Quetta: The Government of Balochistan has announced that all public and private school in the province will remain closed until March 31, 2026, citing prevailing circumstances in the region.
#Balochistan government has decided to extend closure of all public and private educational institutions till 31st of this month @dpr_gob #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/8K1iLDDnyO pic.twitter.com/sbZlCOZRDt
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) March 23, 2026
The School Education Department Balochistan issued an official notification confirming that while schools and educational institutions remain closed, essential activities such as enrollment campaigns, the digital census of schools, and examinations will continue as scheduled.
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Shahid Rind said the decision aligns with measures taken at the national level and emphasized that the provincial government is continuously monitoring the situation to determine when academic activities can safely resume. He urged parents to ensure children stay engaged in educational activities during the extended closure.
Earlier, schools had been closed until March 23 following Eid-ul-Fitr, making this the second extension in recent weeks.
Separately, the Balochistan Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, approved an austerity package aimed at reducing government expenditures and conserving fuel amid global and regional economic challenges.
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Under the measures, provincial ministers, advisers, and parliamentary secretaries will forgo two months’ salaries, while members of the provincial assembly will take a 25 percent voluntary reduction. Officers in Grade 20 and above earning over Rs300,000 per month will contribute two days’ salary. Employees in the health and education sectors are exempt from deductions.
Officials emphasized that these steps are necessary to balance fiscal responsibility with public service delivery, while continuing to prioritize education and monitoring evolving circumstances in Balochistan.