Muhammad Saleem Memon, President of the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry (HCSTSI), has urged the Government of Pakistan to convert the recently launched austerity drive from a temporary measure into a permanent national policy, enabling a sustainable and effective solution to the country’s economic, energy, food, and environmental challenges.
In a communication addressed to Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, President Memon highlighted that Pakistan’s economy requires structural reforms rather than short-term interventions. Official data from the State Bank of Pakistan and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics indicate persistent fiscal deficits, reliance on imports, and continued pressure on foreign exchange reserves, while inefficient energy usage is driving unnecessary increases in electricity demand.
President HCSTSI emphasised that Pakistan is counted among the countries most vulnerable to climate risks, according to the Global Climate Risk Index, and that rapid population growth is placing additional pressure on national resources. The World Bank has also reported that climate-change-related losses are significantly burdening the economy. At the same time, food wastage at social events remains a serious concern, despite food shortages in several sectors of the country. He made it clear that temporary austerity measures alone will not deliver lasting results. The government is therefore urged to immediately curtail non-essential expenditures, including luxury privileges, protocol, and excessive resource use, to establish fiscal discipline.
Business and commercial activities should be limited to daylight hours to reduce energy consumption. HCSTSI recommends that markets close between 7:00 and 8:00 PM, while marriage halls, hotels, restaurants, and other events conclude by 10:00 and 11:00 PM. Similarly, social functions should follow a one-dish policy, with limited guest numbers and defined timings to prevent food wastage. Any surplus food should be repurposed through value-added products, by-products, or exports to generate additional foreign exchange.
President Memon also stressed the importance of improving and incentivising public transport to reduce reliance on private vehicles, thereby cutting fuel consumption and easing economic pressure. Additionally, urgent and effective measures must be implemented to manage population growth, as unchecked demographic expansion can undermine economic development and exacerbate agricultural losses.
He underlined the need for integrated strategies to address climate change, including efficient water use, energy conservation, and improvements to urban environments. HCSTSI emphasised that the austerity campaign should be formalised as a permanent national policy, backed by legal frameworks, monitoring systems, and strict penalties for non-compliance. Reducing food wastage will not only meet domestic needs but also strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves through value-added products and exports.
President Memon called on the relevant ministries to issue policy notifications as soon as possible, ensure strict implementation, and establish an effective monitoring and reporting system to guarantee measurable results.
