The Higher Education Commission on Thursday notified a four-day thworkweek for universities across the country, in line with the government’s austerity drive to conserve fuel amid a global energy crisis triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran.
In the notification, the HEC announced four working days for all public and private universities — from Monday to Thursday.
It added that universities would remain closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education announced that there will be no physical classes in educational institutions, including schools falling under the HEC or the federal administration, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
However, sources familiar with the matter said universities and public institutions may conduct online classes on Fridays.
In the wake of ongoing Middle East conflict, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier today said that Pakistan was being significantly affected by the ongoing war and was facing economic challenges as a result.
He said the government was making efforts to reduce tensions and promote peace.
Speaking during a special high-level meeting, the primer siad the government was making efforts to reduce tensions and promote peace.
The more than a month-long war between the US, Israel and Iran began on February 28 and has plunged the Middle East into turmoil.
Soon after the initial US-Israel strikes on Iran, Tehran blocked the Strait of Hormuz — a key shipping route — and launched retaliatory attacks on Israel and US bases across the region.
The premier had last month had announced a wide-ranging austerity and savings plan, saying the measures were necessary to deal with the prevailing global fuel crisis.
The measures come as Pakistan, similar to other global economies, is facing fuel supply constraints due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for the movement of fuel supplies around the world.
Major oil-producing countries reported hurdles in supplying fuel to buyers after Iran began retaliating against US bases in the Middle East.
With supply routes disrupted, Pakistan had announced a 20% increase in the price of petrol and diesel, leading to austerity and simplicity measures across the country.
