ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday directed the Ministry of Water and Power to take steps for the conservation of electricity — including considering early closure of shops and markets

The premier issued the directives while chairing a meeting on the energy situation in the country.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Secretary Water and Power Younus Dhaga and Secretary Petroleum Arshad Mirza.

The officials of the ministry informed PM Nawaz that the country is currently facing a shortfall of around 5000-6000 MW which is expected to rise with the passage of time.

PM Nawaz directed that load-shedding in summers should not be more than six hours in urban areas and eight hours in rural areas.

The participants of the meeting discuss the progress on power generation projects which are being undertaken to meet the energy shortfall.

PM Nawaz said the government is taking all necessary steps to meet the energy shortage in the country, adding that his government expects to add around 10,000 MW of electricity to the national grid which includes generation through solar, wind, hydro, nuclear as well as through Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).