With the escalating tensions in the Middle East, rumours abound that Pakistan is heading towards a lockdown. While some media reports claimed the government was mulling imposing a lockdown during the weekends, the country’s social media was abound with rumours that a lockdown has already been notified.
As per the reports, a “smart lockdown” has been imposed from 12 noon on Saturday to 11:59 pm on Sunday. It suggested a complete ban on markets, commercial activities, wedding ceremonies, and intercity travel on highways and motorways. The notification added that there will be exemptions only for hospitals, pharmacies, essential services, and public transport buses. It also mentioned provincial authorities would register two- and three-wheel vehicles for targeted subsidies.
However, the Pakistan Federal Minister denied reports of a lockdown. He told local media that no such weekend lockdown has been ordered, and the notification doing the rounds on social media was completely fake.
That said, media reports indicate that the federal government is holding talks with key stakeholders to make a final decision.
Pakistan: Oil industry on verge of collapse, largest refinery shuts for a week amid severe economic crisis.
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Visuals of Empty Petrol Pumps in Lahore pic.twitter.com/MN2nOtIuQD
According to Express Tribune, the government is considering a hybrid working model where government offices operating five days a week and would adopt a three-day in-office and two-day remote schedule. As for service departments, it would be a four-day office and two-day online model.
To further reduce commuting and operational costs, a 50% rota system is expected to be enforced, alongside digital monitoring of attendance and weekly audit mechanisms. The government could also consider asking private organisations to impose work-from-home mechanisms.
This comes as the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPOA), representing around 15,000 fuel stations, has warned of a national shutdown if its concerns are not addressed amid the Middle East energy shortage. "In case our concerns are ignored, we would be compelled to shut down operations, which would trigger another fuel crisis in Pakistan. The responsibility for this would fall on the petroleum minister and the Petroleum Division," the association said in a statement.
