Government announces energy saving program, markets to close at 8 pm

Suggestions will be sought from provinces regarding national energy saving program in 2 days, Khawaja Asif

The government has announced a national energy-saving program under which it has been decided to close marriage halls at 10 pm and markets at 8 pm.

Addressing a press conference after the federal cabinet meeting Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that the policy of austerity was being given.

He said that it has been decided to close marriage halls at 10 pm while markets and restaurants will be closed at 8 pm. He said that markets around the world are closed till 6 pm but in Pakistan, those remain open till 2 am.

Khawaja Asif said that 20 percent of the government employees will work from home and saving energy from various sources will benefit the economy by billions. He said that the decision will save eight to nine thousand megawatts of electricity and Rs62 billion.

He said that in the next two days suggestions will be sought from the provinces regarding energy saving as this was a national program of energy saving.

He further said that they were going to introduce e-bikes for which the import of electric bikes has started, in addition, old fans consume 120 to 130 watts of electricity while new fans use about 40 to 60 watts of electricity therefore the use of these fans will save Rs15 billion, the use of LED bulbs will save Rs23 billion. He said that by changing fans and air conditioning in homes 8,000 to 9,000 MW of electricity could be saved.

Khawaja Asif said that Rs28 billion will be saved monthly in terms of capacity payments while gas supply companies will provide saving equipment for geysers which will save Rs92 billion annually, and burning alternative street lights will save Rs4 billion rupees.