Pakistan shuts schools for two weeks amid oil crisis; Sharif
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Monday that Pakistani schools will close and many offices must operate only four days a week as the country faces severe petrol shortages linked to regional conflict. The move follows sharp rises in diesel prices, which have made inflation highly sensitive given Pakistan's heavy reliance on imported energy supplies for daily needs such as cooking oil and transport fuel.
Key Points
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1Pakistan has announced school closures lasting two weeks to reduce fuel consumption amid rising oil prices.
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2The government is implementing a four-day workweek for public offices and reducing official vehicle allowances as austerity measures.
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3Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated these steps are necessary due to the sharp increase in petrol costs caused by regional conflicts, including those involving Iran.
Developments
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced measures to reduce fuel consumption, including closing all schools for the next two weeks and shifting college education online. Additionally, government offices will operate only four days a week with half of their staff working from home due to rising international oil prices caused by regional conflicts in Iran; banks remain open while other departments face strict petrol quotas over six months.