Islamabad – The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Pakistan has officially rejected a viral notification circulating on social media that falsely claimed a complete nationwide lockdown would be enforced on weekends. Authorities have labeled the document as fake and urged citizens to rely only on verified sources for accurate information.
In a statement shared on the ministry’s official fact-checking account on X, the circulated notification was clearly marked as fabricated. The ministry warned the public against spreading misinformation and emphasized the importance of responsible digital behavior. Officials reiterated that no such nationwide lockdown has been announced or approved by the government.
The fake document, which lacked an official date, falsely attributed the decision to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and claimed that the alleged restrictions were being imposed due to an ongoing Gulf oil crisis. It further stated that a complete lockdown would be enforced every Saturday and Sunday starting April 5, running from 12:01 AM on Saturday until 11:59 PM on Sunday.
However, government officials clarified that while discussions may be ongoing regarding energy conservation measures, no formal policy or notification regarding a nationwide lockdown has been issued.
Separately, authorities have been considering a broader strategy to manage energy consumption amid fuel concerns. This includes potential “smart lockdown” measures and austerity steps, though these remain under review and have not been officially approved.
Proposed measures reportedly include earlier closing times for markets and shopping malls, as well as restrictions on wedding events. Under such considerations, markets may close by 9:30 PM, while wedding halls could be limited to a maximum of 200 guests, along with a one-dish policy and an earlier closing time to reduce energy usage.
Officials emphasized that any official decision will be communicated through proper government channels and urged the public to avoid believing or sharing unverified claims circulating online.