Islamabad, March 16, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to monitor and audit the implementation of the national austerity and fuel conservation plan across all government institutions.
According to a Cabinet Division notification issued on Monday, the IB will conduct a “comprehensive audit and validation exercise, including impact assessment, with respect to all fuel conservation and additional austerity measures.” The bureau is required to submit weekly reports to the Prime Minister and the Committee for Monitoring and Implementation of Fuel Conservation and Additional Austerity Measures.
The national austerity plan, announced by PM Shehbaz on March 9, aims to manage rising fuel costs amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict in the Middle East. Measures include reducing government expenditures, adopting a four-day working week, limiting non-essential official travel, and cutting salaries for federal officials and parliamentarians. Members of the federal cabinet, advisers, and special assistants will forego salaries for the next two months, while lawmakers face a 25% salary reduction.
Sources said the IB has also been tasked with monitoring implementation of the austerity plan within the National Assembly and Senate secretariats. Immediate action will be taken against officers found violating the measures.
The notification follows a review meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, in which he emphasized that economic stability and public relief remain the government’s top priorities. PM Shehbaz instructed petroleum distribution companies to ensure the sale of petroleum products at government-determined prices while maintaining transparency.
During the meeting, officials briefed the Prime Minister on Pakistan’s existing oil reserves, petroleum imports, and ongoing efforts to maintain uninterrupted supply. A new feature in the Pak App now allows consumers to report fuel shortages or overpricing directly to authorities, prompting immediate action.
Participants welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision last Friday to hold petroleum prices steady, offering relief to consumers during the energy crisis.
The review meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
