The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting clarified the issue by sharing the fake document online with a clear “fake” stamp to stop misinformation from spreading further.
Officials warned people not to believe or share unverified news. They said, “Avoid sharing fake news and false posts. Be a responsible citizen and only trust verified sources.”
The fake notification falsely claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered a complete lockdown across the country every Saturday and Sunday starting from April 5 due to the ongoing Gulf oil crisis.
فیک خبروں اور جھوٹی پوسٹس کو شیئر کرنے سے گریز کریں۔
— Fact Checker MoIB (@FactCheckerMoIB) March 29, 2026
ذمہ دار شہری بنیں، صرف مستند ذرائع پر اعتماد کریں۔
آپ کی ایک شیئر معاشرے میں غلط فہمی پھیلا سکتی ہے۔ #ThinkBeforeYouShare pic.twitter.com/4vGlwFsCXy
It also mentioned strict timings, stating that the lockdown would begin at 12:01 am on Saturday and end at 11:59 pm on Sunday. However, authorities confirmed that no such decision has been taken.
Also Read: PM Shehbaz Sharif hints at nationwide lockdown if public safety risks rise
While the lockdown news is false, the government is still considering other measures to deal with the ongoing energy crisis. These may include a “smart lockdown” and new austerity steps, but nothing has been officially announced yet.
Under the proposed ideas, markets could close earlier, wedding events may be limited, and offices might introduce partial work-from-home systems to save energy and reduce costs.
Other possible steps include limiting the use of air conditioners in government offices and shifting public buildings to solar energy.
Earlier, the government had already introduced austerity measures like a four-day work week, reduced fuel usage, and salary cuts for ministers and officials to manage the fuel crisis.
Officials stressed that any final decisions will be announced through official channels only.
