KARACHI: Rising petrol prices and fuel shortages in Pakistan driven by ongoing tensions involving the United States Israel and Iran have forced several major universities to move classes online.
The University of Karachi announced that all morning sessions will be conducted online starting Monday, March 9, continuing until the end of Ramadan, citing transport difficulties due to skyrocketing fuel costs. Evening classes had already been running online. The university also reduced petrol consumption for its vehicles by 25 percent, a measure to remain in effect through March.
At the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology Karachi campus classes will be online from March 11 to March 16, while the Islamabad campus will continue online from March 9 to March 27. Non-teaching staff have been instructed to work from home for most days maintaining only 50 percent office presence. Vehicle fuel usage is strictly limited, with only 20 percent of monthly fuel allowed in exceptional cases.
Similarly NED University of Engineering and Technology has suspended in person sessions, replacing them with online assignments and remote discussions for Ramadan. University officials cited unprecedented fuel price surges and shortages as the main reasons for the transition highlighting the severe disruption of Pakistan’s energy market due to the Middle East conflict.
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