Thursday, May 15, 2008, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 8, 1429    

Time to be advanced by one hour from June 1
Shops to be closed on Friday lNo ACs in govt offices from 8.00 am to 11.00 am

Staff Reporter

Islamabad—People all across the country will have 60 additional minutes to utilize before sunset, as the government has announced to advance the official time by one hour from June 1 to utilize maximum daylight.
Addressing a joint press conference with the Federal Minister for Information, Sherry Rehman after a cabinet meeting here, Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf said the commercial plazas will now be closed till 9 pm.
He said the shopkeepers will be encouraged to keep their shops open on Sundays and close on Fridays to distribute the electricity more equitably throughout the week.
The minister also announced to import a total of 1200 MW of electricity soon.
The advancement of time will remain effective for 90 days.
He said the all air conditioners in government buildings including Prime Minister House will be kept inoperative FROM 8:00 am to 11:00 am every day.
He said 50 per cent of the street lights will be utilized while one million energy savers will be provided to conserve energy. There will be ban on commercial hoardings powered by electricity use, Raja Pervez Ashraf added.
The minister said earlier the government had planned to resolve loadshedding problem in three years however the cabinet has decided to handle the situation within one year.
Pervaiz Ashraf 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.”
Besides, the minister said the cabinet has also decided to include 1,200 MW thermal power in the system within 12 to 18 months through competitive bidding to be initiated in a transparent manner on tariff fixed by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
He said international bidders will be invited to join the process to be started by May 20 through an advertisement which will be supervised by Secretary Water and Power, Chairman NEPRA and representatives of media.
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 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.
He said the country is facing 4,000 MW power shortfall due to shortage in power generation and low level of water in the dams. He added presently power generation is almost half than the last year.
The minister said 500 MW will also be saved by implementing energy conservation plan under which in coming 90 days from first of this July all shopping plaza owners will be asked to remain close their shops after 9:00pm.
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 remain close their shops on Friday instead of Sunday.
He said the government with the support of World Bank will purchase one million international standard energy saver bulbs from reputed firms to promote culture of installing such bulbs in the country. The minister said the cabinet has decided to stop use of air conditioners during 8:00am to 11:00am in Prime Minister House, Secretariat and other government offices.
He said a committee has been constituted to resolve the financial problems of the Ministry of Water and Power particularly regarding outstanding amounts due on provinces and departments.
He said total outstanding amount on various departments is Rs. 207 billion. He said a task force has been set up to control line losses. He added those officials who will involve in such losses will face action while reward will be announced for those who will contribute to reduce line losses.