Pakistan’s government ended Saturday as an official work day for its employees under energy-saving measures aimed at easing fuel shortages that have triggered rolling blackouts.
The purchase of new vehicles for use by officials and appliances such as air conditioners will be stopped, the volume of fuel allocated to government offices will be cut by 40 per cent and overseas trips will cease, according to Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. The nation is aiming to lower energy consumption at government offices by 10 per cent, she said.
Lunches, dinners and high teas will no longer be served to officials, and the government will also consider making Friday a mandatory work-from-home day for its employees. Discussions are being carried out with provincial authorities to switch off street lights on alternate days.
Pakistan is bearing the brunt of a global energy crunch prompted by rebounding post-pandemic demand and a squeeze on fuel supply as many nations shun Russian fuel exports because of the country’s war in Ukraine. Japan, another nation heavily reliant on energy imports, this week stepped up appeals to citizens and companies to conserve electricity.
Surging energy prices and blackouts are a test for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration, which came into power in April after a period of political upheaval. Mr Sharif made Saturday a working day for public servants soon after being elected.
The nation’s energy import costs doubled in the 10 months to the end of April, while supplies to some exporting industries were cut off. Restrictions on power use will pose further risks to key sectors, including the textile factories that account for about half of Pakistan’s export earnings.
Pakistan’s curbs on energy consumption by the public sector were taken to steer the country out of an “extraordinary situation”, Ms Aurangzeb said on Tuesday in Islamabad. The nation is producing 21,000 megawatts of electricity while a heatwave is pushing demand to 28,400 megawatts.
Mr Sharif’s government has also had to increase fuel prices by 40 per cent and electricity rates by almost 50 per cent to meet requirements set by the International Monetary Fund to resume a bailout programme that is key for the nation to avoid a default.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained
Defined Benefit Plan (DB)
A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.
Defined Contribution Plan (DC)
A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
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MATCH INFO
Rajasthan Royals 158-8 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 143/7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals won by 15 runs
In numbers
1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:
- 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
- 150 tonnes to landfill
- 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal
800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal
Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year
25 staff on site
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
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How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The%20specs
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The five pillars of Islam
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm
Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Top speed: 250kph
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: Dh146,999
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
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- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
