In a major push for energy conservation, the federal government has officially designated Friday, March 13, 2026, as the first day of a newly expanded three-day weekend. This directive follows the National Austerity Plan aimed at reducing the national fuel and electricity bill by billions of rupees as the regional war continues to strain global energy markets.
Implementation and Enforcement
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has moved beyond mere recommendations, ordering “strict enforcement” and photographic evidence of compliance.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister announced an additional weekly holiday on Friday to further support energy-saving efforts. He emphasized that the government is making every effort to maintain economic stability despite global challenges.
Read More: https://t.co/Rosymwf0EL pic.twitter.com/hJtPaZEWUa— ProPakistani (@ProPakistaniPK) March 10, 2026
- Vehicle Grounding: Ministries must send photos of grounded official vehicles to the Cabinet Division to prove they are not being used during the 3-day weekend.
- Daily Monitoring: Deputy PM Ishaq Dar will chair daily meetings to ensure that the 4-day workweek (Monday–Thursday) is strictly followed.
- Work-from-Home (WFH): Ministries must submit detailed reports on how they are facilitating the 50% WFH mandate to ensure productivity doesn’t drop.
Banking and Essential Services: The Exceptions
While the rest of the bureaucracy shuts down to save power, the financial and emergency sectors will keep the country running:
- Banks: All commercial banks in across Pakistan will remain open on Friday, March 13, as they are exempt from the energy-saving workweek.
- Hospitals: DHQ and Allied Hospital emergency services will operate at 100% capacity.
- Security: Police and law enforcement will maintain a 24/7 presence.
Technology vs. Physical Presence
While the rest of the government is staying home, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been directed to focus on “Automated Monitoring Systems.”
- Current Sectors: Sugar, cement, cigarettes, and fertilizers are already under digital watch.
- New Sectors: Monitoring is being expanded to textiles, leather, and automobiles to ensure tax collection remains high even during the 4-day workweek.
“We are making every possible effort to keep the economy stable. Third-party audits will ensure that our energy conservation is transparent and effective.” — Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister.
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