The Punjab government has decided to close all schools, colleges, and universities across the province due to severe economic pressure stemming from recent regional tensions and the ongoing fuel crisis.
According to the announcement, educational institutions in Punjab will remain closed from March 10 to March 31.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated that although campuses will stay shut during this time, scheduled examinations will still take place. She also said institutions have been instructed to move their teaching activities to online classes during the closure.
Along with the suspension of on campus education, the provincial government has introduced several cost saving measures to reduce fuel consumption within government departments. The chief minister ordered an immediate halt to government fuel allocations for provincial ministers until the petroleum crisis improves.
The government has also reduced petrol and diesel allowances for officials’ vehicles by 50 percent. Moreover, the use of large protocol vehicle convoys that usually accompany ministers and senior officials has been banned.
Under the new rules, ministers and senior officials will be allowed only one escort vehicle and that too strictly for essential security purposes.