There is no lockdown in Pakistan.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Pakistan has officially denied viral claims suggesting a nationwide weekend lockdown to conserve fuel.
What was the rumour?
A document circulating online falsely claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered:
- A complete lockdown every Saturday and Sunday
- Starting from April 5
- Due to the ongoing Gulf oil crisis
This claim quickly spread across social media, creating confusion among the public.
Government’s official response
The Information Ministry clarified that:
- The notification is fake and unverified
- No such lockdown order has been issued
- Citizens should rely only on official sources
The ministry also urged people to avoid sharing misinformation, stating that such posts can create unnecessary panic.
What is actually happening?
While there is no lockdown, Pakistan has introduced fuel-saving austerity measures due to rising global oil prices linked to geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region.
These include:
- A four-day work week
- Reduced fuel usage for government vehicles
- Online classes for higher education institutions
- Creation of an austerity fund
Fuel prices have also increased significantly following disruptions in global supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz.