ISLAMABAD: Courts Adopt 4-Day Work Weeks Amid Fuel Crisis

In response to escalating energy costs due to international conflicts, Pakistan’s judiciary has implemented a series of austerity measures aimed at conserving resources. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi convened a virtual meeting of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) to discuss these initiatives.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan will observe four-day work weeks from Monday to Thursday as part of the energy conservation strategy, with holidays from Friday to Sunday. Judges and entitled officers will see their Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) allocations reduced by 50 percent to further cut costs. Additionally, video-link facilities are encouraged for proceedings where feasible.

This approach was approved across the judiciary, including the Federal Shariat Court, high courts, district courts, and the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). All these entities will adopt a four-day work week from Monday to Thursday while ensuring urgent judicial functions continue on Fridays and Saturdays. The FSC and high courts are reducing POL allocations by 50 percent for their human resources. Judges serving in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan must maintain security as per circumstances, with no additional protocol or security vehicles deployed during movement within designated zones.

Litigants and counselors are encouraged to participate through video-link facilities, including from high courts and district court premises. The press release emphasized the need for efficient resource use without compromising justice delivery, reflecting the judiciary’s commitment to national resilience amidst challenging global energy costs.

The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has also adopted similar measures with immediate effect, adopting four-day work weeks with holidays on Fridays and Sundays while observing a “maximum reduction” of fuel provision in official vehicles. These strategies underscore the judiciary’s proactive approach to ensuring responsible resource use amid rising energy prices.