ISLAMABAD, May 5: A walk organised to create awareness of conservation among the energy starved citizens in the city on Monday proved to be a real eye-opener as Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf was welcomed on the public address system powered by a generator.

The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) organised the event in which Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco), civil society activists, Wapda officials and a good number of people participated. The walk started from China Chowk and ended near Parliament House.

The participants were carrying banners and placards inscribed with words: ‘Electricity saving is a source of help to our government,’ ‘Save electricity for the upcoming generation,’ ‘Use electricity as per need of your life’ and ‘Get rid of electricity loadshedding by self management.’

The rally turned out to be more a political gathering when hundreds of supporters of PPP raised slogans in favour of the newly elected minister.

Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director Pepco Munawar Baseer said water level had increased in Mangla from 40,000 to 54,000 cusecs.

He said the walk was first of its kind ever held in Pakistan. He said because of massive use of air conditioners in homes and offices, the demand for energy had gone up to 2,000 MW. “We have planned to save 1,000 MW of energy this year which means saving Rs66 billion.”

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said during the last nine years the previous government failed to add a single megawatt to the energy sector.

He said if we start work on an energy plant today it would take three years for completion.

He said people have to bear the tough time of electricity loadshedding till August 30. He said his ministry and Pepco would devise a short-term strategy to conserve energy. Mr Ashraf said those schools who would conserve more energy than others would be given scholarships.

He said the reservoir position of the country was improving and the current electricity crisis would ease within four months.

He said the country was facing a shortfall of 3,200 MW, so the government had prepared a short- and long-term energy conservation policy.