In a bid to conserve energy, the cash-strapped Pakistan government has decided to ban wedding functions in Islamabad city after 10 pm and shut markets across the country at 8.30 pm, according to media reports on Wednesday.

Pakistan, which is facing a worsening power crisis, has taken various steps to bring down the consumption of electricity to reduce load shedding, will now ban wedding functions after 10 pm in Islamabad with effect from June 8, Geo News reported.

The current power crisis in the country, which has also affected Pakistan's economy, has forced the National Economic Council (NEC) to order the closure of markets across the country at 8.30 pm (local time).

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The Wednesday decision, taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by the chief ministers of all provinces, except for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM, was taken in order to deal with the energy crisis.

A statement issued to this effect added that chief ministers of Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan have sought two days' time to hold consultations with the traders' association, but agreed to the move.

Power Minister Khurrum Dastagir in an address to the press said the early closure of markets and work-from-home arrangements could save electricity.

"The electricity being produced in the country is 22,000 MW and the requirement is 26,000 MW,"&nbsp;said the minister, adding that there was about 4,000MW energy shortfall in the country.

The federal cabinet has also restored the Saturday holiday in government offices to curb the use of energy and gradually bring down electricity load shedding to two hours a day by the end of June.

The Daily Times newspaper quoting sources, reported that the restriction on wedding functions in the country's capital is being implemented on the instructions of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan: Govt announces cost-cutting measures, launches austerity drive

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The Islamabad Police and city administration have been directed to strictly implement the ban, the sources said.

The sources said that in case of violation, strict action will be taken by Islamabad administration.

Geo News also reported that only one dish will be allowed at the wedding functions in the capital.

A notification to this effect will be issued soon, it said.

With the economy in tatters and political instability looming large due to protests by former prime minister Imran Khan, there is increasing threat of Pakistan going the Sri Lankan way if quick measures are not taken.

Prime Minister Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan did not have enough money to buy oil and gas, ARY News reported.

Long queues were witnessed outside fuelling stations in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Islamabad as panic stricken citizens, following Finance Minister Miftah Ismail's remarks about a possible hike, queued up at petrol pumps while several filling stations shut down, forcing the finance minister to issue a clarification saying the government was not planning to further increase fuel prices.

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While addressing a day-long pre-budget business conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Sharif said there could be no economic stability without political stability in the country, adding that there was the need for a "Charter of Economy,"&nbsp;which would lead to long-term stability.

Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves are under severe stress and declined by USD 190 million to USD 10.308 billion during the week ended on May 6, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

Pakistan is looking towards the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restore a USD 6 billion package agreed in 2019. So far half of the promised money had been given. Pakistan would immediately get a USD 1 billion loan tranche from the IMF once the two sides sort out their differences, according to media reports.

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In a bid to conserve energy, the cash-strapped Pakistan government has decided to ban wedding functions in Islamabad city after 10 pm and shut markets across the country at 8.

