March 10, 2026 | 11:32 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced a series of measures intended to curb fuel consumption and reduce government spending amid economic strain caused by the US-Israel war with Iran.
The steps will affect schools, public services, and government workers.
Schools close as universities move online
Schools across Pakistan are scheduled to close for two weeks starting next Monday, a move that would affect roughly 40 million students in a nation of about 250 million. The government said colleges and universities will shift to online classes during the same period.
According to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, authorities also announced a ban on dinner parties for iftar, the sunset meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan.
Government offices, excluding banks, are expected to scale back operations to four days a week. Half of all public employees will work from home.
Government workers and austerity measures
Fuel allocations for official vehicles will be cut in half for two months, with exceptions for ambulances and public buses, Radio Pakistan reported.
Sharif also said cabinet ministers and advisers will forgo their salaries and allowances, while members of federal and provincial legislatures are expected to take voluntary pay cuts of 25%. Officials further announced a suspension of new official vehicle purchases until June 2026.
Surge of global oil affects the country
As the US-Israel war with Iran disrupts global energy supplies, Pakistan has raised petrol and diesel prices by 55 rupees ($0.20, €0.18) per liter, the largest single increase on record. Because the country imports most of its energy, inflation is particularly sensitive to swings in global fuel prices.
"To stabilize the economy, we have taken difficult decisions," Prime Minister Sharif said in a televised address to the nation. He said the government aims to minimize the burden on citizens, although it has little control over global fuel prices.
Read: Thailand, Vietnam Push Remote Work as Iran War Disrupts Fuel Supply
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Foreign Ministry: Prabowo to Visit Iran to De-escalate Tensions
4 hari lalu
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs suppoerted President Prabowo's plan to travel directly to Iran, to help de-escalate tensions.
Prabowo, Pakistan PM Discuss Iran Visit to Curb Tensions
4 hari lalu
President Prabowo Subianto spoke by phone with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about plans to visit Tehran, Iran.
Pakistan Claims Dozens of Afghan Taliban Troops Killed
6 hari lalu
Cross-border fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan has entered its fifth day.
Pakistan Imposes Curfew After Deadly Iran Protests
7 hari lalu
Pakistan has deployed the military and imposed a three-day curfew following deadly protests against the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
Afghan Taliban Reportedly Target Pakistani Jets Over Kabul
8 hari lalu
The Taliban say they engaged Pakistani jets in the skies over Kabul as the fighting between the Pakistani military and the Afghan militants continues.
Pakistan: Several Killed in Violent Protest at US Consulate
8 hari lalu
Several people have been killed at protests outside the US consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.
Indonesia Supports Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Talks
10 hari lalu
Indonesia urges Pakistan and Afghanistan to seek peaceful solutions and dialogue to ease armed conflicts at the border.
Pakistan Says at 'Open War' with Afghanistan Amid Clashes
11 hari lalu
Explosions were reported in Kabul after Afghan forces launched a border offensive late Thursday. Fresh clashes are also being reported.
Afghan Taliban Attacks Met with Pakistani Strikes on Kabul
11 hari lalu
The Taliban claimed to have captured several Pakistani checkpoints in border areas, killing and capturing soldiers.
Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan Leave 17 Dead
16 hari lalu
Afghanistan's Defense Ministry said Pakistani attacks hit a school and homes, killing and wounding dozens of people.
