Lockdown-like curbs in Pakistan over fuel crisis: Ban on new cars, one dish at weddings - India Today

**Pakistan Implements Lockdown‑Like Austerity Measures Amid Fuel Crisis**

Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s government announced a sweeping set of austerity curbs on Monday as the country grapples with an acute fuel shortage intensified by soaring global oil prices and regional geopolitical tensions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s cabinet reinstated fuel‑conservation rules that include a ban on the registration of new private cars for three months, a restriction that aims to curb non‑essential vehicle use and reduce the nation’s dependence on imported petrol and diesel. In addition, the Ministry of Finance ordered that all public sector offices shut at 7 p.m. and that financial markets close at 9 p.m., cutting electricity demand during peak hours.

The new directives also target social gatherings and diplomatic protocols. Wedding receptions are limited to a single dish per guest, a move designed to lower the consumption of cooking gas and electricity, while official state dinners have been suspended indefinitely. Foreign travel for government officials and civil servants has been placed on hold, and any non‑essential overseas trips must receive special approval, officials said. The measures echo similar steps taken during the 2022 energy crisis, but the current roll‑out is described by authorities as “temporary and necessary” to avoid a deeper economic shock.

Economists warn that the curbs come at a time when Pakistan’s balance of payments is under severe strain, with a widening current‑account deficit and dwindling foreign‑exchange reserves. The fuel shock, linked to the escalating conflict in the Gulf region, has pushed domestic gasoline prices up by more than 50 % in the past two months, prompting public outcry and inflationary pressures on food and transport. While opposition parties have criticised the government for “panic‑driven” policies, the administration maintains that the austerity package is a stop‑gap to stabilize the economy until longer‑term energy reforms can be implemented.