Markets to close at 8:30pm and wedding venues at 10pm: Khawaja Asif

Picture - source AFP

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that the federal cabinet has approved the energy conservation plan, which would force markets to close at 8:30 p.m. and wedding venues to close at 10 p.m.

Ministers Sherry Rehman, Khurrum Dastagir Khan, and Marriyum Aurangzeb joined Asif during a press conference to announce the cabinet’s decision.

According to the defence minister, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a 30% reduction in the amount of power utilized by the entire federal government. He also spoke out against the unnecessary use of electricity in offices.

The minister said that, by his directive, the federal cabinet meeting was also held symbolically without the use of any electricity.

According to the power division’s suggestion, the cabinet has approved the implementation of an energy-saving plan that will be used throughout the entire nation.

He noted that under the proposed schedule, markets would close at 8:30 p.m. and wedding halls at 10 p.m. “If these timings are implemented, the nation will save Rs62 billion.”

Asif also said that the factories making electric fans would stop operating by July 1.

Inefficient fans consume between 120 and 130 watts of power. Fans that consume 60 to 80 watts are widely accessible worldwide, he said, adding that the import duty on “inefficient” fans will be raised to reduce their usage.

The government is implementing a scheme to lower the amount of electricity used by fans, according to the defence minister. All governmental institutions will install energy-saving technology, he claimed, and ineffective technology has been outlawed.

He continued by saying that the cabinet has also agreed to ban incandescent bulb production beginning on February 1, 2023. The decision, according to the minister, will save Rs22 billion.

The minister added that a committee would be formed and mandated by the cabinet to produce a report on adopting work-from-home policies in workplaces.

President Arif Alvi, according to the minister, has endorsed the federal government’s strategy. He claimed that because this would be a long-term development that would be advantageous for the country, the government had consulted with all the provinces and interested parties.