The government of Punjab have lifted the smart lockdown across the province.
According to the official notification, issued by the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD), all of the shops, markets, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, and food outlets across the province are exempted from the early closure timings until June 1, 2026.
According to the latest notification, the above-mentioned entities will not be bound to close earlier than the previous timings announced by the government.
The Implementation and Coordination Wing of the S&GAD issued the latest notification regarding the suspension of the smart lockdown within the province.
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This notification has been issued in continuation of the earlier announcement issued on April 6, 2026.
Pharmacies, hospitals, petrol pumps, CNG stations, bakeries, tandoors, and milk shops were already given the relief of not having to close early in the previous notification.
As per the previous announcement by the government issued last month, all of the shops, markets, and shopping malls were told to close at 8:00pm throughout the week under austerity and energy conservation measures. Hotels, restaurants, and food outlets were also directed to close at 10:00pm, although takeaway and home delivery services remained open.
Maryam Nawaz to represent Punjab at World Urban Forum in Baku
The Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, will represent the province during a three-day visit to the World Urban Forum in Baku.
Punjab CM will be leaving for Baku today to participate in the World Urban Forum.
According to her post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Maryam Nawaz said, “It will be a singular honour to present Punjab’s flagship sustainable urban affordable housing initiative, ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar,’ at the Pakistan Pavilion at the World Urban Forum in Baku.”
She mentioned that under the initiative ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’, out of 160,000 houses under construction, 100,000 have been completed, with families moving into their own homes in less than a year.
Maryam Nawaz also shared the preparation being made in the Baku Olympic Pavilion.
In a video shared in her post on X, the ‘Punjab Pakistan Pavilion’ has been made to showcase the urban development in the province.
She said, “During the visit, I will also have the honour of meeting the President of Azerbaijan, H.E. Ilham Aliyev, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation and partnerships in urban development, climate resilience, tourism, and investment.”
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