The Government of Sindh has announced the closure of schools from March 16 to March 31 and introduced a series of austerity measures to conserve fuel amid growing instability in the Middle East.
Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said schools across the province would observe spring holidays during the period, while colleges and universities would continue classes online. However, examinations scheduled by schools will take place as planned.
The move follows similar steps announced by Shehbaz Sharif’s federal government to reduce fuel consumption and limit public spending.
Under the provincial austerity plan, ministers in Sindh will forgo their salaries and allowances for three months from April to June. The cabinet has also decided to cut fuel allocations for government vehicles by 50 percent, a measure expected to save around Rs960 million.
In addition, the provincial government will reduce unnecessary expenditures by 20 percent, including purchases of furniture and stationery, which officials estimate could save about Rs12 billion. A ban has also been placed on buying new government vehicles except for essential services.
Officials said government employees will continue to work from Monday to Thursday, while Fridays will be observed as work-from-home days.
The measures come as global fuel supply routes face disruption around the Strait of Hormuz following escalating tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Despite the situation, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has said the country currently maintains comfortable petroleum stock levels and that supply chains remain stable, with several oil shipments expected to arrive in Pakistan during the week.
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