Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal government unveiled its energy conservation plan, according to which all the restaurants and markets will be shut down at 8pm to save energy.
Addressing a news conference after the federal cabinet meeting, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the wedding halls would be closed at 10pm as part of the energy conservation plan.
The minister added that the restaurants’ closing timing may be extended for an hour or so.
“If 20 percent of the employees are sent to work from home on a rotational basis, this will save PKR 56 billion,” Asif said.
The minister also said that the federal government recommended switching street lights on alternately, saving about PKR 4 billion.
Govt to introduce e-bikes as part of energy conservation plan
“The federal government is also introducing e-bikes in the country, which will phase out the existing bikes that use petrol as energy. The government is negotiating with the manufacturing companies to phase out the existing bikes and these bikes,” said the minister.
Khawaja Asif said that the federal government is reaching out to all four provinces to inform them regarding the policy and take them on board. He said it is a national program and will be implemented with consensus.
Asif added that this plan would be finalized on Thursday after consultations with the rest of all provinces.
The minister said that the country could not afford the current living conditions as it is going through serious economic circumstances.
“If we want to live within our means, then we will need to change our habits,” said the defence minister. He said that billions of rupees could be saved by conserving energy through different sources.
“Austerity will become a part of our nation which will end the economic worries of the country,” said the minister.
Meanwhile, Adviser to Prime Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira dismissed rumors of Pakistan’s default and assured that the country would not default. He asked the people to accept the government’s policy.
“The biggest issue of Pakistan is the import bill which is $26 to $28 billion, and it keeps increasing. There is no other way for us than to take these steps, and the nation will have to cooperate with the government,” said Kaira.
