The Punjab government is considering extending school holidays and introducing early market closures as part of a broader strategy to manage a worsening energy crisis, officials said on Tuesday.
According to sources, the Punjab Energy Department has submitted a set of recommendations aimed at reducing fuel consumption as Pakistan faces supply disruptions linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Among the key proposals is extending ongoing school holidays, currently scheduled to end on March 31, until April 15, along with shifting educational institutions to a hybrid learning model to cut energy usage.
Authorities are also weighing fuel rationing measures, including a coupon-based or digital distribution system and restricting fuel access to vehicles on specific days. Additional steps under consideration include work-from-home directives for private offices, a ban on non-essential events, and expanded public transport services to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
To further conserve energy, proposals include shutting down billboards and decorative lighting, limiting streetlight usage after 10pm, and reducing market operating hours.
The measures come as Pakistan grapples with rising fuel prices and constrained supplies due to disruptions in global oil flows, particularly linked to instability affecting key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
No final decision has yet been announced, but officials indicate that the proposals are under active consideration as authorities attempt to manage limited energy resources.