Lahore, March 30 The Punjab government of Pakistan announced on Monday the reopening of all public and private educational institutions that had been closed in the province as part of fuel-saving measures implemented following the conflict in the Middle East.
In light of the massive joint attack launched by the US and Israel on Iran on February 28, the Punjab government decided on March 10 to close all academic institutions and implemented a "work from home" policy in government offices as a fuel-saving measure.
With Iran's retaliation, the conflict has spread to the entire Gulf region. Iranian strikes in Hormuz have affected maritime traffic in the strait, which is crucial for global supply chains for crude and oil.
"All educational institutions will reopen from Wednesday (April 1) for five days a week," Education Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan said in a post on X on Monday.
Regular academic activities in institutions will resume with regular classes being held five days a week, he added.
According to a provincial government official, the decision to reopen all educational institutions was taken after fuel supply had stabilized.
Pakistan's Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, has also claimed that "the national fuel supply remains stable and secure, with stocks for March and April already largely secured despite volatility in the global oil market."
Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had taken various measures, such as suspending official fuel allocations for ministers, and a 50 per cent immediate reduction has also been ordered in the petrol and diesel allowances for government officers' vehicles.
The convoy of protocol vehicles accompanying provincial ministers and senior government officials was also banned.
"Only one vehicle will be allowed with ministers and senior officials for essential security purposes," the chief minister said.
