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Sindh Announces Austerity Measures, Spring Vacations for Schools and WFH on Fridays
The Sindh government has announced austerity measures amid regional tensions and rising fuel costs. Schools will observe spring vacations from March 16–31, while government offices will work from home on Fridays.
ND
by News Desk
2026-03-10
Sindh Announces Austerity Measures, Spring Vacations for Schools and WFH on Fridays

The government of Sindh on Tuesday unveiled a series of austerity measures aimed at reducing fuel consumption and limiting economic pressures amid ongoing regional tensions and the global fuel crisis.

The announcement was made during a press conference by Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, who outlined several cost-cutting steps including school holidays, work-from-home policies for government offices, and reductions in official expenditures.

Spring vacations for schools

According to the minister, all schools across the province will observe spring vacations from March 16 to March 31. However, educational activities at the higher level will continue in a modified format.

“Colleges and universities will shift to online classes during this period,” Memon said, adding that ongoing examinations will not be postponed.

Government offices to work from home on Fridays

The minister clarified that government operations would not be suspended on Fridays as some reports suggested.

Instead, government officials will follow a work-from-home (WFH) policy on Fridays, while regular office work will continue from Monday to Thursday.

“Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday you will work in the office, while Friday will be work from home,” he explained.

Fuel reduction and salary sacrifice

The Sindh cabinet has also decided to significantly reduce fuel usage by government departments.

Fuel allocations for official vehicles will be cut by 50 percent, a move expected to save around Rs960 million.

In addition, provincial ministers have agreed to forgo their salaries for three months from April to June, Memon announced.

The provincial government may also propose a similar measure for lawmakers in the Sindh Assembly, though the final decision will rest with the speaker and members of the assembly.

Ban on unnecessary government spending

To further curb expenditures, the government has decided to reduce non-essential spending such as furniture and stationery purchases by 20 percent, which is expected to save approximately Rs12 billion.

A complete ban has also been placed on purchasing new government vehicles or equipment, except in essential sectors such as ambulances and law enforcement vehicles.

Officials will also face restrictions on foreign travel.

“Unnecessary foreign visits will not be allowed. If an official visit is necessary, only Economy Class travel will be permitted,” the minister said.

Security protocols and official perks curtailed

The cabinet has also decided to withdraw unnecessary security protocols provided by the government and Sindh Police to certain individuals.

According to Memon, the law minister has been tasked with immediately reviewing and withdrawing security arrangements from those who do not have genuine security threats.

He noted that some former caretaker ministers and committee members had been using official security unnecessarily, calling it an unfortunate “status symbol”.

Ban on government-funded events

The provincial government has also decided to eliminate several ceremonial expenditures.

No Iftar parties will be held using government funds, and official events will not be organised at five-star hotels but rather at government buildings.

Memon also stated that ministers would avoid attending such events as part of the austerity campaign.

Additionally, refreshments funded by government expenses will be banned in all offices for two months after Ramazan.

CM’s plane to remain grounded

Responding to a question during the press conference, the minister said the chief minister’s aircraft would remain grounded during the current period.

He clarified that the plane had been purchased during the tenure of a previous chief minister.

Coordination with federal austerity policy

Memon emphasised that the provincial government fully supports the austerity measures announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the federal level.

The federal government recently introduced several steps to conserve fuel amid the global energy crisis linked to the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

These include a 50 percent reduction in fuel allowances for official vehicles and a decision by federal cabinet members to forego their salaries for two months.

Other provinces announce fuel-saving steps

Meanwhile, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also introduced fuel-saving measures.

According to a notification issued by the provincial higher education department, universities, degree-awarding institutions and colleges across the province will remain closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Educational institutions have also been advised to adopt hybrid or online teaching modes during the remaining working days where possible.

Similar energy-saving measures have also been announced by the governments of Punjab and Balochistan, including work-from-home policies for government offices and adjustments in educational schedules.

Officials say the measures are intended to reduce fuel consumption and protect the public from the economic impact of rising energy prices during the ongoing regional crisis.
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sindh

FuelCrisis

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