Marred by the energy crisis due to the increase in global oil prices, Pakistan aims to reduce the duration of load shedding from hours long to two hours by the end of this month.

“We are expecting the shortfall to be met further by the end of June and load shedding be reduced to near to two hours as per the explicit instructions of the PM,” Federal Minister Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad. She was accompanied by Adviser on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira, Communications Minister Asad Mahmood, and IT and Telecommunication Minister Syed Aminul Haque.

The ministers were briefing the media on the cabinet decisions and the energy ministry briefing on the ongoing crisis.

Cabinet decisions

• 28,400MW is the demand for electricity, 25,600MW is the available electricity, and 21,000MW is the supply
• From June 6 to 15, the load shedding will be reduced to less than four hours
• From June 16 to June 24, the load shedding will be reduced to three hours
• From June 25 to 29, the load shedding will be reduced to less than two hours
• And, after June 30 the duration of load shedding will be two hours
• 40 per cent reduction in petrol quota of cabinet members and civil servants
• 10% of the reduction in utility consumption
• Virtual meetings
• Saturday day-off for civil servants revived
• Work from home option on Friday
• Ban on the renovation of federal department offices
• Foreign trips banned
• Permission from the committee for special trips
• Purchase of government vehicles banned
• Purchase of furniture banned for offices

“Demand is an ever-increasing phenomenon,” Marriiyum said, adding that the government was taking decisions to provide relief to the public.

Kaira said that the prevailing situation demands tough decisions from the government.