Intelligence Bureau to Monitor Govt Austerity Measures as Fuel Costs Rise

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to oversee enforcement of a nationwide austerity plan across government institutions, stepping up efforts to conserve fuel as rising oil prices strain the economy.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division of Pakistan on Monday, the IB has been assigned to conduct a comprehensive audit and validation exercise of fuel conservation and other austerity measures implemented by federal entities.

The bureau will also carry out an impact assessment of the measures and submit weekly reports to the prime minister as well as to a government committee overseeing the implementation of fuel conservation and austerity policies.

The monitoring directive follows the government’s announcement of a broad austerity program earlier this month, introduced in response to rising global energy prices triggered by tensions linked to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

In a national address on March 9, Sharif said the government had taken difficult economic and administrative decisions to contain the impact of the energy crisis and stabilize the economy. The plan requires both federal and provincial governments to adopt strict austerity and reduce non-essential spending and fuel consumption.

Key measures include cutting government expenditures, reducing the official workweek to four days and limiting non-essential travel.

The PM also announced that members of the federal cabinet, advisers and special assistants would forgo their salaries for two months, while lawmakers would face a 25% salary reduction during the same period.

IB has also been instructed to monitor compliance with the austerity plan within the secretariats of the National Assembly of Pakistan and the Senate of Pakistan.

Authorities said disciplinary action would be taken against officials found violating the austerity and fuel conservation measures.

The decision to assign the IB as a monitoring authority followed a review meeting chaired by the prime minister to assess the enforcement of the austerity plan.

During the meeting, Sharif reiterated that economic stability and public relief remain the government’s top priorities and said the administration was prepared to respond to any challenges arising from ongoing global tensions.