Pakistan on Monday announced a series of austerity measures aimed at curbing fuel consumption, including temporarily closing schools, cutting government fuel allocations and a four-day work week in public offices, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East threatens energy supplies.Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said measures had been taken to conserve fuel and manage potential supply disruptions linked to the regional conflict, according to Reuters.In a televised speech, Sharif announced that all schools across the country will remain closed for two weeks starting March 16, while universities and other higher education institutions will switch to online classes with immediate effect.The government will also reduce fuel allowances for government departments.Sharif said: “In the next two months, government departments will receive a 50% reduction in fuel allocations.”To further reduce fuel use, the government will allow half of its employees to work remotely.Sharif said, “Government offices will work four days a week to save fuel, and the decision excludes banks.”Under the plan, 50% of government employees will work from home, while public offices will work four days a week, with banks exempt from this arrangement.
According to Reuters, these measures are part of Pakistan’s efforts to reduce fuel consumption as the conflict in the Middle East threatens to disrupt global energy flows and raise oil prices.Pakistan relies heavily on imported fuel, making it particularly vulnerable to global energy shocks. The government’s latest steps are aimed at reducing domestic demand and managing fuel supplies during the ongoing regional crisis.
