The Punjab government has announced the closure of educational institutions and several fuel conservation measures as Pakistan faces economic pressure due to the ongoing global oil crisis. The decision was made under the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz following a sharp rise in petroleum prices triggered by supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
According to the official announcement, all schools, colleges, and universities in Punjab will remain closed from March 10 to March 31. While physical classes will remain suspended during this period, institutions have been allowed to continue online learning, and scheduled examinations will proceed as planned.
The move comes as Pakistan and many other countries experience challenges in fuel supplies after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transport routes. With global oil shipments affected, Pakistan recently implemented a 20 percent increase in petrol and diesel prices, prompting authorities to introduce austerity and fuel saving policies across the country.
As part of the provincial measures, Punjab ministers will no longer receive government fuel allowances until the energy situation stabilises. In addition, government officials will face a 50 percent reduction in fuel allocations, significantly limiting the use of official vehicles.
Authorities have also reduced the number of protocol vehicles accompanying ministers to a single vehicle for essential security purposes. Government offices across the province will adopt a work from home policy, allowing only essential staff to attend offices physically.
Several public activities have also been suspended to reduce fuel consumption. The government has postponed outdoor events, public gatherings, and cultural programmes, including the well known Horses and Cattle Show.
To ensure better fuel monitoring, the provincial administration will establish district level petroleum monitoring committees. The Punjab Information Technology Board has also been tasked with developing a digital tracking system to monitor the movement of petroleum products across the province.
Officials said these steps are necessary to manage the Punjab oil crisis and ensure that available fuel resources are used responsibly while the global energy situation remains uncertain.
