‘Blackout’ like situation in Pakistan: Schools closed due to oil crisis, 4 days work in offices and salary cut.

Islamabad, Bureau. The worst blow of the ongoing Iran-Israel war in the Middle East has fallen on the neighboring country Pakistan. Pakistan’s economy has completely collapsed due to oil supply disruption and skyrocketing prices. Seeing the seriousness of the situation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced several tough and historic decisions in his address to the nation on Monday (9 March 2026). To save the country from “war-like emergency”, systems like work-from-home (WFH) and four-day work week (only 4 days of work a week) have been implemented in Pakistan. Strict rules to save oil: 80% government vehicles closed. Prime Minister Sharif made it clear that Pakistan’s energy needs are completely dependent on the oil coming from Gulf countries. The following steps have been taken to deal with the supply disruption due to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz: Government vehicles: 80% of government vehicles have been ground to a halt for the next two months. Only essential services like ambulance and public buses have been exempted. Fuel Allowance: The fuel allowance of government officials has been reduced by 50%. Offices and schools locked: 50% staff will work from home. To reduce fuel consumption in the country, restrictions have also been imposed on public life: Schools-Colleges: Two weeks of holidays have been announced in schools across Pakistan. Instructions have been given to higher educational institutions to start online classes. Working days: Government offices will now open only four days a week. Work-from-home: 50% of the employees of other departments, except essential services, will work from home. Salary cut: Cabinet will not take salary. To reduce the financial burden, Shahbaz Sharif cut government expenditure by 20% by adopting the formula of ‘simple life’. Is: Cabinet: Federal Cabinet ministers will not take any salary for the next two months. MPs: The salary of MPs has been cut by 25%. Officers: Two days’ salary of Grade-20 officers earning more than Rs 3 lakh will be deducted. Wasteful expenditure: There has been a complete ban on purchasing new furniture, vehicles or ACs in government offices. There is also a ban on Iftar parties and official dinners. Huge jump of 20% in the prices of petrol and diesel. The Prime Minister told the public with a heavy heart that the government had no option left but to increase the prices of fuel by 20%. He warned that if the global crisis deepens, prices could rise further. Sharif expressed grief over the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and expressed hope that peace would be restored in the region, otherwise the coming days could be even more challenging for Pakistan.