The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has prohibited any further purchases of official vehicles after recently adding more than 1,000 new cars to its fleet.

The decision comes as the government begins enforcing strict austerity measures aimed at reducing public spending and conserving resources.

Under directives issued as part of the cost-cutting campaign led by Shehbaz Sharif, 60 percent of government vehicles will be taken off the road, while fuel expenditures are to be reduced by half. In addition, up to 50 percent of staff will work remotely to lower operational costs.

Employees from BS-1 to BS-16 will follow a staff rotation system, while senior officials in BS-20 and above have been requested to voluntarily give up two days’ salary.

The government has also ordered a 20 percent reduction in non-employee related expenditure (Non-ERE) across departments.

To ensure implementation, an oversight committee has been established to monitor compliance. Government departments, including all FBR offices, have been instructed to submit weekly progress reports confirming adherence to the austerity measures.