AJK goes with federal government austerity measures to reduce fuel consumption

An extraordinary meeting of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet was held here Wednesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore

MUZAFFARABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Mar, 2026) An extraordinary meeting of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet was held here Wednesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore.

The meeting ratified the Federal government’s decisions taken in response to the evolving regional and global situation. While appreciating the austerity measures taken by the federal government, the AJK cabinet also approved several austerity measures to be implemented with immediate effect.

To reduce the consumption of fuel, it was decided that the use of petrol and diesel in vehicles of all government departments would be reduced by 50 percent for the next two months.?As part of the austerity scheme, ministers, advisors, and special assistants will not draw "special salaries" for the next two months, while the salaries of the MLA will be reduced by 25 percent.

According to the cabinet decision, senior government officers in Grade 20 and above with monthly salaries exceeding 300,000 rupees will contribute their four days’ salary, which will be utilized for public relief. Furthermore, other government expenditures will also be reduced by 20 percent.

The meeting also imposed a temporary ban on the procurement of furniture, air conditioners, and similar items in government departments. Any essential procurement will require prior approval from the cabinet.?Meanwhile, foreign visits by ministers, advisors, special assistants, and government officers of Azad Kashmir have also been completely banned.

Government departments have been directed to prioritize teleconferencing and online meetings in order to save fuel.

To reduce government expenditures, a one-dish policy will be implemented for official dinners and iftar gatherings, whereas conferences will be held at government venues instead of hotels. Moreover, to conserve fuel, except for essential services, 50 percent of the staff in both public and private institutions will work from home, and offices will remain open only four days a week. However, the decision will not apply to banks.

The meeting also decided that all schools will observe a two-week holiday starting at the end of this week and will remain closed until March 3. However, higher education institutions will begin online classes according to the resources available.

The cabinet also approved 2 billion rupees for the purchase of health infrastructure in view of the needs of the health department. In addition, risk allowance was approved for the field staff and field officers of Rescue 1122.

The cabinet through a unanimous resolution paid tribute to the services of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the ongoing war against terrorism. The cabinet condemned in strong terms the external aggression against Iran.

Earlier, prayers were offered for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs of the Pakistan Armed Forces, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the Kashmiri martyrs who laid down their lives during the ongoing freedom movement.