Maps
Magazine

POLITICS & POLICY MAKING

Pakistan National Assembly Announces 25% Salary Cut for MNAs Under Austerity Measures
Pakistan’s National Assembly Secretariat announces sweeping austerity steps: 25% salary cut for MNAs, 4-day work week, 70% reduction in electricity and official transport use, and staff rotation with work-from-home policy as the government responds to the global fuel crisis.
ND
by News Desk
2026-03-11
Pakistan National Assembly Announces 25% Salary Cut for MNAs Under Austerity Measures

The National Assembly Secretariat has introduced a series of sweeping austerity and fuel conservation measures aimed at ensuring prudent use of public resources and reducing energy consumption amid ongoing economic challenges.

The steps, announced through a notification issued on Wednesday, include a 25 per cent reduction in salaries and allowances of members of the National Assembly (MNAs) for a period of two months. The decision is part of a broader government-led austerity campaign designed to support the national exchequer during a time of rising fuel costs and global uncertainty.

Under the new policy, only 20 per cent of the Secretariat staff will attend offices physically, while the remaining 80 per cent will perform their duties from home on a rotational basis. Employees working remotely will remain accessible via telephone, email, WhatsApp and other communication tools and may be required to report to the office within one hour if instructed by their reporting officers.

Officials working from home will not receive diet allowances or overtime payments, and employees will not be permitted to leave their station without prior approval from the relevant authority.

The Secretariat has also announced a four-day work week, in line with the federal government’s recent directive. However, the schedule will not apply when the National Assembly is in session.

As part of additional financial contributions to the national treasury, officers in BPS-20 and above or those earning Rs300,000 or more per month will surrender two days’ salary.

The austerity package also includes an immediate suspension of all procurement activities, except for essential day-to-day requirements. Meanwhile, the Secretariat plans to transition toward a paperless working environment to reduce administrative expenses.

Furthermore, foreign visits of parliamentary delegations have been suspended until further notice as part of the cost-saving measures.

Energy and Fuel Conservation

The Secretariat has also launched aggressive energy-saving steps aimed at cutting electricity consumption by up to 70 per cent. This will be achieved by switching off unnecessary lighting and limiting the use of electrical appliances.

Cafeterias operating within the Secretariat will also be required to reduce their utility bills by 70 per cent.

To further conserve electricity, sessions of the National Assembly and meetings of parliamentary committees will be scheduled before sunset whenever possible.

Additionally, the Secretariat will utilise energy produced under the Green Parliament Project to meet a portion of its power requirements and reduce reliance on the national electricity grid.

Fuel conservation measures include a 70 per cent reduction in official transport usage, with only 30 per cent of vehicles remaining operational for essential duties. As a result, the majority of official vehicles will remain grounded during the austerity period.

Standing committees will also be encouraged to hold virtual meetings to minimise travel expenses and fuel consumption, and the number of meetings will be kept to the minimum necessary.

Government-Wide Austerity Drive

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the steps reflect the Secretariat’s commitment to supporting the government’s austerity campaign and ensuring responsible use of public resources.

The measures follow the federal government’s recent announcement of austerity steps in response to the global fuel crisis, which has intensified due to regional tensions and the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Earlier this week, the federal government announced a 50 per cent reduction in fuel allowances for official vehicles for the next two months. Operational vehicles such as ambulances and public buses have been exempted from the cut.

Members of the federal cabinet have also decided to forgo their salaries and allowances for two months as part of the national cost-saving effort.

Officials say these measures are intended to reduce government spending, conserve energy and fuel, and demonstrate solidarity with the public during a period of economic strain.
Tagged:

Pakistan

NationalAssembly

FuelCrisis

AusterityMeasures
Share News: