ISLAMABAD: Lights were switched off in some parts of Islamabad to celebrate Earth Hour on Saturday night. At 8:30pm, most public buildings observed an hour-long blackout to conserve energy.

Observed each year, the Earth Hour was promoted in Islamabad by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). It is one of the largest environmental activities organised globally.

Islamabad joined cities across the world in switching off lights for one hour to raise awareness about climate change. The many lights at the National Assembly, Election Commission of Pakistan, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Faisal Mosque, National Monument, Pak-China Friendship Centre, Daman-i-Koh, Lake View Park, Convention Centre, Capital Development Authority and many main avenues were switched off at 8:30pm.

Since its origin in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour is observed in 7,000 cities across the world. Pakistan joined the movement in 2010. Earth Hour was also observed in Karachi and Lahore and was promoted by celebrities such as Ayesha Omar, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ayesha Khan, Saba Hameed, Ali Noor, Saeed Ajmal, Deepak Perwani and Nazir Sabir.

On Saturday, the WWF cancelled candle lighting ceremony outside the Parliament due to rain.

WWF Director General Hammad Naqi Khan, in a message, said: “Pakistan is among the top 10 countries affected by climate change and this environmental challenge can have a serious impact on our water economy. This year, we join in the Earth Hour to show our commitment to our planet. Switching off lights for one hour is a symbolic gesture.”

This was the sixth year WWF-Pakistan spearheaded Earth Hour celebrations in Pakistan. WWF-Pakistan has been attempting to sensitise the corporate sector, policy-makers, business community, educational institutions and political leaders for Earth Hour activities since 2010. WWF-Pakistan aims to educate people in sustainable use of natural resources, environmental reform and implementation of greener laws.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play