Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter | The federal government of Pakistan has approved a new energy

conservation plan under which markets and malls will close by 8:30 pm, and restaurants, marriage halls will

close down by 10:00 pm respectively to save the Country’s energy around Rs62 billion annually.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed the concerned authorities to cut the usage of electricity to 30% in all departments of the federal government to save the energy.

However, the traders consider this decision irrelevant and harmful for their businesses and severely condem-

ned the government plan. 

Ajmal Baloch, the president of ‘All-Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran (APAT)’ said, “the shops will not close before 10pm, while restaurants will remain open until 11pm”.

Atiq Mir, the Chairman of All Karachi Tajjir Ittehad said, “The early close down will only cause lossed for poor

traders and masses, who are barely managing to survive, as the elite and rulers enjoyed all amenities”.

“If the government’s decision will impose forcefully, we will stop it with force too,” Atiq threatened.

Ather Chawla, All Pakistan Restaurant Association Chairman has strongly condemned the government energy conservative plan and said, “the industry is already facing the damage caused by COVID-19. Whenever the

country faces an emergency, only the business community bears the brunt.”

"Are we the only ones whom you can target?" he asked the incumbent government as he sought the revo-

cation of the decision.

“Karachi provides 70 per cent of revenue to the government, and its traders will not accept this decision,

which is not going to benefit them,” said Muhammad Ismail Lalpuria, spokesman of All Pakistan Anjuman-e-

Tajiran Sindh, Pakistan.

Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) President said,

“Major stores run double shifts to facilitate their customers, and if these stores are closed down earlier, they

have to run only one shift, which will result in layoff of employees."

“The economy is already in turmoil; government decision will make people jobless that only will increase ratio of unemployment.” he added

On the other hand, Muhammad Rizwan Irfan the president of Electronics Dealers Association, Karachi revealed that the Government of Sindh consulted the traders, restaurant owners, and wedding hall owners regarding

the energy-saving plan. “All stakeholders agreed that markets will remain open until 9-10pm while restaurants and wedding halls will be opened until 11-12pm.”

“However, despite Sindh government's assurance, the federal government has imposed a unilateral decision,”

Irfan lamented.