Energy conservation plan: Markets to close at 8:30pm, wedding halls 10pm

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Tuesday that the federal government has approved the energy conservation plan that will enforce the closure of markets at 8:30pm and wedding halls at 10pm.
Asif announced the cabinet’s decision in a press conference flanked by ministers Sherry Rehman, Khurrum Dastagir Khan and Marriyum Aurangzeb.
The defence minister said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to decrease the usage of electricity used by all departments of the federal government by 30%. He also directed against unimportant usage of electricity in offices.
The minister said, in pursuance of his order, the federal cabinet meeting in a symbolic action 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 will close at 10pm while markets will close at 8:30pm.
The minister said that if these timings are implemented than the country will save Rs62 billion.
Asif also announced that the factories producing fans run on electricity will be halted by July 1.
“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 will be increased to decrease its consumption.
Asif said that the production of fans run on electricity will be halted by July. “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 will be increased.
Moreover, he revealed that after Feb 1, 2023, incandescent bulbs would not be manufactured and additional taxes will be imposed on the ones that were imported. “We can say Rs22 billion by doing this.”
The minister went on to say that all government buildings and officers will consume efficient energy under the plan. “Court buildings and housing societies are also included in this.”
Asif also said that the government had decided to use street lights alternatively which he claimed would save Rs4 billion.
Furthermore, he said that the government would be introducing electric motorcycles this year. “Pakistan is using oil worth $3 billion annually. These e-bikes will be slightly expensive but we will provide financing and the costs will hopefully be covered within a year.”