The Punjab government has ordered the closure of all theatres in the province from the 1st to the 13th of Muharram, according to a statement issued by the Punjab Arts Council.

The statement said no stage dramas, theatrical performances and cultural programmes will be allowed throughout the period in observance of the sacredness of Muharram.

Theatre managements have been asked to follow the restriction in letter and spirit and keep all entertainment events suspended for the first 13 days of the Islamic month.

Security arrangements for Ashura are also being finalised across the country.

Since the United States removed its naval blockade, five Iranian ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz.

At least three ships transporting crude oil and two carrying cargo have reportedly been able to transit through a vital waterway, according to Iranian media sources. In accordance with the deal with Iran, the US declared the lifting of its naval blockade, which led to this event.

A sizable supply of crude oil has sailed for Iranian ports, according to Iranian media.

With the maritime route gradually being restored, the normalising situation is reflected in the rise in naval activity in the Strait of Hormuz.

Authorities have been instructed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to accelerate the construction of a 100 megawatt solar energy plant in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The decision was given out during a review meeting on the Gilgit-Baltistan solar energy project, which was presided over by the prime minister. The federal government’s solar effort in the area was explained to concerned officials.

The prime minister declared during the meeting that the project, which aims to supply Gilgit-Baltistan residents with 100 megawatts of solar power, will be entirely funded by the federal government.

Additionally, he gave authorities instructions to finish the project as quickly as possible and to use impartial third-party review to guarantee openness at every level.

An 18 megawatt solar energy project has been planned for local government facilities, according to the briefing. This project is expected to be finished in the Gilgit and Diamir divisions by December 2026. It is anticipated that the Baltistan district’s government buildings would be fully solarised by October 2026.

An 82-megawatt solar energy project for homes in Gilgit, Skardu, Chilas, and Khaplu is also in progress, according to the briefing.

Senior government representatives, such as Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, and Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Amir Muqam, were present at the meeting.