Pakistan Supreme Court to Lift Austerity Measures from June 15, 2026
The Supreme Court of Pakistan announced on Friday its decision to lift austerity measures, effective June 15, 2026. These measures, imposed on March 10, 2026, included four-day work weeks for courts and a 50 percent reduction in fuel allocations for judges and entitled officers, in response to disruptions in petroleum supplies amid an Iran-US conflict and a broader energy crisis. The National Judicial Policy Making Committee also decided that the district judiciary could revert to a six-day working week, citing an eased-out situation.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan announced on Friday that it would lift the austerity measures previously imposed on March 10, 2026. These measures, which included the implementation of four-day work weeks for the country's courts and a 50 percent reduction in the monthly ceiling for Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) allocated to judges and entitled officers, will cease to be effective from June 15, 2026.
The initial imposition of these measures was attributed to disruptions in petroleum supplies amid an ongoing Iran-US conflict. The decision to withdraw the notification dated March 10, 2026, was made with the approval of Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi.
Separately, the government had announced broader austerity measures on March 9, 2026, following a Middle East war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which contributed to a global energy crisis. Various institutions, including the National Assembly and the Senate, had subsequently adopted similar policies.
Earlier on Thursday, the 60th meeting of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC), presided over by the Chief Justice, considered proposals from the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and the Lahore High Court (LHC). These proposals sought a reconsideration of the policy observing three weekly holidays in the district judiciary, which was part of the Judicial Austerity and Energy Conservation Strategy approved in the NJPMC's 58th meeting.
The committee acknowledged the support of the federal government and reviewed an eased-out situation conveyed through the secretary of the law ministry. Consequently, the NJPMC decided that the district judiciary could revert to a six-day working week, aligning with the schedule prior to the implementation of the Judicial Austerity and Energy Conservation Strategy. However, the committee urged high courts to continue implementing appropriate resource management and energy-saving measures to ensure the smooth administration of justice.
According to Dawn Pakistan, the Supreme Court's decision reflects an adjustment to the country's energy conservation efforts.
