Following the federal government’s lead, the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab, and Balochistan have announced localized emergency measures to combat the fuel shortage and rising costs. While following the national framework, each province has introduced specific variations to address local administrative needs.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Focus on Subsidies and Virtual Work
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi chaired a cabinet meeting to approve the “Fuel Conservation and Responsible Governance Initiative.”
- Fuel Cuts: Official vehicle allowances are slashed by 25% (bringing the total reduction to 50% when combined with previous pandemic-era cuts). This does not apply to police, rescue, or law enforcement.
- Workplace: A 50% work-from-home policy and a transition to virtual-only government meetings.
- Education: A proposal to keep schools closed on Fridays and prioritize virtual learning.
- Public Relief: The CM has already announced a subsidy for registered motorcyclists to offset the recent Rs 55 price hike.
- Agriculture: The government guaranteed the supply of diesel to farmers for the ongoing wheat harvesting season.
The government has sought ex-post facto approval from National Assembly for Rs345 billion in additional spending incurred during current fiscal year without prior parliamentary approval. No war-related expenditures with India were booked in the accounts https://t.co/myIpEdL8pR
— Shahbaz Rana (@81ShahbazRana) June 12, 2025
Punjab: School Closures and ‘Dastak’ Services
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has implemented some of the most stringent measures in the country’s most populous province:
- Education: All schools, colleges, and universities are closed from March 10 to March 31. Online classes are encouraged, though scheduled examinations will proceed.
- Ministerial Perks: Provincial ministers will not receive free petrol until the crisis subsides. Official vehicle allowances are cut by 50%.
- Governance: Implementation of a WFH model for “non-essential” support staff. Digital services like ‘Maryam Ke Dastak’ (domicile, FIR copies, etc.) will remain fully operational via the mobile app to reduce citizen travel.
- Market Control: District monitoring committees will track petroleum supply and “strictly monitor transport fares” to prevent overcharging.
- Culture: The 2026 Horse and Cattle Show, originally set for March 28, has been postponed.
Balochistan: Immediate School Shutdown
Pakistan’s petrol is now Rs321/litre — within touching distance of all-time high — and the rupee hasn’t moved. This is entirely a crude oil story. Since December, oil has risen nearly 60% to $94. If conflict keeps driving crude toward $110-120, Pakistan is looking at…
— Omer Azhar (@OmerAzhar96) March 6, 2026
The Balochistan government has taken a cautious approach by prioritizing administrative preparedness:
- Education (Colleges/Unis): All technical colleges and public-sector universities are closed from March 10 to March 23.
- Schools: All public and private schools are closed from March 9 to March 23.
- Exceptions: The ongoing digital census of schools and enrollment campaigns will continue as scheduled.
- Rationale: The notification cited “administrative preparedness” and the need to facilitate the public amid potential “transport constraints.”
Comparative Overview of Provincial Measures
| Feature | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) | Punjab | Balochistan |
| Fuel Allowance Cut | 25% (Total 50%) | 50% | General Austerity |
| School Closures | Friday Holiday (Proposed) | March 10 – March 31 | March 9 – March 23 |
| Work-from-Home | 50% Staff | Support Staff Only | As per Exigency |
| Key Exclusion | Police & Rescue | ‘Maryam Ke Dastak’ | School Census & Exams |
“The elite must set an example. We are monitoring the supply chain at every fueling station to take strict action against hoarding.” — Shafi Jan, KP Special Assistant on Information.
What’s Next: District Monitoring Committees
Across all three provinces, District Petroleum Monitoring Committees have been tasked with ensuring that petrol pumps do not hoard fuel in anticipation of the March 15 price review. In Punjab, a new track-and-trace system developed by the PITB will be used to monitor fuel tankers in real-time.
You May Like To Read: US and Israel Accused of War Crimes After Deadly Civilian Strikes in Iran
