Every year, on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour is symbolically marked by the switching off of non-essential lights.
A view of the lights being turned off at the Prime Minister’s Office last year for International Earth Hour. PHOTO: FILE
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday urged the nation to actively participate in Earth Hour, observed on March 28, 2026.
President Zardari, in a message on
“I encourage all Pakistanis to turn off non-essential lights for one hour on the evening of March 28, 2026. Let us use this hour to think about how we can save energy, protect our environment and support efforts that promote sustainable living.
~ President Asif Ali Zardari pic.twitter.com/2nt6QpDJ4x
– The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 28, 2026
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister, in his message, also urged the nation to actively participate in Earth Hour.
Read: Prime Minister calls for nationwide Earth Hour celebration on Saturday
In his message, the Prime Minister called on citizens to turn off or minimize their consumption of electricity and non-essential lighting from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
He said that in a time marked by environmental challenges, Earth Hour serves as a reminder that protecting the planet is a shared and fundamental responsibility.
Observed this year under the theme “Give Earth Hour”, the initiative aims to promote environmental protection, efficient use of energy and awareness about climate change.
The Prime Minister said Earth Hour is not just a symbolic activity but a global moment of reflection that provides an opportunity to renew commitment to a sustainable and resilient environmental future. He added that such conscious actions can collectively bring about positive and meaningful societal change.
He stressed that decisions taken today to combat climate change and environmental degradation would shape the future of generations to come.
The Prime Minister said the government was working on a climate resilient development agenda to address these challenges, highlighting initiatives such as the Upscaling Green Pakistan programme, Living Indus initiative, Recharge Pakistan and installation of modern warning systems in flood-affected areas.
He urged citizens to fully participate in the global campaign and transform the message of environmental responsibility into a sustainable way of living, thereby laying the foundation for a greener, safer and more resilient Pakistan.
Observed each year on the last Saturday in March, Earth Hour is symbolically marked by the turning off of non-essential lights between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. local time.
Read: The capital turns off the lights for Earth Hour
Last year, Earth Hour coincided with World Water Day 2025, calling for the conservation of freshwater resources and combating the harmful effects of climate change. Events are organized in major cities of Pakistan on the occasion of Earth Hour.
These events typically bring together goodwill ambassadors, policy makers, government officials, civil society organizations and young people.
Several landmarks in Islamabad, including the President’s House, Prime Minister’s House, Parliament, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad High Court, Pakistan Monument, D-Chowk, Pak-China Friendship Centre, Convention Center and Jinnah Avenue, switched off their lights during Earth Hour to show their commitment to the Earth.
