A proposal to impose a nationwide smart lockdown was opposed after provinces disagreed with the move during a high-level meeting of the national leadership chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad.
According to sources, the meeting reviewed the option of enforcing smart lockdowns across the country, but provincial governments disagreed with the proposal and resisted its implementation at a national level.
The government deliberated on austerity measures as it grappled with the difficult task of safeguarding livelihoods while managing the economic fallout of rising oil prices triggered by the ongoing Middle East crisis.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to further tighten austerity measures and ensure full implementation of steps aimed at energy and fuel conservation, the sources said.
