The Pakistan Information and Broadcasting Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb spoke about the country's trade policy with its neighbor India.

Pakistan Minister: Previous government responsible for economic fallout

Pakistan will reduce its official work week to five days from six in a bid to reduce energy and fuel consumption as part of an energy conservation plan approved by the country's cabinet on Tuesday, the information minister said. 
 
The move comes as hours-long power outages hit the South Asian country, with demand outstripping generation during the peak summer months. Soaring global fuel prices have also increased pressure on the external account and the local currency has hit record lows against the dollar.

Also read <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-launches-fresh-salvo-against-military-establishment-485911">|&nbsp;Imran Khan launches fresh salvo against military establishment</a> 
 
"We are facing a severe crisis. We desperately need to take energy conservation measures. We need to tap on every option to save on energy," Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said at a press conference. 
 
After taking office in April, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had increased the working week to six days from five, with only Sunday as a day off, saying he wanted to increase productivity. However, the enhanced work week resulted in greater electricity and fuel consumption by government offices and employees.

Watch |&nbsp;Heatwave hits Pakistan's Mango output as it is set to fall by 50%&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/heatwave-hits-pakistans-mango-output-as-it-is-set-to-fall-by-50-485820/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">A 40 per cent&nbsp;cut in the official fuel allowance given to ministers and government officials was also approved as part of the new conservation plan, Aurangzeb said. 
 
The cabinet has also set up a committee to devise a plan for working from home on Fridays for all government and semi-government offices, and early closure of commercial markets. 
 
Pakistan has experienced hours-long power cuts over the last month, with urban centres seeing four- to six-hour outages a day and rural areas over eight hours, as temperatures across the country soar - to 50 degrees Centigrade in some areas.</div>

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-politician-ready-for-suicide-attacks-imran-khans-aide-threatens-shehbaz-sharif-485876">Pakistani politician ready for 'suicide attacks': Imran Khan’s aide threatens Shehbaz Sharif</a>&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Aurangzeb said there was currently a gap of 4,600 megawatts between supply and demand, with supply at 21,000 megawatts and demand at 25,600 megawatts.&nbsp; 
 
The Sharif government has blamed the situation on the mismanagement of the power sector by the previous administration of ousted prime minister, Imran Khan. Khan and his aides have denied any blame.&nbsp; 
 
In the face of soaring energy prices, Pakistan is facing a balance of payment crisis with forex reserves falling below dollar 10 billion, enough for around 45 days of imports, as well as double-digit inflation.&nbsp;</div>

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Pakistan will reduce its official work week to five days from six in a bid to reduce energy and fuel consumption as part of an energy conservation plan approved by the country's cabinet on Tuesday, the information minister said.

Pakistan will reduce its official work week to five days from six in a bid to reduce energy and fuel consumption as part of an energy conservation plan approved by the country's cabinet on Tuesday, the information minister said. The move comes as hours-long power outages hit the South Asian country, with demand outstripping generation during the peak summer months. Soaring global fuel prices have also increased pressure on the external account and the local currency has hit record lows against the dollar. Also read | Imran Khan launches fresh salvo against military establishment "We are facing a severe crisis. We desperately need to take energy conservation measures. We need to tap on every option to save on energy," Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said at a press conference. After taking office in April, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had increased the working week to six days from five, with only Sunday as a day off, saying he wanted to increase productivity. However, the enhanced work week resulted in greater electricity and fuel consumption by government offices and employees. Watch | Heatwave hits Pakistan's Mango output as it is set to fall by 50% A 40 per cent cut in the official fuel allowance given to ministers and government officials was also approved as part of the new conservation plan, Aurangzeb said. The cabinet has also set up a committee to devise a plan for working from home on Fridays for all government and semi-government offices, and early closure of commercial markets. Pakistan has experienced hours-long power cuts over the last month, with urban centres seeing four- to six-hour outages a day and rural areas over eight hours, as temperatures across the country soar - to 50 degrees Centigrade in some areas. Also read | Pakistani politician ready for 'suicide attacks': Imran Khan’s aide threatens Shehbaz Sharif Aurangzeb said there was currently a gap of 4,600 megawatts between supply and demand, with supply at 21,000 megawatts and demand at 25,600 megawatts. The Sharif government has blamed the situation on the mismanagement of the power sector by the previous administration of ousted prime minister, Imran Khan. Khan and his aides have denied any blame. In the face of soaring energy prices, Pakistan is facing a balance of payment crisis with forex reserves falling below dollar 10 billion, enough for around 45 days of imports, as well as double-digit inflation. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Facing 'severe' energy crisis, Pakistan reverts to five-day work week

A senior Pakistani judge was sacked on Friday following a scandal over blackmail claims relating to the jailing of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on corruption charges, the law ministry said.

