ISLAMABAD: A smart lockdown came into force across Pakistan on Tuesday, excluding Sindh, following a decision taken in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Under the new restrictions, markets, shopping malls, and departmental stores must close by 8:00 PM. Meanwhile, restaurants and bakeries are required to shut operations by 10:00 PM. However, medical stores are exempt from these measures and will continue normal operations.
In addition, authorities clarified that restaurants may remain open for takeaway and delivery services beyond closing hours. Similarly, essential services such as petrol pumps, CNG stations, and tandoors are not affected by the restrictions.
On the other hand, the Sindh government has not yet implemented the lockdown and is currently consulting stakeholders before making a final decision. As a result, the province remains outside the scope of the nationwide measures for now.
Meanwhile, the government has introduced relief measures alongside restrictions. Intra-city public transport in Gilgit and Muzaffarabad will operate free of cost, with the federal government covering the expenses.
Earlier, similar measures were implemented in Islamabad as part of the broader austerity campaign. Authorities enforced identical business hour limits in the capital to reduce energy consumption and manage expenditures.
Overall, the smart lockdown reflects the government’s strategy to balance economic activity with cost-cutting measures, while ensuring essential services remain accessible to the public.
