ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has ordered all shopping malls and markets to close at 8:30 p.m. among other measures in a new energy conservation plan, the defense minister said on Tuesday, 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 represented by energy purchases abroad, the funds expected under a Monetary Fund program international having been delayed.
Khawaja Asif told reporters that the cabinet-approved measures were aimed at saving the cash-strapped country an estimated 62 billion Pakistani rupees ($273.4 million).
He said additional immediate measures included closing wedding halls at 10 p.m. daily. He added that some market representatives had pushed for longer hours, but the government decided a faster shutdown was needed.
Asif also said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered all government departments to reduce electricity consumption by 30%.
The country’s foreign exchange reserve levels barely cover a month’s worth of imports, most of which are represented by energy purchases abroad, the funds expected under a Monetary Fund program international having been delayed.
Khawaja Asif told reporters that the cabinet-approved measures were aimed at saving the cash-strapped country an estimated 62 billion Pakistani rupees ($273.4 million).
He said additional immediate measures included closing wedding halls at 10 p.m. daily. He added that some market representatives had pushed for longer hours, but the government decided a faster shutdown was needed.
Asif also said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered all government departments to reduce electricity consumption by 30%.
