Pakistan announces nationwide weekend lockdown starting April 2026 amid ongoing crisis

Islamabad(The Uttam Hindu): The government of Pakistan has issued a notification announcing a nationwide lockdown to be observed every weekend, citing the ongoing Gulf crisis as the primary reason for the decision.

According to the official notification released by the Cabinet Division, the lockdown will be enforced across the country on Saturdays and Sundays each week, starting from April 4–5, 2026. The restrictions will begin at 12:01 AM on Saturday and remain in effect until 11:59 PM on Sunday.

The measures apply to all business and commercial activities, including industrial and service sectors, which will remain suspended during the lockdown period. Authorities have also placed a ban on weddings and other celebratory events in public or commercial venues during these days.

All markets will remain closed; however, essential services such as hospitals, pharmacies, and key public service operations will continue to function. Transport hubs including airports, seaports and railway stations will also remain operational to ensure continuity of critical services.

Additionally, intercity motorways, highways and roads will be closed to most traffic during the lockdown hours. Public transport buses, however, have been exempted from this restriction.

The notification also directs provincial authorities to expedite the registration of two- and three-wheeler vehicles under their owners’ names, a move aimed at facilitating targeted subsidies.

The government stated that these measures are in addition to previously introduced steps and are intended to address the challenges arising from the ongoing crisis.