President Zardari, PM Shehbaz urge nationwide participation in Earth Hour
A view of lights shut off at the PM Office last year in observance of the International Earth Hour. PHOTO: FILE
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday urged the nation to actively participate in Earth Hour being observed on March 28, 2026.
President Zardari, in a post on X, encouraged citizens to switch off non-essential lights for one hour on the evening of March 28 and use the time to reflect on conserving energy, protecting the environment and supporting sustainable living efforts.
“I encourage all Pakistanis to switch off non-essential lights for one hour on the evening of 28th March 2026. Let us use that hour to reflect on how we can conserve energy, protect our environment & support efforts that promote sustainable living.”
~ President Asif Ali Zardari pic.twitter.com/2nt6QpDJ4xAccording to a statement from the PM's Office, the prime minister, in his message, also urged the nation to actively participate in Earth Hour.
Read: PM urges nationwide observance of Earth Hour on Saturday
In his message, the prime minister called on citizens to switch off or minimise the use of electricity and non-essential lighting from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.
He said that in a time marked by environmental challenges, Earth Hour serves as a reminder that protecting the planet is a shared and fundamental responsibility.
Observed this year under the theme “Give an Hour for Earth”, the initiative aims to promote environmental protection, efficient energy use and awareness about climate change.
The prime minister said Earth Hour is not merely a symbolic activity but a global moment of reflection that offers an opportunity to renew commitment towards a sustainable and resilient environmental future. He added that such conscious actions can collectively bring about significant positive societal change.
He emphasised that decisions taken today to address climate change and environmental degradation would shape the future of coming generations.
The prime minister said the government is working on a climate-resilient development agenda to tackle these challenges, highlighting initiatives including the Upscaling Green Pakistan Programme, the Living Indus Initiative, Recharge Pakistan, and the installation of modern warning systems in flood-affected areas.
He urged citizens to fully participate in the global campaign and to turn the message of environmental responsibility into a lasting way of life, laying the foundation for a greener, safer and more resilient Pakistan.
Observed annually on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour is marked symbolically by switching off non-essential lights between 8:30pm and 9:30pm local time.
Read: Capital switches off lights for Earth Hour
Last year, Earth Hour coincided with World Water Day 2025, calling for conserving freshwater resources and addressing the adverse impacts of climate change. Events are organised in major cities across Pakistan in observance of Earth Hour.
These events are typically attended by goodwill ambassadors, policymakers, government department officials, civil society organisations and the youth.
Multiple landmarks in Islamabad, including the President House, Prime Minister House, Parliament House, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Islamabad High Court, Pakistan Monument, D-Chowk, Pak-China Friendship Centre, Convention Centre and Jinnah Avenue switched off their lights during the Earth Hour to show commitment to the Earth.