National Assembly Secretariat Introduces New Cost-Cutting Measures, 50% Staff to Work From Home
Islamabad: The National Assembly Secretariat has announced a fresh set of austerity measures aimed at reducing government spending, with immediate effect.
Under the new policy, half of the Secretariat’s employees will continue working from their offices, while the remaining 50% will perform their duties remotely from home. Officials working remotely will be required to stay accessible through phone calls, emails, and WhatsApp during office hours and must be able to report to the office within one hour if needed.
According to the notification, employees working from home will not be eligible for overtime payments or daily allowances during the period of remote work.
As part of broader efforts to control expenses, fuel allocations for official vehicles have been reduced by 50% for the next three months. The Secretariat has also imposed a temporary ban on the purchase of new government vehicles.
The notification further states that the procurement of durable goods has been suspended, although essential information technology equipment will remain exempt from the restriction.
Foreign travel and official overseas visits funded by the government have also been put on hold for three months. However, scholarship programs and training opportunities sponsored by international development partners will continue as usual. Official dinners have likewise been restricted, with exceptions only for events involving foreign delegations.
In addition, government-funded seminars, conferences, and training workshops have been suspended. Departments have been instructed to use existing government facilities, including auditoriums and committee rooms, whenever official gatherings are necessary.
The Secretariat has also decided to accelerate its transition toward a paperless work environment as part of its strategy to reduce operational costs and improve efficiency.
Officials say the new measures are designed to promote financial discipline and reduce unnecessary expenditures, with all directives taking effect immediately.
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