By WE Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal government has announced to close markets and restaurants early in the evening to conserve electricity and fuel.
Markets, commercial and shopping centres and restaurants will remain shut at 8 pm across the country in the coming weeks.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad along with Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and PM’s Adviser on Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that commercial and shopping centers, restaurants and food outlets will be closed at 8 pm in the evening, which will result in saving up to Rs 56 billion every month.
Closure of Market and Wedding Halls
He said that wedding halls will be closed down at 10 pm at night to allow families to wrap up their engagements and invitations at the stipulated time as part of the country’s energy-saving programme.
The minister said, “All markets, shopping centres, shopping malls and markets will be closed by 8 pm in the eveving,” adding that milk shops, medical stores and bakeries will be exempted from the new restrictions.
He said that a proposal was also under consideration to reduce 20 percent of the workforce in government offices, allowing employees to work from home to conserve electricity and transport costs.
Asif said that a new mechanism was also being devolved for maintaining street lights, which will also help save electricity.
