Early closure of markets on the cards as govt seeks provinces’ support for energy conservation plan

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that the government would approach the provinces for the implementation of a policy aimed at saving energy. The announcement comes a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities concerned to take steps to reduce circular debt in the energy sector. “The distribution companies of Sui gas should improve the system of recovery of bills and no additional burden should be put on gas and electricity consumers,” the prime minister was quoted as saying. Media reports quoting the power division have said that the circular debt which stood at Rs2.253 trillion by end of September last year had now reached Rs2.437 trillion, showing an increase of Rs185bn. Briefing the media after a meeting of the federal cabinet, Asif that the PM had held several meetings on the issue and a final decision would be taken by Thursday. He said that estimates had shown that if 20 per cent of the government workforce worked from home on a rotation basis, Rs56 billion could be saved. “It is mainly about the nation limiting its lifestyle,” he said.