The government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has made the decision to enforce the closure of markets and commercial centers by 8pm daily as part of energy conservation efforts.
However, this decision has been met with resistance from traders who argue that 8pm is the peak time for business.
The government has also announced plans to include energy reforms in the upcoming budget for the next fiscal year in order to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel. These decisions were made during two meetings chaired by the Prime Minister on Tuesday.
After a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated that the provinces have agreed to implement the early market closure starting from July 1.
The proposed energy conservation measures include closing shops and commercial centers by 8pm, transitioning to LED lights, and upgrading geysers to improve energy efficiency. The government hopes that these measures can result in annual savings of up to $1 billion.
Previous attempts by the government to enforce early market closure have been unsuccessful, largely due to political pressures and resistance from traders.
Traders have once again expressed their opposition to the proposed measures, stating that they will not close their shops by 8pm during the current season. They argue that people tend to shop in the evening, particularly between 8pm and 11pm, and that implementing such measures would negatively impact the country’s economy.
During the meetings, energy and infrastructure issues were discussed, highlighting the challenges posed by high global energy prices.
The Planning Minister emphasized the need for energy conservation to address these challenges and reduce Pakistan’s vulnerability to fluctuations in oil prices.
The federal government aims to implement energy conservation measures and hopes that the provinces will support and implement the proposed energy conservation package.
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