Clocks to be advanced by an hour from Sunday

ISLAMABAD: Country’s people will move forward their clocks by one-hour from Sunday to get maximum benefit from the daylight in the wake of power crisis. Addressing a press conference, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Saturday said the government has prepared comprehensive plan to overcome loadshedding problem in the country within a year.
The minister said power will also be saved by implementing energy conservation plan under which in coming 90 days from first of June all shopping plaza owners will be asked to close their shops after 9 p.m.
Similarly, WAPDA will not supply power to billboards using electric lights besides saving through management of street lights. He said shopkeepers will be encouraged to close their shops on Friday instead of Sunday.
He said under the decision of special cabinet meeting all government offices have been issued direction to stop use of air conditioners during 8 a.m. to 11 a.m..
He said international standard energy saver bulbs are being purchased to promote culture of installing such bulbs in the country. He added steps are also being taken to control line losses and those officials who will involve in such losses will face action.
He said the special meeting of the cabinet has decided that experts and concerned stakeholders will be involved in the planning to overcome power shortage problem in the country by implementing their inputs.
The minister said the country is facing 4,500 MW power shortfall in power generation and low level of water in the dams. The minister however said the government has planned to resolve loadshedding problem within a short period.
He said after one year, there will be no loadshedding in the country as the government is taking sincere steps in this regard following the direction of the Prime Minister.
He said the government has planned to include 6,000 MW power in the system. He said the government will encourage private sector to invest in power sector to overcome the power crises and to facilitate the electricity customers.
He said oil price in international market is gradually increasing however the government is trying to maintain the power tariff. He said the government affords subsidy of 80 paisa per unit despite the fact that expenses on thermal unit increases.