Government of Pakistan Announces Ban on Vehicle Purchases, Machinery, and Foreign Visits Amid Austerity Drive-Notification

Government of Pakistan
Finance Division
(Expenditure Wing)

No. 7(1)Exp-IV/2024                                                                        Islamabad, the 4^th September, 2024

Subject:       AUSTERITY MEASURES FOR CONTROLLING EXPENDITURES OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

In pursuance of the Cabinet’s decision for case No. 232/28/2024 dated 27.8.2024, the following Austerity Measures are notified till further orders:-

1. There shall be a complete ban on the following expenditures with respect to the current budget.
2. Purchase of all types of vehicles with the exception of operational vehicles such as ambulances & other medically equipped vehicles, fire fighting vehicles, buses & vans for educational institutions, solid waste vehicles and motorbikes;
3. Procurement of machinery / equipments with the exception of those required for hospitals / laboratories / agriculture / mining / schools;
4. Creation of new posts including contingent paid / temporary posts;
5. Continuation of contingent paid / temporary posts beyond one year;
6. Treatment abroad at Government expense; and
7. All non-obligatory visits abroad where GoP funding is involved.
8. The Austerity Measures notified by the Cabinet Division vide O.M. Nos. 7-1/2023-Min-I and No. 9-148/2002-Min-II dated 28.2.2023 will remain applicable unless modified or withdrawn by the Federal Cabinet.
9. All posts lying vacant for last three years shall be abolished.
10. Purchase of durables and creation of posts under PSDP funded projects shall be exempted from the application of this ban.
11. All Ministries / Divisions are requested to disseminate the above instructions to all departments under their administrative control for strict compliance.

Section Officer (Exp-IV)