President Asif Ali Zardari is scheduled to lead a crucial high-level meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr, bringing together Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, provincial chief ministers, and military leaders. The gathering aims to address pressing national issues, including energy management, public health measures, and economic support.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is set to update attendees on the upcoming four-nation foreign ministers’ conference. The agenda will also cover a comprehensive review of the country’s petroleum reserves and distribution systems, alongside discussions on implementing austerity measures to manage resources efficiently.
In a significant development, the meeting will explore the possibility of introducing a “smart lockdown” strategy, with provincial governments contributing proposals for targeted restrictions. Additionally, officials will deliberate on subsidy schemes for motorbike and rickshaw drivers to aid low-income commuters, aiming to ease their financial burden.
The session seeks to synchronize policy decisions and operational plans between federal and provincial authorities to ensure cohesive governance during these challenging times.
Meanwhile, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has categorically rejected a viral notification about a nationwide smart lockdown, labeling it as entirely fabricated. He urged the public to rely solely on official government communications to avoid misinformation. The false alert had caused widespread alarm and confusion across social media platforms.
Tarar emphasized that no lockdown directives have been issued and warned that spreading unverified information could provoke unnecessary panic. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting reinforced this message through an official statement on its X (formerly Twitter) account, clarifying the government’s stance and advising citizens to disregard rumors.
This clarification coincided with a separate high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where senior officials reviewed the government’s ongoing response to domestic and regional challenges. Discussions focused on ensuring public relief, maintaining steady supplies of petroleum products, and mitigating the economic impact of rising fuel prices amid global instability.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to safeguarding citizens’ interests, stabilizing the economy, and addressing the financial pressures faced by ordinary Pakistanis. He also highlighted efforts to coordinate strategies to protect the country amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran.
The official statements aim to reassure the public and curb the spread of false information during this sensitive period, emphasizing transparent communication and coordinated governance.
