Pakistan, March 11 -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed all federal ministries and divisions to strictly implement the government's austerity and energy conservation measures, emphasizing that Pakistan must ensure economic stability despite the prevailing regional and global challenges.

Chairing a review meeting at the Prime Minister's House on the implementation of the government's announced austerity and energy-saving initiatives, the prime minister approved making Friday the weekly additional holiday as part of the broader strategy to conserve energy and reduce government expenditures.

Addressing the meeting, the prime minister said the government was making every possible effort to keep the national economy stable despite diff...