Chairman of the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP), Malik Muhammad Bostan, stated that the government’s clarification regarding the fake news circulating on social media about a smart lockdown is timely and reassuring for the public. He said the government promptly informed the public that the news was baseless, bringing relief to the nation.

He added that not only the business community but the entire nation had been in a state of uncertainty due to rumours of a smart lockdown, especially in the context of the ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which pose serious risks to the global and Middle Eastern economies. Petroleum prices have surged significantly, and most industrial raw materials are oil-based. At the same time, inflation continues to rise.

In such circumstances, he said, there is no need for any smart lockdown. Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif has also clearly stated that no smart lockdown is being imposed. Therefore, people should avoid spreading fake news and false posts.

Malik Muhammad Bostan further said that the economy is already under severe pressure, and businesspeople are worried about the current conditions. The most effective way to control rising energy prices is to end the war.

He welcomed the IMF agreement and said that, given the increasing likelihood of a US-Iran conflict, Islamabad has become more diplomatically active than ever. Pakistan’s foreign policy is moving in a positive direction, and the country’s leadership—particularly Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif—is playing a mediating role at this critical time.

Bostan added that the United States has approached Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir to mediate and help stop the war, which clearly indicates that Pakistan is an important player and is playing a dynamic and significant role in preventing conflict.