The Sindh government on Tuesday unveiled a series of austerity measures aimed at reducing expenditures and mitigating the economic impact of ongoing regional tensions and the global fuel crisis.
Addressing a press conference, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced that schools across the province will observe spring vacations from March 16 to March 31. During this period, colleges and universities will shift to online classes. However, he clarified that ongoing examinations will continue as scheduled and will not be postponed.
Memon also stated that government offices will remain operational throughout the week, but officials will work from home on Fridays. “Employees will work from Monday to Thursday at offices, while Friday will be designated as a work-from-home day,” he said.
The senior minister noted that the provincial government has endorsed the austerity decisions announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and has launched its own campaign to cut unnecessary spending.
As part of the initiative, the fuel allocation for official vehicles will be reduced by 50 percent, a move expected to save approximately Rs960 million. Additionally, provincial ministers have agreed to forgo their salaries for three months, from April to June.
Memon said the government will also cut 20 percent of non-essential expenditures, including the purchase of furniture and stationery, which could save around Rs12 billion. There will also be a ban on purchasing new government vehicles and equipment, except in essential cases such as ambulances or law-enforcement vehicles.
The minister added that unnecessary foreign visits by government officials will be prohibited. If travel is unavoidable, officials will be required to use economy class instead of business class.
Further measures include the withdrawal or reduction of security protocols for several ministers and individuals who do not face genuine security threats. Memon said the law minister has been directed to revoke unnecessary security arrangements, particularly those granted to former caretaker ministers and committee members.
The Sindh cabinet has also banned government-funded Iftar parties during Ramazan. Official events will not be held at five-star hotels but instead at government buildings. In addition, refreshments at government expense will be prohibited in offices for two months after Ramazan.
Memon also revealed that the chief minister’s aircraft will remain grounded during this period as part of the cost-cutting drive. He emphasized that the funds saved through these measures will be redirected toward public welfare and to cushion citizens from the impact of rising fuel prices.
The Sindh government’s decision follows austerity measures announced by the federal government to conserve fuel amid the global energy crisis triggered by the US‑Israel war on Iran.
Meanwhile, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has ordered all public and private universities, degree-awarding institutions, and colleges to remain closed on Fridays and Saturdays for the next two months. Institutions have also been advised to adopt hybrid or online modes of instruction where possible to reduce fuel consumption.
Similar fuel-saving measures have also been announced by the governments of Punjab and Balochistan, including work-from-home policies and reduced operational expenses.
