Government Weighs ‘Petroleum Smart Lockdown’ to Cut Fuel Consumption
The federal government is reviewing a series of fuel-saving measures as part of a proposed “petroleum smart lockdown” following the recent surge in petroleum prices. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on September 15 to discuss strategies aimed at reducing fuel usage and easing pressure on energy resources.
Among the proposals being considered is the introduction of a four-day workweek for both government and private offices. Under the plan, offices would operate from Monday to Thursday, while Friday, Saturday, and Sunday would be observed as weekly holidays.
Officials are also examining a rotational attendance system for government employees, allowing fewer workers to travel to offices on a daily basis and helping reduce fuel consumption linked to commuting.
In addition, authorities are discussing measures related to commercial activity. These include the possibility of keeping markets closed for up to three days each week or shortening business hours to lower overall energy use.
Another proposal under review involves reducing the use of official vehicles, with plans to keep nearly half of government-owned vehicles off the roads as part of broader cost-cutting and fuel-conservation efforts.
Government officials have emphasized that these measures remain under consideration and no final decision has been made yet. The proposed four-day workweek and other restrictions are still being evaluated before any official announcement is issued.
The discussions come as policymakers look for ways to manage the impact of higher global oil prices while encouraging more efficient use of fuel across the country.
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