ISLAMABAD (National Times) – A 22-member National Implementation Committee has been notified under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the energy saving plan.

The high-level committee include Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Finance Minister ishaq Dar, Commerce Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir, chief secretaries of four provinces and others.

The committee would monitor the short-term and long-term plans for energy conservation, production of energy-efficient equipment and other matters.

It would also hold talks with provinces to ensure the implementation of the plan. It would also recommend measures to tackle circular debt and cut energy import bill.

Earlier this month, the federal cabinet approved the National Energy Conservation Plan, introducing a slew of measures to ensure careful utilisation of national resources, including early closure of markets and restaurants and curbing unnecessary use of electric appliances in all government offices.

On Jan 3, the defence minister unveiling the salient features of the austerity plan at a media briefing after the cabinet approved it. He urged the people to change their lifestyle in order to conserve energy.

According to the energy conservation plan, restaurants, hotels, and markets would close by 8:30pm, while weddings halls by 10pm. Besides, the production of incandescent light bulbs and inefficient electricity fans would be stopped. The government also planned to levy additional duty on inefficient electric fans.

The plan was rejected by the Punjab government where the PTI is in the power and various trader bodies – a major challenge for the Centre to ensure implementation of energy saving measures across the country.