Islamabad: The government in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province announced on Tuesday that it would close schools from Mar. 16-31 and implement new austerity measures such as slashing fuel for government vehicles, as Islamabad aims to conserve fuel amid rising instability in the Middle East.
The development takes place a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced austerity measures by the federal government on Monday. These measures include a four-day work week for offices and the government slashing its expenditures. The prime minister said all schools will be closed for two weeks, urging higher education institutions to shift classes online.
Pakistan is scrambling to take these measures as global fuel supply lines remain disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz, which supplies nearly a fourth of world oil consumption, after Tehran blocked it following US-Israeli strikes against it and counterattacks against US military bases in the Gulf.
“Schools will observe spring holidays from Mar. 16-31,” Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon told reporters during a press conference. “While colleges and universities will shift classes online.”
The minister clarified that tests scheduled by schools would be held on time and not delayed due to the closures.
