PM directs ministry to consider early closure of shops to save power

E-Paper | April 24, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday directed the Ministry of Water and Power to take steps for the conservation of electricity — including considering early closure of shops and markets

The premier issued the directives while chairing a meeting on the energy situation in the country.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Secretary Water and Power Younus Dhaga and Secretary Petroleum Arshad Mirza.

The officials of the ministry informed PM Nawaz that the country is currently facing a shortfall of around 5000-6000 MW which is expected to rise with the passage of time.

PM Nawaz directed that load-shedding in summers should not be more than six hours in urban areas and eight hours in rural areas.

The participants of the meeting discuss the progress on power generation projects which are being undertaken to meet the energy shortfall.

PM Nawaz said the government is taking all necessary steps to meet the energy shortage in the country, adding that his government expects to add around 10,000 MW of electricity to the national grid which includes generation through solar, wind, hydro, nuclear as well as through Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

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Sandhu

Apr 02, 2015 04:54pm

We remembered some election stunts to overcome load-shedding in just 6 months. We will ask you when you will return to us for votes.

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Zak

Apr 02, 2015 05:00pm

In your election campaign you pledged to increase electricity supply, now you are closing things down. Your usual false promises, to be remembered in next elections.

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aman

Apr 02, 2015 05:17pm

in my area of islamabad we are already facing 7 hours of load shedding......and this will increase so here you go pm sahib 6 hour urban area load shedding plan failed right here right now and you were supposed to bring electricity in six months.....

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prada

Apr 02, 2015 05:38pm

Start office hours from 7 30 am and close by 3 30 PM as is the case in Arab world

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Majid Sheikh

Apr 02, 2015 05:45pm

Sensible and long overdue move by Nawaz. Shops should open from 9 to 5 like they are all over the world.

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Aurangzeb

Apr 02, 2015 06:06pm

It's been going for years not sure what's taking so long , all should be open to business from 6am-6pm.

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shamain

Apr 02, 2015 06:33pm

Pakistan should implement day light saving time.

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ali

Apr 02, 2015 06:47pm

An excellent decision in my view!

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Qamar Faruqui

Apr 02, 2015 06:50pm

Shame on you instead of providing earning opportunities for the poor masses you are penalizing them cut down their earnings .Why could you not solve the power crisis?

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Gerry dcunha

Apr 02, 2015 07:08pm

Mr prime minister this was not your election slogans? Will you be able to use your slogans to your voters for the next election in 2018.

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SAT

Apr 02, 2015 07:13pm

Stop all airconditioning all over Pakistan till power situation improves.

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rana1

Apr 02, 2015 07:29pm

This will keep the women and children in check and back in their homes before maghrib as ordained by the Prophetic hadith..

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Apr 02, 2015 07:31pm

Mr. PM: Bring back the Pakistani culture of 9-5 store timing also. The store keepers and employees can spend time with families like any other civilized country.

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Junaid

Apr 02, 2015 07:35pm

start govt and private offices right after Fajr time so they can be closed by 2-3PM. Secondly, cities like Sibbi and Jocoabad, Thar and Tharparker where there is abundance of shun shine, have the people run their needs on solar energy. Govt should make solar energy cheaper. Karachi with its wind from the coast should use windmills to at least contribute some what to their massive demand. Above all please shut the electricity in the PM and President house which is hosting 1 person each and costing millions of rupees.

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Ali

Apr 02, 2015 08:04pm

@Majid Sheikh, which "all over the world are you talking about"? No where do the shops close at 6 PM. The retail business stays open till late all over the world. Besides, in Pakistan, the kiryana store owners barely make ends meet, and now if they are asked to close early, that't just a disaster for them .

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Irfan

Apr 02, 2015 08:05pm

This is not the solution. We need to think of power generation. In the States a house is being run entirely on solar power. The roof is made entire of solar sheets. Pakistan is blessed with sunshine. Especially in the simmer time sunshine is abundant.

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Shahid Iqbal

Apr 02, 2015 08:08pm

Yes shops must close by Aisha prayers and remain open late upto 10.pm once a week as well friday even food outlet and chemist must close by 11.pm as well as Petrol pump expect high way pumps.

