ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal announced that Centre and provincial governments have unanimously decided to shut markets by 8pm across country under ‘energy conservation plan’.

Talking to journalists after meeting of National Economic Council chaired Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved estimated budget figures. “NEC has approved an energy conservation plan under which shops and commercial centres would be closed by 8pm,” he announced, noting that energy has become huge challenge for Pakistan due to global prices.

“Saudi Arabia has cut down oil production by one million barrels, which poses risk of oil prices rising to $ 100 per barrel,” he said, highlighting that if country continued to rely on fossil fuel and oil for its energy needs, “Our economy will remain vulnerable”.He said it is one of measures that government wanted to implement pertained to energy conservation. He pointed out that Cabinet vowed to enforce decisions under National Energy Conservation Plan last year. “However, there was no representation of provinces in that meeting,” he said. “But now we hope that provincial governments will ensure implementation of energy conservation package that has been approved,” he added.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 07 2023

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