The Sindh government has ordered schools to shut for spring break and shifted government offices to a work-from-home model on Fridays as part of a major cost-cutting drive.
Key Highlights
- Schools will observe spring vacations from March 16 to 31.
- Government employees will work from home every Friday.
- Provincial ministers will forgo their salaries for three months.
- Fuel allowance for official vehicles slashed by 50 percent.
- Unnecessary government spending on furniture and travel banned.
New Schedule for Schools and Offices
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced that schools across Sindh will remain closed from March 16 to March 31. During this period, colleges and universities are required to shift to online classes. While regular classes stop, the minister made it clear that any ongoing exams will proceed as planned. For government offices, the routine is changing too. Staff will work from their offices from Monday to Thursday, but Fridays are now designated as work-from-home days to save resources.
Big Cuts in Fuel and Salaries
To deal with the regional economic crisis, the provincial cabinet is tightening its belt. The government has slashed fuel limits for official vehicles by half, a move expected to save nearly 960 million rupees. Additionally, provincial ministers have volunteered to give up their salaries for three months starting in April. The government also plans to cut spending on office supplies like furniture and stationery by 20 percent, aiming for a total saving of 12 billion rupees.
Ban on Luxury and Protocols
The new rules strictly ban the purchase of new luxury vehicles, though essential services like ambulances are exempt. Foreign trips for officials are restricted; if a trip is unavoidable, officials must travel in Economy Class instead of Business Class. Security protocols are also being reviewed. Many ministers, including the Chief Minister, are reducing their security detail to free up police vehicles for public use. Official events and Iftar parties will no longer be held at expensive five-star hotels.
Nationwide Shift to Save Energy
Sindh is not alone in these measures. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has already closed educational institutions on Fridays and Saturdays. Punjab and Balochistan have also introduced similar work-from-home policies and college closures. These steps follow a federal government decision to lower fuel consumption across Pakistan as global prices remain high due to regional conflicts.
These measures are a response to the economic pressure caused by global fuel price hikes and regional tensions. The government aims to redirect the saved funds toward public welfare projects.
