Govt decides to close markets at 8:30pm, wedding halls at 10pm
The federal government on Tuesday decided to close the markets and restaurants at 8pm and wedding halls at 10pm across the country in order to reduce circular debt in the energy sector, defence minister Khawaja Asif said.
Addressing the joint press conference along with federal ministers, defence minister informed that the ‘energy saving plan’ has been approved in today’s cabinet meeting.
“The use of electricity in federal institutions will be reduced by 30% under the new policy,” he said.
Khawaja Asif said that the marriage halls will be closed at 10pm, while the markets will be closed at 8:30pm across the country. He further informed that federal cabinet did not use electricity in the meeting today.
The minister said that if these timings are implemented then the country will save Rs62 billion.
“We need to change our lifestyle, our habits and attitudes are different from the rest of the world,” Asif said.
Asif also announced that the factories producing fans run on electricity will be discontinued.
He said that the cabinet has also approved that manufacturing of incandescent bulbs will not be allowed after February 1, 2023, adding that, the move will save Rs22 billion.
Key features of energy conservation plan:
- Markets will be closed by 8:30pm
- Wedding halls will be shut down by 10pm
- Filament bulbs will not be produced from Feb 1, 2023
- Use of inefficient fans of 120-130 watts to be banned
- Electronic motorbikes will be introduced in the country
- All govt offices to install energy-efficient appliances
- Awareness campaigns to be launched on electronic, social media
- Committee formed to deliberate on WFH policy
- New building code being devised
- Use of conical geysers to be made mandatory within a year
- Streetlights will be used alternatively