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Shahid Iqbal

Apr 02, 2015 08:15pm

Only way to make nation to work promptly.

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Be+

Apr 02, 2015 08:57pm

Cant they shut down their AC 's and other luxury appliances in Govt offices. In-spite of shops to shut down .As did in India year back.

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ARSHAD JAMIL

Apr 02, 2015 09:56pm

Why should not the chambers of commerce, and various trade group take some initiative and have all shops close at 5 PM. PERIOD. Only in Pakistan, we have shops and markets open at 1PM, and no where else in the world. That is just most irresponsible from all considerations. Only in Pakistan, People take very late dinner at 10 or 11PM, which is not healthy, and then they have to sleep late morning. Start your day early, Pl. Wake up early, Pl.

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Lucky Star

Apr 02, 2015 10:01pm

Instead of closing the shops early. we should use the Saudi Aabian model to do the busness. Open the shops after Asar and close aroud 10 pm. This will be convenient for the government workerds an 8:00- 5:00 workers to do the shoping .

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Apr 02, 2015 10:34pm

@Majid Sheikh Which part of the world. Anyway who cares, this has been done a few times in the past too.

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Apr 02, 2015 10:36pm

@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali 9 to 5 was Pakistani culture? WOW never knew that.

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Harish Bansal

Apr 02, 2015 10:47pm

I work in Punjab (Indian) power comm. and most of the time our units remain on standby because we have more installed capacity then demand. Indian Punjab alone can provide 3000 to 4000 MW of electricity to Pakistan. Pakistan just need to ask for help.

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woody

Apr 02, 2015 10:53pm

You don't have enough money to pay for the fuel to keep your current power plants running at full capacity - but you have enough money to buy $5 Billion in Chinese submarines and spend Billions on Chinese power plants? Go figure?

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Muhammed ali

Apr 02, 2015 10:57pm

Load shedding would be under control if these stupid shopkeeper's stop trying to fool people by putting 30 to 40 light's in their shop's... plus all that glitters is not gold.

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muhammed ahmed khan

Apr 02, 2015 11:21pm

Even its better to open the shop only in the day time to use the day light and save electricity. What a great outcome of our two-third majority winner PM??

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JET LEE

Apr 02, 2015 11:22pm

use LED bulbs.

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Suresh

Apr 03, 2015 12:14am

With massive chinese investiment coming in power generation, this will be history in some months as Chinese can build power plants quickly.

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Dekh Magar Pyaar Se

Apr 03, 2015 12:47am

Day light savings maybe a good idea as well

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jimmy Rocks

Apr 03, 2015 12:53am

Six hours in urban areas? Gosh, I can't imagine. Sad plight of this country. Really left behind. Just can't imagine.

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nasik

Apr 03, 2015 01:24am

He should make a good example and retire for the night at 9pm.

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Noor Hussain

Apr 03, 2015 01:26am

Early to bed early to rise is the best way.

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Mian

Apr 03, 2015 01:36am

@Harish Bansal but wont be reliable in rough tough times.

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vinay

Apr 03, 2015 02:01am

Early closure of shops will reduce revenue and increase poverty all across. The best solution is to reduce the defense budget for couple of years and increase the infrastructure and the power generation.

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Umer Khalid

Apr 03, 2015 02:58am

It's funny how all the Indians are using western names and talking bad about Pakistan. Have the guts to write your real name. Also, stop acting like India is a not third world country too.

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True

Apr 03, 2015 04:35am

@woody : there is no bread ? Go eat cake!!!!(:

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Jennysmall

Apr 03, 2015 05:17am

@shamain that's worked out so well in the past.

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Jennysmall

Apr 03, 2015 05:19am

@Irfan this is part of the solution. Shop timings from 11am to whenever is the worst use of the nation's resources

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Canada

Apr 03, 2015 06:34am

lol, PML solution to energy crisis. Make shops close early to lose revenue and employees lose salary. Problem solved, soon PK will have energy surplus and be net exporter! Thanks Nawaz for thinking outside the box!

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