Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed that electric lights be switched off to the maximum extent possible across Pakistan from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on March 28 in observance of Earth Hour 2026, reaffirming the country’s commitment to environmental protection and climate awareness. A notification issued by the Cabinet Division confirmed that the prime minister has instructed all federal ministries, divisions, provincial governments, and public institutions to participate actively in the global campaign under this year’s theme, “Give an Hour for Earth.”
The initiative encourages citizens, organisations, and governments to dedicate one hour to meaningful action for nature conservation, energy efficiency, and climate responsibility, with the observance coinciding with a worldwide symbolic switch-off of non-essential lights. Earth Hour is a global movement launched by the World Wide Fund for Nature in 2007 and is now observed annually in more than 190 countries and territories, making it one of the largest grassroots environmental campaigns in the world. This year’s observance carries added significance as it marks the 20th anniversary of the campaign, with communities across the globe being encouraged not only to switch off their lights but also to take practical and measurable steps supporting sustainability, biodiversity protection, and climate action.
The official theme “Give an Hour for Earth” places collective responsibility at the centre of the message, calling on individuals and institutions alike to dedicate time to planet-friendly actions such as conserving electricity, reducing waste, and supporting nature-positive initiatives. Observed every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour is symbolically marked between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm local time, with landmarks, public buildings, and households around the world participating simultaneously. Pakistan’s participation under a formal prime ministerial directive reflects the government’s intent to move beyond symbolic gestures and align the country’s institutional framework with the broader global push for climate responsibility and sustainable development.
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