HEC announces 4-day work week, online classes in universities amid austerity drive

The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) has announced a four-day work week and directed universities and degree-awarding institutions (DAIs) to shift all classes online, in line with austerity measures announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in light of the fuel crunch caused by the prevailing Middle East crisis. The move follows a comprehensive austerity and savings plan unveiled by the prime minister on Monday in response to global economic challenges linked to tensions in the neighbouring region. In a post on X a day ago, the HEC said the measures had been introduced on the directives of the prime minister, instructing that all academic activities and classes at universities and DAIs shift to online mode with immediate effect. IMPORTANT: As per directives of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, all universities and DAIs have been instructed to implement austerity measures immediately and effectively! pic.twitter.com/qAxpNPMhnB — HEC Pakistan (@hecpkofficial) March 10, 2026 The higher education regulator also announced a condensed work week, under which institutions will operate from Monday to Thursday. Additionally, the commission encouraged work-from-home arrangements, stating that up to 50% of staff and faculty should work remotely on an alternate-day basis. Meetings of statutory bodies should also be held online “as far as practicable”. According to the HEC, individual universities and DAIs will determine the specific modalities for implementing work-from-home arrangements. “The sector is expected to demonstrate institutional responsibility and support government efforts to conserve national resources,” the commission said, adding that implementation of the measures must be ensured “in letter and spirit” and communicated to all concerned parties immediately. Also Read: Govt expands austerity drive as fuel prices rise and global oil markets turn volatile The commission on Wednesday issued another notification to universities and DAIs for failing to observe the directives, saying the measures were mandatory and that non-compliance would invite strict disciplinary action. IMPORTANT❗ HEC reiterates the PMs directive regarding national resource conservation. All Universities and DAIs are strictly mandated to implement the following with immediate effect: 🔹 100% Online Classes 🔹 Four-Day Workweek 🔹 Work-From-Home (WFH) Protocols pic.twitter.com/ESzReCBEb0 — HEC Pakistan (@hecpkofficial) March 11, 2026 Facing rising fuel costs, the federal and provincial governments have introduced a series of austerity measures, including declaring an additional weekly holiday, reducing free petrol allocations for ministers, limiting the use of protocol vehicles and proposing subsidised fuel for students. As part of the broader initiative, the premier announced a four-day work week and a work-from-home policy, with Friday to be observed as an additional weekly holiday to help reduce fuel consumption and electricity demand. He also announced that all schools would be given two weeks of holidays from the end of the current week, while higher education institutions would immediately transition to online classes. Provincial governments and the Supreme Court of Pakistan have also issued similar guidelines in line with the federal government’s directives aimed at reducing fuel consumption.

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