Pakistan Extends Austerity Measures for New Fiscal Year to Control Government Spending

ISLAMABAD:The federal government has decided to continue austerity measures during the current fiscal year as part of its efforts to keep public spending under control.

According to sources, the federal cabinet has approved the extension of the cost-cutting measures, and the Cabinet Division has forwarded the decision to the Ministry of Finance for implementation.

Under the approved measures, **all government posts that have remained vacant for the past three years will be abolished**, while the creation of new positions will remain prohibited.

The government will also maintain its **ban on the purchase of all types of official vehicles**, as well as restrictions on buying machinery and equipment during the current fiscal year.

In addition, the prohibition on **government-funded medical treatment abroad** will remain in place. Restrictions on **non-essential foreign visits at government expense** will also continue as part of the austerity drive.

The Ministry of Finance is expected to issue an official notification in the coming days outlining the continuation of these austerity measures.