Pakistan Railways suspends house building advances

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi has ordered a series of austerity measures at Pakistan Railways to curb unnecessary expenditure and strengthen financial discipline.   According to the Ministry of Railways, no officer or employee of Pakistan Railways will be granted a house building advance until Dec. 31, 2026.   The disbursement of house building advance loans has been suspended for the period as part of the measures aimed at controlling institutional expenditure.   The railway minister has also decided to ban official foreign visits by all Pakistan Railways officers and employees, including himself.   Abbasi directed the railway administration to immediately implement the government's austerity measures and ensure the efficient use of available resources.   He stressed the need to prevent unnecessary spending and improve financial discipline across the national institution.   According to the ministry, strict implementation of austerity measures will continue at Pakistan Railways, with particular attention being given to reducing avoidable expenses and ensuring better utilisation of available resources.   The measures follow recent austerity directives issued by the prime minister, which include restrictions on government expenditure and efforts to reduce unnecessary official foreign travel.