The removal of accountability court judge Arshad Malik prompted immediate calls by Sharif's PML-N party for the release of the 69-year-old former premier, who is serving a seven-year jail sentence.

"The decision against Nawaz Sharif should be dismissed and he should be released immediately," party spokeswoman Marriyum Aurangzeb said, adding that Sharif's conviction should be considered "void".

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-court-allows-nawaz-sharifs-personal-physician-to-visit-him-in-jail-234746&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiyoIbeqq_jAhVFZt4KHYzfCBAQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1HWKrSvXRMzLEbkT5athba">Sharif</a> was convicted and jailed last year after failing to prove the source of income that had led to his ownership of a steel mill in Saudi Arabia. Under Pakistani law, this is taken to prove corruption.

The PML-N has disputed the conviction and last week party leaders presented a video apparently showing Malik saying he had been pressured into ruling in favour of conviction by individuals with compromising footage against him.

Malik later issued a statement denying he had been blackmailed to convict Sharif and said the video had been manipulated. He also declared in an affidavit he had been offered bribes followed by blackmail threats by figures close to Sharif to rule in favour of the former premier.

After days of growing pressure, Islamabad High Court asked the law ministry to remove him from his position.

"Judge Arshad Malik was asked to stop working based on the alleged video and the press release," Law Minister Farogh Naseem told a news conference.

The scandal adds to an already heated political climate in Pakistan where Prime Minister Imran Khan's government, which came to power last year vowing to root out corruption, has been facing increasing economic difficulties.

Earlier this month it agreed to a $6 billion bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund, which has demanded a tough package of austerity measures.

As the problems have mounted, opposition parties have stepped up attacks, accusing the government and its allies in the powerful military establishment of crushing dissent and orchestrating Sharif's removal from power and conviction.

A senior Pakistani judge was sacked on Friday following a scandal over blackmail claims relating to the jailing of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on corruption charges, the law ministry said.

A senior Pakistani judge was sacked on Friday following a scandal over blackmail claims relating to the jailing of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on corruption charges, the law ministry said. The removal of accountability court judge Arshad Malik prompted immediate calls by Sharif's PML-N party for the release of the 69-year-old former premier, who is serving a seven-year jail sentence. "The decision against Nawaz Sharif should be dismissed and he should be released immediately," party spokeswoman Marriyum Aurangzeb said, adding that Sharif's conviction should be considered "void". Sharif was convicted and jailed last year after failing to prove the source of income that had led to his ownership of a steel mill in Saudi Arabia. Under Pakistani law, this is taken to prove corruption. The PML-N has disputed the conviction and last week party leaders presented a video apparently showing Malik saying he had been pressured into ruling in favour of conviction by individuals with compromising footage against him. Malik later issued a statement denying he had been blackmailed to convict Sharif and said the video had been manipulated. He also declared in an affidavit he had been offered bribes followed by blackmail threats by figures close to Sharif to rule in favour of the former premier. After days of growing pressure, Islamabad High Court asked the law ministry to remove him from his position. "Judge Arshad Malik was asked to stop working based on the alleged video and the press release," Law Minister Farogh Naseem told a news conference. The scandal adds to an already heated political climate in Pakistan where Prime Minister Imran Khan's government, which came to power last year vowing to root out corruption, has been facing increasing economic difficulties. Earlier this month it agreed to a $6 billion bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund, which has demanded a tough package of austerity measures. As the problems have mounted, opposition parties have stepped up attacks, accusing the government and its allies in the powerful military establishment of crushing dissent and orchestrating Sharif's removal from power and conviction.

Pakistani judge who jailed Nawaz Sharif sacked over blackmail claims

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday criticised the Imran Khan government for not allowing the family of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to meet him in jail even on the third day of Eid.

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said in a statement that by adopting such tactics Prime Minister Khan was "taking revenge for his (PM's) incompetence and ineptness", the Express Tribune reported.

She said that while Khan fully enjoyed the Eid celebrations, he did not allow the former premier, who has been incarcerated in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail since December last year, to meet his family even on Eid`s last day.

Meanwhile, Punjab government spokesperson Shahbaz Gill said that the PML-N had been left with no issue other than Sharif`s health.

