Good news for Pakistani's Two holidays in a week, likely by mid April

The Government is giving serious consideration to opt for ‘two holidays a week’ as a part of energy conservation plan being implemented by mid April.

The government had earlir annuled the decision of ‘two holidays a week’ on November 27,2010.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will announce specific measures for nationwide energy conservation during energy summit scheduled to be held by mid April, official sources said.


The summit will be attended by the Chief Ministers of all the four provinces and heads of all the stakeholders in energy and power sectors.

Meanwhile National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Water and Power on Monday was briefed on water and power position in the country.

The meeting discussed several measures for energy conservation. Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) apprised the meeting about certain measures for energy conservation which highlighted the need of two holidays of week to overcome the shortage of power.

The PEPCO suggested public awareness campaign through electric and print media. In addition, a separate campaign was suggested to ask the people for keeping AC thermostat at 26 degree. Besides this PEPCO suggested closure of markets and shops by 8 pm.

The PEPCO proposal for energy conservation includes 50 percent reduction of lights of President and Prime Minister Houses and Secretariats, houses of Federal Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, Provincial Ministers offices/residences and all government offices.

In addition to this ban on commercial decorative lights has been also proposed by the PEPCO.

Besides this the government is also considering mandatory energy audit of industrial, commercial and public concerns and enforcement of energy building code which is under preparation.