Punjab to enforce energy saving plan from next week

LAHORE: Punjab has also decided to follow the suit like Sindh to enforce an  energy conservation plan to address the power crisis, citing sources ARY News reported on Saturday.

The authorities have completed consultations with traders bodies and chambers of commerce, informed sources said. The implementation of the energy saving plan will begin from the next week, according to sources.

According to sources, markets in Punjab will open early in the morning and close by 9:00pm.

Pharmacies, bakeries and petrol pumps will be exempted from timing restrictions. The authorities also mulling over an early closure of restaurants and hotels.

The energy saving plan will come into force in the first phase for a period of two months. The matter will be considered against after months of July and August, sources said.

“We are on board with the government over the national interest decision,” President Lahore Chamber of Commerce Noman Kabeer has stated. “The energy conservation plan will save the electricity and petroleum,” he said.

“Presently, it is national duty to save petrol and electricity,” he said while advising general public to ensure minimum use of electricity.

It is to be mentioned here that the Sindh government on Friday announced the closure of all markets including shopping malls by 9:00 pm across the province to conserve electricity amid a crippling power crisis faced by the country.

According to a notification, markets will be closed by 9:00pm, marriage halls at 10.30pm and restaurants at 11:00pm.

“All markets, shopping malls and shops shall be closed by 9pm,” the notification read. Milk shops, bakeries and carriage vehicles for dairy products have been exempted from timing restrictions.

The order comes into force with immediate effect and will remain in force for a period of one month, it added.