ISLAMABAD : Jan 3,2023:: The federal, cabinet which met here on Tuesday with prime minister , Shahbaz Sharif , in the chair , approved energy conservation plan ,2023 to reduce oil import bill and make maximum utilisation of daylight for commercial activities in Pakistan.
Under energy conservation plan 2023, the business centres will close across Pakistan daily at 8.30 pm and wedding halls/ marquees will close at 10 pm.
Defence minister , Khawaja Asif who was accompanied by Information minister, Maryam Aurangzeb, Power minister, Khurrum Dastgir, Environment minister , Shairi Rehman and Housing minister Abdul Wasah , told a press conference after the cabinet meeting that energy conservation plan 2023 will become effective across Pakistan forthwith.
He said the cabinet approved ban on manufacturing of obsolete bulbs and inefficient fans. He claimed that energy conservation will save Rs 200 billion annually.
He also claimed that the use of e bikes will save $ 3 billion annually in import of petrol.
Khawaja Asif said prime minister , Shahbaz Sharif , has ordered 30% cut in energy use to contribute government share in energy conservation. He said the government is shifting all government offices on solar energy to save costly energy.
Khawaja Asif said whole world except Pakistan was getting power from solar system and the government is struggling to shift Pakistan to solar energy to cut down its cost of energy production. Khawaja Asif added that Pakistan is having a different life style as whole world closed businesses and other commercial activities, but Pakistan as of today has no such strategy in place. He said Pakistan is blessed with unparalell daylight but we do not use this God gifted blessing. He suggested that in Pakistan housing designing should also be changed to make it less energy.consuming . He said the federal cabinet approved energy conservation plan after due consideration with all stakeholders including traders bodies . He said the people use 29000 MW power in summer and only ,12000 MW in winter. This difference shows how we are misusing electricity . He urged for better building codes to save electricity.
The minister said the government will create awareness among public for energy conservation.
Khawaja Asif said to make judicious use of water the government plans to rationalise water charges . He said the government has approached to president , Dr Arif Alvi, to play a role in convincing Punjab and. KPK government to implement energy conservation plan 2023.
He said the government will review free electcity facility being enjoyed by employees of power
companies.
