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ISLAMABAD, (MANEND NEWS): Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday announced the incumbent government’s plan to save energy and reduce its consumption nationwide.
During a presser, the minister stated that a federal cabinet meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, decided to shut markets at 8:30 pm and marriage halls at 10 pm.
“This policy will save us Rs60 billion,” Asif maintained.
The defence minister furthered that the production of fans run on electricity will be stopped by July. He stated that inefficient fans use around 120-130 watts of electricity, and globally fans consuming less energy were available.
He added that the import duty on “inefficient” fans would be increased.
Asif also revealed that after February 1 incandescent bulbs would not be manufactured and additional taxes will be imposed on the ones that were imported. He stated that an additional Rs22 billion could be saved by the initiative.
“No lights were on in the cabinet meeting today. The meeting was held in full sunlight,” he said, providing an example for the country to follow. He said that the federal cabinet planned to conserve 30% of the electricity used by government departments, which would save Rs62 billion.
Additionally, the cabinet decided that only half of all street lights would remain powered on across the nation.
Asif noted that many countries were already running on such models, however, Pakistan’s markets and offices remained open past midnight.
The minister disapproved of shops opening at noon or 1 pm, and maintained that the nation should make use of the natural sunlight and maximise its use in homes as well.