The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Sunday rejected a widely circulated notification claiming a complete nationwide lockdown over the weekend, calling it false. In a post on its official X fact-checking account, the ministry shared the viral notice stamped with the word "fake" to combat the spread of disinformation on social networks. "Avoid sharing fake news and messages. Be a responsible citizen and only trust verified sources," says the message. The undated document falsely attributed directives to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, claiming that the measures were imposed due to a "persistent oil crisis in the Gulf."
According to the fabricated notification, the authorities ordered a "complete and complete lockdown across the country" every Saturday and Sunday from April 5. "The confinement will take effect every Saturday from 12:01 a.m. and will continue until 11:59 p.m. every Sunday," the fake command read. However, to curb energy consumption and manage the growing fuel crisis, the federal government plans to finalize a comprehensive plan to impose a "smart lock" alongside expanded austerity measures. However, no official announcement or notification has been released. Under the proposed plan, markets and shopping malls would close at 9:30 p.m., while wedding halls would be limited to a maximum of 200 guests, with a single dish policy and a closing time of 10 p.m. The restrictions were aimed at curbing large gatherings and reducing nighttime energy use.
