In order to stabilize the down falling economy, the federal cabinet last month tried to implement bold decisions that include the closure of markets at 8:30pm and wedding halls at 10pm – which is seen unreal in whole Pakistan, the use of effective electric appliances, and a 40 per cent reduction in power consumption in government offices. The good and bold move was appreciated by many citizens but question how it will be implemented in Pakistan where raising late in the morning is routine of almost every family and waiting for sun to set before they go out for shopping, for eating, and even for jogging.
Whenever there are economic issues in energy supplies, there are instant calls for shutting the markets by 8pm. A research study by ‘Business Recorder’ concludes that the commercial sector’s share in electricity consumption is only 10 %. The market closure suggestion has not been accepted by the commercial sector and remains mainly unimplemented.
This early to bed, early to rise policy faced a critical challenge in the past also at the hands of customary trends. Public is not used to restrictions and behave in a wayward manner when it comes to consumption and saving of natural resources.
We, as a nation, must change some of our bad habits – especially in these times of unprecedented financial crunch. One of the bad habits is rising late, which means failing to make use of the immense daylight we are blessed with by the Almighty Allah. We shamefully take pride in our night life – regardless of being an energy-starved country. We wait for the sun to set before we step out of our homes: for shopping, for eating, for picnicking, and even for normal jogging. There used to be times when we had marriage functions in the day; but now holding nuptial celebrations in a day time is considered an act of backward people. Commercial activities, in big cities, routinely start around midday to run well after the evening – even close to midnight in many cases, such as restaurants.
Punjab has refused to cooperate with PDM’s austerity measures, while KP has already excused itself by saying it needs more time to consider. The implementation of these energy conserving measures need more considerations than political motives.
We cannot continue to waste the energy of nature and should use them for our benefits, when we are out of funds and borrowing desperately just to keep afloat. Nevertheless, we cannot also save our drowning economy by closing businesses early and encouraging the adoption of energy-efficient fans, lights and motorbikes alone. These measures are appreciable but the government needs to do much more.
The format of change will not bear fruitful results if the policy is not supported with consistency and strict retribution. For a nation blessed with year-round sunlight and water downstream from the Himalayas, preservation and consuming these natural resources in an ordained manner is crucial.