The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has declared that in-person classes at universities will recommence from April 1, 2026. This announcement marks a significant reversal of the temporary shift to online education that was implemented earlier this year due to energy conservation efforts amid a regional fuel crisis.
Back on March 11, the HEC had introduced a four-day workweek and instructed all universities and degree-awarding institutions (DAIs) to conduct their classes virtually. These measures were part of broader austerity policies initiated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address the fuel shortage triggered by the ongoing Middle East crisis. The decision to move classes online was aimed at reducing transportation and energy consumption during this challenging period.
In a notable development, the HEC has now issued a formal notification directing all public and private universities, along with DAIs across Pakistan, to resume on-campus teaching activities starting April 1. This directive has been communicated to federal and provincial education authorities, including departments in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, ensuring a coordinated nationwide implementation.
The resumption of physical classes signals a gradual return to normal academic operations following the temporary adjustments made in response to the fuel crisis. It reflects an easing of the energy constraints and a renewed focus on restoring traditional educational environments for students and faculty alike.
