Information Ministry Issues Clarification Amid Online Misinformation
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Sunday rejected a widely circulated notification claiming a nationwide weekend lockdown, declaring it fake. In a post on its official fact-checking account on X, the ministry shared the document stamped with the word “fake” and urged citizens to verify information before sharing.
“Avoid sharing fake news and false posts. Be a responsible citizen and only trust verified sources,” the ministry stated. The fabricated notification falsely attributed directives to Shehbaz Sharif, claiming new restrictions due to the ongoing Gulf oil crisis.
According to the viral document, authorities had allegedly ordered a complete nationwide lockdown every Saturday and Sunday starting April 5. It further specified that restrictions would begin at 12:01am on Saturday and continue until 11:59pm on Sunday. However, officials confirmed that no such directive has been issued.
Austerity Measures Continue as Policy Discussions Remain Ongoing
Meanwhile, the government has already introduced austerity measures to manage rising fuel costs triggered by the broader Middle East crisis. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a 50 percent reduction in fuel allowances for official vehicles, excluding essential services such as ambulances and public transport.
Additionally, authorities implemented a work-from-home policy for 50 percent of public sector employees, while exempting essential service providers. On Friday, a high-level consultative meeting led by Muhammad Aurangzeb reviewed contingency plans to address economic pressures.
These discussions included proposals such as fuel rationing, reduced working days, and possible lockdowns. However, officials have not finalized or approved any such measures. Provincial input also remains divided, as some stakeholders warn that lockdowns could harm economic activity and disproportionately impact daily wage earners.
