Pakistan’s fuel crunch has reached the wedding table, with the government ordering a one-dish limit at marriage functions as part of a new drive to save fuel and cut spending.
The government has banned the purchases of new vehicles, halved fuel allocations for official cars and set earlier closing times for markets, wedding halls and restaurants across the country.
Gyms, sports facilities, IT companies and call centres are among the other exemptions reported by Pakistani media.
When foreign travel cannot be avoided, ministers, advisers and other government representatives have been told to use economy class. Large food spreads are a common feature of weddings across South Asia. Pakistan’s latest austerity order brings marriage functions directly under the fuel and spending curbs. Takeaway and home-delivery services are exempt from the restaurant closing restriction. Essential services, including pharmacies, hospitals, medical laboratories, fuel and CNG stations and EV charging stations, are also exempt from the closing-hour rules. The government has also restricted foreign travel by federal officials for three months. Where representation abroad is considered necessary, Pakistan’s ambassador or high commissioner can represent the country. There are exemptions for certain scholarships, training programmes and courses arranged through official agreements.
Similar measures were introduced during Pakistan’s earlier fuel-saving drive this year. The one-dish restriction is not entirely new. In March, Sindh also moved to restrict wedding menus as part of its austerity measures. The austerity order also stops government departments from buying new vehicles. This is a ban on government vehicle purchases, rather than a nationwide ban on private citizens buying cars.
