Pakistan’s government has ordered all malls and markets to close in the evenings as part of a new energy conservation plan
Pakistan’s government has ordered all malls and markets to close by 8:30 pm among other measures in a new energy conservation plan as the country grapples with an economic crisis.
The country’s foreign exchange reserve levels barely cover a month’s worth of imports, most of which are accounted for by energy purchases from abroad, with funds expected under an International Monetary Fund programme having been delayed, Reuters reported.
Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif told media that measures approved by the cabinet aims to save the cash-strapped country about $273.4 million.
He said additional immediate measures included shutting wedding halls by 10 pm daily. He added that some market representatives had pushed for longer hours, but the government decided that earlier closure was needed.
Major issues with Pakistan’s energy sector were highlighted by a recent report by Asian Development Bank, which shows that the country’s population grows by 2% per annum which increases the stress on the energy sector. The report also noted that a quarter of the population does not have access to power.
