Early closure of markets
on the cards as govt seeks provinces’ support for energy conservation plan
Dawn.com Published
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that
the government would approach the provinces for the implementation of a policy
aimed at saving energy.The announcement comes a day after Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities concerned to take steps to reduce circular
debt in the energy sector.
“The distribution companies of Sui gas should
improve the system of recovery of bills and no additional burden should be put
on gas and electricity consumers,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.
Media reports quoting the power division have said
that the circular debt which stood at Rs2.253 trillion by end of September last
year had now reached Rs2.437 trillion, showing an increase of Rs185bn.
He said that estimates had shown that if 20 per
cent of the government workforce worked from home on a rotation basis, Rs56
billion could be saved. “It is mainly about the nation limiting its lifestyle,”
he said.
He further said that the timing of wedding halls
would be limited to
The minister said that by implementing these few
steps, the country would be able to save Rs62bn.
Asif said that the government was slowly working on
shifting to renewable energy but until that was achieved, such measures were
important.
He went on to say that energy-efficient fans and
bulbs would soon be introduced in the market, which would further help save Rs38bn.
“Similarly, if street lights are used alternatively, we would be able to save
Rs4bn.”
The minister also revealed that the government was
in talks with motorcycle companies for electric bikes. “The motorcycles that
run on petrol will slowly be phased out.
“We have begun imports for e-bikes and have started
negotiations with motorcycle companies for the modification of existing
motorcycles […] this will save us around Rs86bn,” he added.
If all these measures were translated, Asif
continued, “you will see that a lot of money can be saved”.
He added that the Ministry of Information would be
running a media campaign to spread awareness regarding these new measures among
the public.
Talking about water conservation, the minister said
that the government had devised ways through which rain water could be
harvested and used for daily household consumption. https://www.dawn.com/news/1727351/early-closure-of-markets-on-the-cards-as-govt-seeks-provinces-support-for-energy-conservation-plan
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