MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Thursday abolished the weekly Friday holiday in all governmental departments, effective from tomorrow, April 24, 2026.
According to the notification, “the President of AJK has approved that Friday will be a Working Day in all Government Departments of AJ&K with immediate effect.”
Earlier last month, the Azad Kashmir government had declared Friday a holiday for government departments as part of the austerity measures to save fuel and electricity due to the ongoing regional tensions.
A meeting of the AJK Cabinet was held on March 11 under the chairmanship of PM AJK Faisal Mumtaz Rathore to discuss various austerity measures amid economic challenges.
The cabinet decided to reduce the consumption of petrol and diesel by 50% in all government departments’ vehicles for the next two months under the austerity policy issued by the federal government, so that oil can be saved.
Austerity measures imposed
As per the austerity measures, the government’s ministers, advisors, and special assistants will not draw salaries for the next two months. 25% will be deducted from the salaries of members of the assembly.
The four days’ salary of government officers in grade 20 and above whose salary is more than three lakhs will be deducted and used to provide public relief.
In addition, other expenses are also being reduced by 20%. It was decided in the meeting that the furniture in government departments.
The government had also imposed a complete ban on the purchase of air conditioners and similar items; cabinet approval will be mandatory before any necessary purchase; there will be a complete ban on foreign visits of ministers, advisors, assistants, and officers of Azad Kashmir.
Teleconferencing and online meetings will be preferred in all government departments so that fuel savings can be made possible, one dish will be ensured at official dinners and iftar parties, conferences will be held at official places instead of hotels to reduce government expenses, and steps have also been taken in all government and private institutions to save fuel.
Except for the most essential services and sectors, 50 percent of the staff in all government and private institutions will work from home, it was decided in the cabinet meeting that offices will open only four days a week, and an additional holiday is being given to save fuel; however, this will not apply to banks.
