KARACHI: (HRNW) Following the federal government’s lead, the Sindh cabinet has officially notified a series of drastic austerity measures to combat the surging energy crisis and fuel shortages triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict. Under the new directives, a four-day working week has been enforced across the province, with government offices operating from Monday to Thursday. Fridays will now be observed as mandatory work-from-home (WFH) days, effectively creating a three-day weekend for physical office attendance.
The provincial government has introduced the following key measures:
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Fuel & Vehicle Restrictions: Fuel quotas for all government vehicles have been slashed by 50%. Additionally, 60% of the government fleet will be grounded for the next two months, and a complete ban on the purchase of new official vehicles has been imposed until June 2026.
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Salary & Benefit Sacrifices: In a show of solidarity, provincial ministers will forgo their salaries and allowances for the next three months. Grade 20 and above officers have also been requested to voluntarily surrender two days’ worth of their salaries.
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Educational Shift: All schools in Sindh will observe Spring Vacations from March 16 to March 31, while colleges and universities have been directed to shift to 100% online classes during this period.
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Public & Private Sector Coordination: The private sector is also required to adopt the four-day work week, with a directive for 50% of staff to work from home. Essential services, including hospitals and banks, remain exempt.
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Ban on Events: A strict ban has been placed on government-funded dinners, official Iftar parties, and refreshments in offices. All official meetings are to be conducted online via video link to save energy and travel costs.
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Wedding Regulations: To further conserve resources, wedding ceremonies are now restricted to a maximum of 200 guests with a “one-dish” policy strictly enforced.
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