Energy saving: We don’t like a two-day weekend, but endorse it, says Marri

Marri says government is making an effort to produce electricity and has generated around 3,500MW in four years.

KARACHI:

Sindh was not in favour of a two-day weekend but endorses it given the energy crises, said Sindh Information Minister Shazia Atta Marri on Tuesday at a press conference at her residence.

The government would consult the business community over closing markets to save energy, she assured, referring to the government decision taken at an energy conference in Lahore.

“We don’t want to trigger violence in Sindh like in Punjab and have always expressed tolerance by accepting genuine demands of different stakeholders,” she added. “We had no choice but to accept the decision of the energy conference because sometime one has to accept it with mutual understanding.”

Referring to load-shedding in Faisalabad, she said that industry in Sindh, especially in Karachi, was crippled by the situation. “Despite the fact Sindh produces 72% of the country’s gas the hide and seek of electricity has reached 17 hours,” she said.

The government was not considering daylight savings.

Marri said that the government was making an effort to produce electricity and has generated around 3,500MW in four years. But still there is 7,000MW shortage. Sindh opposed the Punjab government’s demand to end a 650MW quota Wapda gives KESC.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2012.