He was quoted as saying that "Mian Sahib is quite healthy and living a normal life in jail".

He claimed that Sharif was denied a meeting with his family due to the terms of his prison sentence.

He said Sharif had met his family and over 225 party leaders and workers before Eid, while the family could meet him again on Saturday (today) as per jail authorities.

Referring to the former prime minister's routine of spending the last days of Ramazan and Eid in Saudi Arabia, Gill added that this was the first time when 'Mian Sahab'&nbsp;spent the Eid days in Pakistan only because he is imprisoned.

The three-time former Pakistani Prime Minister was sentenced to seven years in Lahore prison by an accountability court last year after he was found guilty in the Al Azizia Steel Mills corruption case.

The ailing Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader was granted bail on medical grounds by the Pakistani Supreme Court on March 26 for six weeks.

But the ousted leader returned to jail last month after the six-week bail expired on May 7 as the Supreme Court rejected his review petition seeking an extension to the bail.&nbsp;

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday criticised the Imran Khan government for not allowing the family of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to meet him in jail even on the third day of Eid.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Friday criticised the Imran Khan government for not allowing the family of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to meet him in jail even on the third day of Eid. PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said in a statement that by adopting such tactics Prime Minister Khan was "taking revenge for his (PM's) incompetence and ineptness", the Express Tribune reported. She said that while Khan fully enjoyed the Eid celebrations, he did not allow the former premier, who has been incarcerated in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail since December last year, to meet his family even on Eid`s last day. Meanwhile, Punjab government spokesperson Shahbaz Gill said that the PML-N had been left with no issue other than Sharif`s health. He was quoted as saying that "Mian Sahib is quite healthy and living a normal life in jail". He claimed that Sharif was denied a meeting with his family due to the terms of his prison sentence. He said Sharif had met his family and over 225 party leaders and workers before Eid, while the family could meet him again on Saturday (today) as per jail authorities. Referring to the former prime minister's routine of spending the last days of Ramazan and Eid in Saudi Arabia, Gill added that this was the first time when 'Mian Sahab' spent the Eid days in Pakistan only because he is imprisoned. The three-time former Pakistani Prime Minister was sentenced to seven years in Lahore prison by an accountability court last year after he was found guilty in the Al Azizia Steel Mills corruption case. The ailing Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader was granted bail on medical grounds by the Pakistani Supreme Court on March 26 for six weeks. But the ousted leader returned to jail last month after the six-week bail expired on May 7 as the Supreme Court rejected his review petition seeking an extension to the bail.

Nawaz Sharif not allowed to meet family even on Eid

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb claimed that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-begging-for-funds-worldwide-sindh-cm-188736">Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> is the real owner of his sister Aleema Khan`s illegal property.

Addressing the media on Sunday, Aurangzeb inquired why Aleema's assets and money laundering allegations levelled against her were not being investigated.

Furthermore, the PML-N leader took a dig at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and said the bureau should rename itself to 'Noon Accountability Bureau', according to Dunya News.

On December 25, the Prime Minister had taken a potshot at the Pakistan People`s Party (PPP) and PML-N, saying that the Joint Investigation Teams' (JIT) reports on Panama Papers and fake accounts cases were "case studies in how states fail."

Chiding the supporters of PPP and PML-N and accusing them of supporting those who 'plundered' public money, the cricketer-turned-politician further said: "I am puzzled and perplexed by those who, despite having read the two reports, are still defending the plunderers."

Addressing the media on Sunday, Marriyum Aurangzeb inquired why Aleema's assets and money laundering allegations levelled against her were not being investigated.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb claimed that Prime Minister Imran Khan is the real owner of his sister Aleema Khan`s illegal property. Addressing the media on Sunday, Aurangzeb inquired why Aleema's assets and money laundering allegations levelled against her were not being investigated. Furthermore, the PML-N leader took a dig at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and said the bureau should rename itself to 'Noon Accountability Bureau', according to Dunya News. On December 25, the Prime Minister had taken a potshot at the Pakistan People`s Party (PPP) and PML-N, saying that the Joint Investigation Teams' (JIT) reports on Panama Papers and fake accounts cases were "case studies in how states fail." Chiding the supporters of PPP and PML-N and accusing them of supporting those who 'plundered' public money, the cricketer-turned-politician further said: "I am puzzled and perplexed by those who, despite having read the two reports, are still defending the plunderers."

Imran Khan the real owner of sister's illegal property: PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb