QUETTA: The federal government has thrashed out a strategy for energy conservation and started consultations with provincial governments in order to remove its flaws before implementation, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said during a meeting at the Quetta Airport on Wednesday.

Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, Prime Minister’s Adviser Qamar Zaman Kaira, Maulana Abdul Wasey of the JUI-F and Energy Secretary Rashid Mahmood Langaryal accompanied Khawaja Asif.

The defence minister said the government was determined to save energy consumption by adopting drastic measures that would require the nation to make “radical changes in lifestyle”. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the cabinet to share recommendations of a special committee for energy conservation with the provincial governments, the minister said.

The present government inherited a host of problems after taking over in April, a lack of money among them. “But the floods made matters worse by rendering millions of people homeless and financially vulnerable,” the defence minister observed.

Khawaja Asif said the entire world, except Pakistan, opens for business in the morning and downs shutters by sunset. “But the situation is starkly different in our country as markets remain open till late in the night, causing a colossal waste of energy.”

The minister said the special committee had suggested closure of markets and business establishments by 8pm and restaurants by 10pm. “The panel has also suggested changing the working hours of government offices.”

He expressed confidence that the nation would cooperate with the government in implementing the energy conservation strategy.

Khawaja Asif and other members of his delegation stayed at Quetta airport for several hours before returning to Islamabad. Senator Manzoor Kakar, Balochistan’s Finance Minister Zamarak Khan Achakzai and representatives of the Traders and Farmers Action Committee had a meeting with Khawaja Asif at the airport and offered suggestions for resolving the energy crisis.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2022