The lights at Mazar-e-Quaid were switched off at 8:30 pm sharp on Saturday but not because of a power outage, instead it was in commemoration of ‘Earth Hour 2012’.
Being celebrated in the country for third time in a row, the worldwide event was organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Sindh government. Supporters of the environment willingly joined the closure of extra lights and appliances in the city for an hour.
“Last year, we managed to save 50 to 52 megawatts of energy in the city,” said the Environment Minister Sheikh Muhammad Afzal, while lighting a white candle. Karachi has been given the title of ‘Earth Hour City’ while Sindh has been declared as the ‘Earth Hour Province’. “By celebrating Earth Hour, we are expressing solidarity with rest of the world against the destruction of global warming and effects of climate change.” Afzal said that Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana were also participating in the event.
The participants, most of whom were from corporate companies, government departments and the WWF, cheered before the clock struck 8:30, lit candles, and sang national songs.
Although Asif Ali Sandeelo, the WWF Indus for All Programme’s communication officer, said that 1,000 people were expected to turn up, around 150 attended the event at Mazar-e-Quaid.
The event is being celebrated in 135 countries with the participation of one billion people, said Sandeelo. Almost 52 landmarks which would switch off their extra lights during the hour were announced, including the Governor House, Sindh secretariat, provincial assembly, Karachi University, NED University, MCB tower, National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank Plaza, Park Towers and Dolmen Mall in Clifton.
A cement company’s employee, Rashid Khan, participated in the event with his peers. “We are raising awareness among people to switch off extra lights so that the country can deal with its energy crisis.”
A 12-year-old Hafsa Mehmood also came to show her support for the environment with her family. “I think it is important for everyone to turn off lights which are not in use. We need to save our planet.”
The Dawood Group chairperson, Hussain Dawood, said that everyone has a responsibility to work together for the survival of the planet. Brand ambassador of Earth Hour and acclaimed TV actor, Faisal Qureshi, also participated in the event. “People ask why there is a need to turn off the light when there are power outages everyday but I ask them why not. By doing so, we are fulfilling our duty towards our country and this planet.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st, 2012.
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I wonder why it was not endorsed by Government. It should have been on positive perspective. This would have rung some good signs for Pakistan. We should participate in such international events much often. Not only awareness within country is pinned but you will observe international media get talking about it.
It is one of a way India is getting better by capturing international mindsets.
@Saad Durrani: ET is not approving comments of evidence. Just research Carbon tax and Chicago Climate Exchange.
Next year the event should be convened at 12.30 am so as to enable maximum participation.
There are no light for ten to thirteen hours in karachi what are they doing cat in the well ... karachi or pakistan need honest man who can save our lives country go to hell.
I observed the hour at my home, switched off all the lights and electronic gadgets/appliances. I am sorry to say but people have such a negative approach, its like "everyone is committing a sin, why shouldn't I" yes we do have load shedding but that doesn't stop you from doing something purposeful. Anyway every one has right to do what they feel like..
Seriously??
Earth hour ...... Pakistan ??......
Seriously ??
Knowing our situation which is quite different from the world It could have been ideal if WAPDA/KESC had supplied ONE full hour of electricity at the same time across Pakistan. I am sure the rest of the world must be happy for this achievement ;)
yep celebrating it everyday thrice a day :D
we celebrate 12 earth hours out of 24 hours in Sheikhupura
The whole world should turn off their lights just so that we can switch on lights in Pakistan for 24 hours at least.
ya right.....Karachi turn off its lights?? is it a sarcastic remark? or maybe editor is living in US. We need light in the first place to turn it off.
Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.The Pakistani nation,industries and key departments are already celebrating daily earth hour up to 12 hours and the earth hour has to be celebrated there where there is no any electricity load shedding and only Pakistani leaders can celebrate earth hour because only Pakistani leaders' offices and residences are exempted from electricity load shedding.
One more thing, can someone calculate the carbon foot print of the candles that were burned during the said "earth hour" festivities
And I hope they made it a point to responsibly dispose of their garbage before leaving
In another news, people burned tires, torched x number of houses, buses and cars to protest in wake of increased load shedding.
Btw who gave Karachi and Sindh titles of Earth Hour city and provinces and what does it even mean?
In Pakistan it all vanity no substance.
after Every three hours we are celebrating EARTH HOUR for two HOURS in KARACHI
How Dedicated we are towards earth
HATS OFF TOO A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT
Global Warming fallacy somehow caused by human activity, and the answer to that is carbon tax, plus cap and trade according to the wishes of Al Gore, Prince Charles, and basically the entire world banking community, the world oligarchy. What they're trying to do with that is perpetuate the current system where bankers rule the world, financiers rule the world, and the rest of get the crumbs from the table.
But remember, if you try to put on cap and trade, and a global carbon tax, with the idea that you're going to save the polar bears, what you're going to do is destroy human society. You're going to cause genocide on a massive scale. The deaths will be measured in the hundreds of millions and indeed, in the billions. Just the idea of global warming means there will be no development for Africa, no development for the poorer parts of South East Asia, and no world economic recovery, of any kind ever in our entire lifetime.
Good to see carbon tax serfs are celebrating coming of carbon taxes.
lol we have been celebrating earth hour every 2 hours here in lahore