ISLAMABAD: Even as the federal government continues to trumpet its austerity drive — enforcing bans on new vehicles, curbing official visits, and re‑enacting old laws to project fiscal discipline — official figures reveal a sharp surge in fuel expenditure, deepening public frustration over the absence of relief for ordinary citizens.
Media reports quoted budget documents showing the government’s annual fuel bill jumped to nearly Rs22 billion in fiscal year 2025, marking a 39 per cent increase over the previous year.
The spike came despite the introduction of a car monetisation policy that provides cash allowances to senior bureaucrats in lieu of official transport. The escalation occurred even before the Middle East war disrupted global oil markets, raising questions about the credibility of Islamabad’s austerity narrative.
The revelation stands in stark contrast to repeated notifications extending austerity measures — from four‑day work weeks to bans on lavish spending — and high‑profile actions such as the seizure of official vehicles in Balochistan.
Yet while ministries and departments are ordered to tighten belts, the state’s own fuel consumption continues to swell, leaving citizens to bear the brunt of rising petroleum levies and daily price adjustments.
Critics argue the contradiction exposes a widening gap between rhetoric and reality: the elite remain cushioned with allowances and perks, while the common people face relentless inflation, transport strikes, and threats of pump closures.
Observers warn that without genuine restraint at the top, austerity measures risk being seen as symbolic gestures that fail to ease the economic burden on households.
