Pakistan Trims Working Week By a Day to Help Fix Energy Crisis
Government officials will no longer be required on Saturdays under power-saving measures that will also limit use of street lights.
Pakistan is producing 21,000 megawatts of electricity and has demand of 28,400 megawatts amid a new heatwave.
Photographer: Asad Zaidi/BloombergPakistan’s government ended Saturday as a work day for its employees under a raft of energy-saving measures aimed at easing fuel shortages that have triggered rolling blackouts.
Purchases 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% and overseas trips will be halted, according to Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. The nation is aiming to lower energy consumption at government offices by 10%, she said.