India, April 7 -- Pakistan has introduced what many observers are calling a "smart lockdown-style" energy control plan, focusing on limiting business hours instead of imposing a full shutdown.

The decision was finalised during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where officials reviewed the worsening fuel situation and the impact of global oil shortages.

Authorities directed markets, shopping malls, and commercial centres across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Pakistan-administered Kashmir to close earlier each day to conserve electricity and fuel.

The move comes as Pakistan attempts to reduce fuel consumption during a period of high global prices and supply disruptio...