ISLAMABAD: Both public and private educational institutions of Islamabad will remain closed from March 16 to 31 as part of austerity and fuel conservation plan launched by the federal government.

Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), which oversees over 430 government run schools and colleges, on Wednesday issued a notification in this regard. Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (Peira) also issued a similar notification in this regard.

FDE notification says, “ In pursuance of directive…..regarding implementation of austerity and fuel conservation measures, it is hereby notified that all educational institutions functioning under the administrative control of FDE shall remain closed from March 16 to March 31 2026,” read the notification.

It further stated: “Notwithstanding the above, all examination related activities, including but not limited to the conduct of examinations, evaluation of answer scripts and compilation of results, shall continue uninterrupted in accordance with approved institutional schedules.

The classes for BS programs shall transition to fully online mode of instruction with immediate effect and until further orders.”

According to the notification, “Heads of Institutions are directed to institute appropriate work-from home arrangements for up to fifty percent (50pc) of the administrative staff on the alternate-day basis, while ensuring that essential administrative functions of the institutions remain fully operational,” read the notification.

Meanwhile, Peira notification said that with regard to implementation of austerity and fuel conservation measure, all private educational institutions operating within Islamabad “shall observe Spring Holidays from March 16 to March 31”.

However, the examination will continue as scheduled and are exempted from this closure.

Recently, the federal government raised petroleum prices by massive Rs 55 per liter caused unrest among the public. The government made this huge increase “citing increase of oil prices in international market” due to war between US-Israel and Iran, which badly disrupted entire Gulf region.

The supply of oil from strait of Hormuz – which provides the only sea passage from Persian Gulf (one of the world’s most strategically important choke point) is badly disrupted as Iran has blocked it.

“Following the direction of federal government educational institutions will remain closed from March 16 to 31, we have issued notification in this regard,” said acting Chairman Piera Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2026