KARACHI – The Sindh government has announced that schools across the province will remain closed from March 16 to 31, while government employees will work from home on Fridays. The decisions were taken in view of the Middle East crisis due to the US-Israel war against Iran.
“Schools will have spring holidays from March 16 to 31, while colleges and universities will conduct online classes. No exams will be postponed,” Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said during a media briefing after a Sindh cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Government offices will continue regular operations from Monday to Thursday, with Fridays designated for remote work as part of the temporary arrangement, he added.
The cabinet also approved the Student Attendance Monitoring and Redress System (SAMRS) policy, which will use a mobile app and digital dashboard to track student attendance and enrollment. “In what I believe is a first for Pakistan, the cabinet has approved a policy to monitor student attendance and establish a redressal system,” Memon said. In addition to these, the cabinet announced several austerity measures, including the suspension of all government-funded refreshments in public offices for the next two months, particularly during Ramazan. Employees may use water or other items at their own expense if they wish, he said. Memon further stated that the country is facing economic and administrative challenges, and collective efforts are required to address them. “Given the economic and administrative challenges facing the country, it is important that everyone contributes collectively to overcome them,” the minister said.
The cabinet also approved the Sindh Agriculture Women Workers Rules, aimed at improving protections for women in the agricultural sector. Under the new rules, women agricultural workers will receive equal wages and maternity benefits, with legal protections against harassment and discrimination. The government further approved the issuance of Benazir Women Agricultural Workers Cards and the establishment of a Rs500 million endowment fund to support women agricultural workers’ welfare.
Memon stressed that empowering women and ensuring their protection is a core government responsibility, noting that measures of this scale had not previously been implemented for women in the agricultural sector. The cabinet also approved additional funding for Hasan Suleman Memorial Hospital in Malir. The modern 312-bed facility, located on the National Highway, is expected to provide citizens with high-quality healthcare services.
FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS AND SAVINGS
The province has imposed a 50 per cent cut in fuel allowances for government vehicles, projected to save approximately Rs960 million. Additionally, a 20 percent reduction in non-essential government expenditures in the final quarter is expected to save an estimated Rs12 billion.
BANS ON SPENDING AND PURCHASES
The cabinet placed a complete ban on the purchase of new government vehicles, except for essential operational vehicles such as ambulances. It also prohibited the acquisition of new equipment, non-essential foreign tours, and state-funded refreshments in government offices for the next two months.
VIP SECURITY REFORMS
The home minister has been directed to immediately withdraw police security from unauthorised individuals, including former caretaker ministers who had retained their security details for over two years. State security will now be strictly limited to individuals with genuine, verified threats, the cabinet noted.
MARKET AND FOOD SECURITY MEASURES
To prevent market shortages before the next crop harvest, the government ordered the immediate release of available wheat stocks to traders and mill owners. Memon concluded the briefing by expressing support for the Pakistan Armed Forces, Air Force, and national institutions currently countering terrorism linked to the Taliban in Afghanistan. He stated that the Sindh government and the Pakistan People’s Party stand united with the federal government and state institutions during these challenging times.
