By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government imposed a nationwide “smart lockdown” over weekends to combat a deepening energy crisis exacerbated by regional tensions disrupting fuel supplies, sources confirmed on Sunday.
The measure, targeting Saturdays and Sundays, came into force after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved finalized proposals, according to government insiders. It ran from noon on Saturday until 11:59pm on Sunday night, suspending all business activities in a bid to curb soaring electricity demand and preserve dwindling fuel stocks.
Markets shuttered, commercial operations ground to a halt, and wedding ceremonies – often lavish affairs in the country – faced a blanket ban, reflecting the severity of the power shortages that have plunged millions into darkness. Essential services, however, pressed on uninterrupted.
Public transport continued to ferry commuters, hospitals stayed open around the clock, pharmacies dispensed vital medicines, and other critical public facilities operated as normal. Ports buzzed with activity, railways chugged along their routes, and air travel maintained its schedules, ensuring the arteries of trade and logistics remained open amid the clampdown.
Blackouts lasting up to 12 hours became routine in major cities like Karachi and Lahore, factories idled, and households rationed what little power they could muster from generators. Economists warned that without such drastic steps, the crisis risked tipping the fragile economy into deeper recession, with inflation already biting hard into everyday lives.
The move underscored Pakistan’s vulnerability to global energy shocks, with imports accounting for nearly all its fuel needs. While no end date was specified, sources hinted at reviews after initial trials, as the government juggled public health, economic survival, and the geopolitical headwinds buffeting the region.
