Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Tuesday that the federal government has approved an energy conservation plan under which markets will be closed at 8:30 pm and marriage halls at 10 pm.
Asif announced the cabinet’s decision in a press conference along with ministers Sherry Rehman, Khurram Dastgir Khan and Maryam Aurangzeb.
The Defense Minister said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed a 30% reduction in the electricity used by all the departments of the federal government. He also directed against unnecessary use of electricity in offices.
The minister said that in compliance with his order, the meeting of the federal cabinet was also held without any electricity in a symbolic act.
“On the recommendation of the Power Division, the Cabinet has given its go-ahead to implement the Energy Saving Plan which will be implemented across the country,” Asif said. He added that under the plan marriage halls will close at 10 pm while markets will close at 8:30 pm.
The minister said that if these times are followed, the country will save 62 billion rupees.
Asif also announced that factories manufacturing electric fans would be stopped.
Inefficient fans use about 120-130 watts of electricity. Around the world, fans are available that consume 60-80 watts,” he said, adding that import duty would be increased on “inefficient” fans to reduce its consumption.
The Defense Minister said that the government is implementing a program to reduce power consumption in fans. He said that all government institutions will install efficient devices to save electricity, adding that inefficient devices have been banned.
He added that the cabinet has also approved that manufacturing of incandescent bulbs will not be allowed after February 1, 2023. According to the minister, this initiative will save 22 billion rupees.
Asif said the government is also bringing a building code for the construction sector as the maintenance cost of cement, iron and glass is high.
The minister also announced that e-bikes will be introduced across the country.
“We are gradually shifting to electric bikes. People will be financed through dealers to move to these facilities,” the minister said. He further said that Pakistan is consuming $3 billion worth of oil annually.
The Minister also announced that the Cabinet has directed to constitute a committee to submit a report on the implementation of work from home in offices.
The federal minister said that President Arif Alvi has supported the plan of the federal government. He said that the government has spoken to all the provinces and stakeholders and taken everyone’s stand on it as it will be a permanent feature that will be beneficial for the country.
Asif said that this project will benefit everyone in the long run. He said that the cabinet will monitor it and review the plan to be implemented immediately.
Energy conservation plan unveiled.
On December 20 last year, the federal government unveiled its energy conservation plan, which required all markets and restaurants to close at 8 pm.
However, now that time has been changed.
In the same press conference, Khawaja Asif announced that the federal government will finalize the plan after consultation with the rest of the provinces.
In compliance with this announcement, a delegation of the federal government visited the provinces to discuss the matter.
The committee also met President Arif Alvi last week.
The President called for the launch of a consensus-based, comprehensive and comprehensive power, gas and water conservation strategy across the country to conserve precious national resources and use them for the welfare and prosperity of the people. Can be turned.
