Cash-strapped Pakistan on Tuesday introduced early closure of markets and wedding ceremony halls as half of a raft of measures underneath the power conservation plan as the federal government struggled to revive the economic system.

Briefing the media after a gathering of the cupboard which authorised the National Energy Conservation Plan to save power and reduce dependence on imported oil, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated markets would shut at 8.30 pm whereas wedding ceremony halls would shut doorways by 10.00 pm respectively, which can “save us Rs 60 billion”.

Announcing more measures, he said that manufacturing of incandescent bulbs would be stopped from February 1 while production of inefficient fans would be stopped from July. He said these measures would help to save another Rs 22 billion.

The government would also make the use of conical geysers mandatory within a year, which by using less gas would save Rs 92 billion, and alternative use of street lights would save another Rs 4 billion.

Asif said that all government buildings and offices would also reduce use of energy under the plan and a policy to work from home would also be completed in up to 10 days.

“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.

Asif also said that the cabinet planned to conserve 30 per cent of the electricity used by government departments, which would save Rs62 billion.

In another step, Asif said that electric motorcycles would be introduced by the end of this year to help cut the import of fuel.

“The plan to save energy is being enforced immediately and the cabinet will monitor it,” he stated.

Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman who accompanied the defence minister on the press convention stated the plan would additionally assist to sort out the local weather change concern.

“The world has been following this plan for some time and it’s crucial for us to change our habits,” she said and asked businesses to cooperate.

The measures to save energy come a day after the National Security Committee agreed that the revival of the economy is essential for national security.

Pakistan’s economic situation is facing “severe headwinds” with inflation being forecast to keep excessive between 21-23 per cent and the nation’s fiscal deficit widening by greater than 115 per cent within the first 4 months (July-October) of the present fiscal yr.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance in its Monthly Economic Update and Outlook final week stated that the financial development is probably going to stay under the budgeted goal in FY23 due to devastation brought on by floods.

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