Delegation headed by Khawaja Asif meets CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah to discuss energy conservation plan announced by the federal govt


KARACHI, Dec 22, (SABAH): A federal government delegation, led Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif met with Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah to discuss the energy conservation plan announced by the federal government.

The federal government unveiled its energy conservation plan on Tuesday, including the closure of all markets and restaurants at 8:00 PM and working from home in all government offices one day a week.

Apart from the defence minister the delegation also State Minister Dr. Musaddiq Masood Malik, and Housing and Works Minister Maulana Abdul Wasay,

In the meeting, the defence minister recommended utilising solar energy to their benefit, saying energy conservation is essential for economic stability.

The minister also suggested shifting the 9 am-5 pm office timings to 8am-4pm to utilise the sunlight.

CM Sindh said they must talk to marriage halls and market associations before deciding on early market closure. He added that they had received advice to shut restaurants at 10 pm, but they could make a final decision after talking to the restaurant union.

The CM suggested that he and the prime minister should engage with stakeholders on an individual level and reach a consensus to enforce energy conservation measures and soften the economic strains on the country.

State Minister for Petroleum Musaddiq Malik said the Pakistan needs to reduce its ever-increasing oil import bill and cater to the country’s Rs380 billion electricity theft to relieve the country’s economic tension.