The federal government is actively considering a sweeping national action plan that would reintroduce remote work and digital learning across Pakistan, echoing strategies last widely used during the Covid-19 pandemic, The Express Tribune has learned. The primary goal is to conserve energy and streamline national operations amid economic pressures.
Proposed Measures for Work and Education
According to official sources, the plan could be implemented as early as March 2026. Key proposals under review include:
- Mandating online classes for educational institutions to reduce physical attendance and energy consumption.
- Allowing corporate and IT sector employees to work remotely for up to two days per week.
- Requiring government offices to maintain only essential staff on-site, with the remainder working from home.
Additional initiatives being evaluated are shared transportation for office staff and a shift to online services for public dealings to further minimize energy usage.
Balancing Efficiency and Conservation
The proposed measures aim to achieve a dual objective: significant energy conservation while maintaining, or even enhancing, operational efficiency. Officials indicate this plan also seeks to institutionalize flexible working arrangements across both public and private sectors, a lasting change from the pandemic’s forced adaptations.
Broader Economic Context
This energy conservation drive comes as Pakistan activates an emergency economic response committee. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted an 18-member high-level body to monitor and mitigate the impact of volatile international oil prices on the national economy. The committee’s formation follows a sharp rise in oil prices triggered by recent regional geopolitical tensions.
The official notification states the committee will “monitor price volatility and devise a mitigation strategy,” highlighting the government’s multi-pronged approach to stabilizing the economy through both demand-side management and strategic policy oversight.
