Govt unveils energy conservation plan: Markets to close by 8:30pm, wedding halls 10pm.

ISLAMABAD -- Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Tuesday said the federal government had approved a new energy conservation plan under which markets/malls would close by 8:30pm, while it also banned the usage of inefficient appliances that would save the country around Rs62 billion annually.

Asif announced the cabinet's decision in a press conference. He was flanked by ministers Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, Federal Minister for energy Khurram Dastgir KhanKhurram Dastagir Khan, and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb.

The defence minister said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the concerned authorities to cut the usage of electricity by all departments of the federal government by 30%. The PM, according to Asif, also ordered the officials against unnecessary consumption of electricity in the offices.

Khawaja Asif told journalists that measures approved by the cabinet aim to save the cash-strapped country about Rs62 billion ($273.4 million) and help reduce the energy import bill.

Markets will be closed by 8:30pm

Wedding halls will be shut down by 10pm

All govt offices to install energy-efficient appliances

Use of inefficient fans of 120-130 watts to be banned

Filament bulbs will not be produced from Feb 1, 2023

Electronic motorbikes will be introduced in the country

Use of conical geysers to be made mandatory within a year

Committee formed to deliberate on Work From Home policy

Streetlights across the country will be turned on alternately

Awareness campaigns to be launched on electronic, social media

New building code is being devised to increase their energy efficiency

The minister said, in pursuance of his order, the federal cabinet meeting, in a symbolic action was also held without the use of any electricity.

"The cabinet, on the recommendation of the power division, has allowed enforcing the energy-saving plan which will be applied to the entire country," said Asif. He added that under the plan wedding halls would be bound to close at 10pm while markets at 8:30pm.

The minister said that if the guidelines regarding working hours were implemented in letter and spirit the country could save Rs62 billion.

Asif also announced that the factories producing fans run on electricity will be halted.

'Inefficient fans use around 120-130 watts of electricity. Across the globe, fans are available that use 60-80 watts,' he said, adding that the import duty on 'inefficient' fans would be...