Schools across Pakistan are being forced to close for a fortnight from next week with government departments down to a four-day week, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a televised address to the nation.
Sharif says the rising oil prices as a result of the war could destabilise the economy and has ordered all university courses to be taught online and 50% of staff in offices to work from home.
Government departments are facing a 20% spending cut with bans on purchasing new air conditioners, vehicles and furniture until further notice. Fuel allowances for departments are also being slashed by 50% with other half of official vehices being taken off the road. Buses and ambulances are exempt from the restrictions.
Pakistan imports most of its energy and has already been forced to increase petrol and diesel prices to the highest on record.
Governments moved to act after fuel prices surged past $119 per barrel on Monday as uncertainties around the Strait of Hormuz squeezed global supplies.
Bangladesh also shut universities on Monday bringing forward the Islamic Eid holiday as it scrambled to conserve its electricity and fuel reserves.
In Pakistan's biggest city Karachi, Liaquat Mughal said the prime minister had taken timely action to "minimise the negative impact on our economy". Businesses warn that this has a bigger impact on households who are already struggling amid high inflation.
Shop worker Khizar Ali told Reuters "look, as soon as the school closures were announced, the entire market emptied out". This is a bookshop, uniform shops - all empty".
U.S. President Donald Trump who earlier said the oil price surge was a small price to pay for World safety and peace later threatened Iran with 'fire and fury' over closure of Strait of Hormuz causing fuel prices to drop as a result.
Pakistan's restrictions come as large public festivals and events still take place, drawing huge crowds.
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Concerns grew on Monday (20 April) that the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, due to expire on Tuesday, might not hold after Washington’s Navy seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run its blockade of Iranian ports, with Tehran vowing to retaliate.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are rising as a ceasefire nears expiry with no agreement in place, amid reported attacks on vessels that have heightened fears of renewed conflict and disruption to global oil supplies.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 17th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The collapse of the Islamabad meeting now appears less definitive than initially reported. New information suggests what was widely framed as failure may instead have been a premature political interpretation of an ongoing negotiation process.
Dozens of Chinese-made humanoid robots have demonstrated improvements in speed, balance and autonomous navigation after completing a half-marathon in Beijing on Sunday (19 April), in a showcase of the country’s fast-developing robotics sector.
The U.S. Navy has forcibly intercepted and boarded the Iranian cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to breach the ongoing naval blockade. President Trump confirmed that the vessel was neutralised and seized by Marines following a direct strike on its engine room.
Two Indian-flagged ships were shot at in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, India's Foreign Ministry said, as Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again, less than 24 hours after reopening the 167km long sea passage, which is essential for global trade.
Six people have been killed after a man opened fire in a supermarket in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Saturday (18 April). Ukraine's Security Service said it was investigating the incident as a "terrorist act."
Global leaders and diplomats gathered in southern Türkiye on 17 April for the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, focusing on uncertainty, conflict, and the future of global cooperation.
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev held a phone call on Sunday (19 April), highlighting the rapid expansion of bilateral ties and confirming plans for further high-level engagement.
Global leaders and diplomats gathered in southern Türkiye on 17 April for the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, focusing on uncertainty, conflict, and the future of global cooperation.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia and Russia have agreed to continue implementing previously reached agreements in the military-technical sphere following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Global leaders have gathered in Antalya Diplomacy Forum, with discussions centred on geopolitical uncertainty and international cooperation.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has said his country could provide a “safe corridor” and “alternative route” for regional energy shipments, as supply disruptions continue to affect the wider Middle East.
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