Prabowo Outlines Pakistan's Cost-Cutting Measures: Ministerial and Parliamentary Salaries Cut, Four-Day Work Week
JAKARTA — President Prabowo Subianto revealed the Pakistani government’s drastic steps to reduce state expenditure amid global upheaval. From salary cuts for ministers to restrictions on official vehicle usage, various austerity measures were cited as examples Indonesia should consider given rising global oil prices.
Prabowo disclosed this whilst presiding over a full Cabinet meeting at the State Palace on Friday, 13 March 2026. The cabinet meeting extensively discussed government mitigation steps to address the impact of conflict in the Middle East, which is driving up global energy prices.
In his remarks, Prabowo highlighted the austerity policies implemented by the Pakistani government, including salary reductions for senior state officials.
“They even reduced salaries for cabinet members, for members of parliament,” Prabowo said.
Funds saved through these measures were then redirected to assist the most vulnerable segments of society.
Prabowo stated that Pakistan’s austerity measures extended beyond official salary cuts. The government also slashed various operational expenditures across ministries.
One approach involved reducing fuel supplies across all ministries. Additionally, the government prohibited 60 per cent of vehicles from being used at any given time.
Air conditioning usage was also restricted. Purchases of new vehicles and equipment purchases across government institutions were suspended indefinitely.
“They halted all overseas visits, then they reduced [spending], not allowing government funds to be used for festive events and the like,” Prabowo said.
Prabowo mentioned that several universities in the country shifted lectures from face-to-face to online systems. Schools were also given a two-week holiday coinciding with Eid al-Fitr.
In the labour sector, the government requested that some employees work from home. Both civil servants and private sector employees were asked to implement remote work systems.
“50 per cent work from home, then their working days were cut to just four days,” Prabowo stated.
The former Defence Minister assessed that Pakistan’s approach could serve as a reference for the Indonesian government in addressing global geopolitical uncertainty.
According to Prabowo, the government needs to maintain fiscal discipline by restraining consumption and reducing budget deficits.
“I believe in two or three years we will be very strong, but we still need to economise on consumption,” Prabowo said.