Hybrid working, fuel and electricity savings, and strict monitoring to guide Pakistan’s smart lockdown.
ISLAMABAD: The federal government is set to announce a nationwide “smart lockdown” aimed at conserving energy and fuel resources while introducing hybrid work policies in public and private offices, media sources said.
According to draft proposals, government offices will adopt a hybrid working model for one month initially. Standard five-day offices will operate in-person three days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with two days online. Six-day service offices will have four days on-site from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and two days online. A 50% office rota system is planned to minimize commuting and save electricity and resources.
Online attendance monitoring will be mandatory, with officers required to maintain at least 65% attendance. Weekly audit records will track both physical and remote work. Private offices are expected to implement 50% online work with similar reporting obligations.
Vehicle use will be restricted; senior management may share cars, and personal or family use will face strict penalties. Energy-saving measures include restrictions on AC use before 10:30 a.m. and plans to shift 50% of office loads to solar power within 60 days.
Educational institutions will work three days online, while markets, shopping centers, and functions will close by 9:30 p.m., with weddings limited to 200 guests and single-dish catering until 10 p.m.
Additional measures include a 2.5% reduction in internet and telephone taxes, a 5% increase on property and vehicle transactions, revised tolls, and up to 15% railway ticket discounts to encourage public transport. A high-level investigative team under the Prime Minister and Chief Minister’s offices will monitor implementation.
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