Defense Minister Khawaja Asif revealed the federal cabinet’s Energy Conservation Strategy to save energy.
The cabinet has approved the Energy Conservation Strategy as the government resolves to reduce circular debt in the energy sector.
According to media sources citing the power division, circular debt rose from Rs2.253 trillion to Rs2.437 trillion, an increase of Rs185 billion.
All markets and commercial malls would close at 8:30 pm, and wedding venues at 10:00 pm across the country, said Defence Minister Khawaja Asif during a press briefing.
Khawaja Asif briefed the media on decisions made in an Islamabad cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He claimed an energy conservation strategy will enable Pakistan to save 8,000 to 9,000 megawatts of electricity and Rs62 billion a year.
The federal minister claimed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered federal government departments to reduce electricity use by 30%.
He said the cabinet has also formed a committee to report on work-from-home policies.
The federal government will introduce e-bikes this year; street lights will be converted to alternate energy, saving Rs4 billion.
After Feb. 1, 2023, incandescent bulbs will not be manufactured, he continued, “This initiative will save Rs22 billion.”
Asif added that the federal cabinet had ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the work-from-home policy and that the investigation will be concluded within eight to ten days.
The government, the minister said, was also introducing a building code for the construction industry due to the high expense of maintaining cement, iron, and glass.
He stated that the authorities have reviewed the conservation strategy with international dealers and that “there is consensus” on the matter.
“We went as far as briefing the president on the proposal. “He supported it and gave us additional constructive recommendations,” the minister told media, adding, “we asked him to play his part in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.”
