Punjab withdraws blackout and prohibitory orders after India-Pakistan ceasefire

Chandigarh: Authorities in Punjab withdrew blackout and prohibitory orders on Saturday evening after India and Pakistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire.

District administrations in Patiala, Sangrur, Rupnagar, Barnala, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Fazilka lifted blackout directives, while officials in Jalandhar, Kapurthala, and Patiala also revoked restrictions on public movement. The blackout in Sangrur, which was scheduled from 8 pm to 6 am, was also cancelled, an official confirmed.

Patiala Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav said, “All orders of restrictions are thus withdrawn. Thank you for your support.” Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Agarwal issued a similar order, calling off earlier restrictions.

Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain said all prohibitory orders had been suspended and that normalcy had been restored. “Thank you all for your support and efforts in challenging times,” she said.

Earlier in the day, authorities in Jalandhar, Pathankot, and Kapurthala had advised the closure of markets and commercial establishments, urging people to avoid large gatherings.

On Friday, the Mohali administration had ordered the closure of cinema halls and shopping malls from sunset to sunrise until further notice.