Electricity and gas shortage in Pakistan during the winter season has become a must factor. Every year the rulers chant slogans during the summer that the government has overcome the issues of the shortage of energy. But, these slogans always proven wrong as with the beginning of winter season citizens face huge issues due to the shortage of electricity and gas. This time the government is also facing worst situation of economy due to which the citizens are already facing high rates of petroleum products. At this stage the government is planning to further increase the rates of petroleum products for dragging the country out of the current situation.
While considering the overall energy shortage in the country, the federal government on Tuesday announced an energy conservation policy. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Tuesday said the federal government had approved the energy conservation plan that enforces the closure of markets at 8:30pm and wedding halls at 10pm along with banning the usage of inefficient appliances that would save the country around R62 billion. Asif announced the cabinet’s decision in a press conference. He was accompanied by other ministers including Federal Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, Federal Minister for energy Khurram Dastgir Khan, and Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb.
The government has decided that markets will be closed by 8:30pm; Wedding halls will be shut down by 10pm; Use of inefficient fans of 120-130 watts to be banned; Filament bulbs will not be produced from Feb 1, 2023; All govt offices to install energy-efficient appliances; Electronic motorbikes will be introduced in the country; Awareness campaigns to be launched on electronic, social media; Committee formed to deliberate on WFH policy; New building code being devised; Use of conical geysers to be made mandatory within a year; and Streetlights across the country will be turned on alternately.
The decisions taken by the government are very good and are in the favor of the current situation being faced by the country. But, due to the current political instability in the country the decision of the federal government has been rejected by the Punjab government and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) while maintaining that the federal government did not took them in confidence in this regard. Besides these governments, Traders and restaurant owners have also categorically rejected the federal government’s decision to shut all malls and markets by 8:30pm in line with the new energy conservation plan. Ajmal Baloch, president All-Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran (APAT) said that the shops will not close before 10pm, while restaurants will remain open till 11pm. Terming the government’s strategy for saving energy by halting the economic growth “counter effective”, Ajmal suggested that government officials stop using air conditioners and heaters in offices while protocols and allowances are given to bureaucrats and rulers should be stopped.
The decision of closing the markets earlier is a wise decision and is in accordance with the norms of civilized world. But, in the current situation when sky rocketing inflation has badly impacted the masses across the country the government has brought such a policy which will further affect the citizens. Instead of taking energy conservations steps during the bad times the government should follow the lines of making long term policies of energy conservation in the good times. So that the decision may not affect the people when they are already affected.
Published in Daily Country News, January 4th, 2023.