In a bid to conserve energy, the cash-strapped Pakistan government has decided to ban wedding functions in Islamabad city after 10 pm and shut markets across the country at 8.30 pm, according to media reports on Wednesday. Pakistan, which is facing a worsening power crisis, has taken various steps to bring down the consumption of electricity to reduce load shedding, will now ban wedding functions after 10 pm in Islamabad with effect from June 8, Geo News reported. The current power crisis in the country, which has also affected Pakistan's economy, has forced the National Economic Council (NEC) to order the closure of markets across the country at 8.30 pm (local time). Also read | Pakistani rupee nosedives to all-time low of 202.83 against US dollar The Wednesday decision, taken during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by the chief ministers of all provinces, except for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM, was taken in order to deal with the energy crisis. A statement issued to this effect added that chief ministers of Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan have sought two days' time to hold consultations with the traders' association, but agreed to the move. Power Minister Khurrum Dastagir in an address to the press said the early closure of markets and work-from-home arrangements could save electricity. "The electricity being produced in the country is 22,000 MW and the requirement is 26,000 MW," said the minister, adding that there was about 4,000MW energy shortfall in the country. The federal cabinet has also restored the Saturday holiday in government offices to curb the use of energy and gradually bring down electricity load shedding to two hours a day by the end of June. The Daily Times newspaper quoting sources, reported that the restriction on wedding functions in the country's capital is being implemented on the instructions of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Watch | Pakistan: Govt announces cost-cutting measures, launches austerity drive The Islamabad Police and city administration have been directed to strictly implement the ban, the sources said. The sources said that in case of violation, strict action will be taken by Islamabad administration. Geo News also reported that only one dish will be allowed at the wedding functions in the capital. A notification to this effect will be issued soon, it said. With the economy in tatters and political instability looming large due to protests by former prime minister Imran Khan, there is increasing threat of Pakistan going the Sri Lankan way if quick measures are not taken. Prime Minister Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan did not have enough money to buy oil and gas, ARY News reported. Long queues were witnessed outside fuelling stations in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Islamabad as panic stricken citizens, following Finance Minister Miftah Ismail's remarks about a possible hike, queued up at petrol pumps while several filling stations shut down, forcing the finance minister to issue a clarification saying the government was not planning to further increase fuel prices. Also read | Right to inheritance and property 'far cry' for women in Pakistan While addressing a day-long pre-budget business conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Sharif said there could be no economic stability without political stability in the country, adding that there was the need for a "Charter of Economy," which would lead to long-term stability. Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves are under severe stress and declined by USD 190 million to USD 10.308 billion during the week ended on May 6, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Pakistan is looking towards the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restore a USD 6 billion package agreed in 2019. So far half of the promised money had been given. Pakistan would immediately get a USD 1 billion loan tranche from the IMF once the two sides sort out their differences, according to media reports. 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.

Wedding ceremonies banned in Islamabad after 10 pm to conserve electricity

African National Congress National Executive Committee has concluded that the suspended secretary feneral of the party, Ace Magashule, must publicly apologise for his 'letter of suspension' to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. &nbsp;

In his closing address following the weekend’s NEC meeting, Ramaphosa said the body discussed the ‘letter of suspension’ written by the secretary general to the president, for which the secretary general had no authority or mandate from any structure of the movement.&nbsp;

“The NEC agreed that such conduct was completely unacceptable and a flagrant violation of the rules, norms and values of the ANC. The NEC, furthermore, instructed the officials to advise the Secretary General to apologise publicly to ANC structures and members within a set timeframe,” Ramaphosa said.&nbsp;

“If he fails to do so, the ANC will institute disciplinary procedures in accordance with the ANC Constitution,” he added. &nbsp;

Ramaphosa said the NEC confirmed that in the light of the temporary suspension of the secretary general, Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte will, in accordance with the ANC Constitution, “carry out the functions entrusted to the SG by the National Conference, the National General Council, the NEC or the NWC…”&nbsp;

Ramaphosa said NEC has also condemned the unwarranted attacks on the Deputy Secretary General and ANC staff members at Luthuli House for carrying out decisions of the NEC, NWC and Officials.&nbsp;

“These attacks have taken the form of threats, insults, unfounded allegations and misinformation,” he said. &nbsp;

The NEC reaffirms its full confidence in the Deputy Secretary General, and supports her in carrying out her duties as per the ANC Constitution, Ramaphosa added. &nbsp;

NEC also expressed concern about a concerted and well-resourced campaign to sow division and confusion in the ANC, with the ultimate aim to destroy the movement as an instrument for progressive transformation and change, the Party President said. &nbsp;

“It (NEC) noted that this campaign is actively aided by a few individuals from within the NEC, through leaks, deviant public pronouncements, protests and misinformation on social media,” he said. &nbsp;

The ANC NEC agreed to take urgent steps to investigate the leaks from the NEC and any organised campaign to subvert the movement and to take appropriate action. &nbsp;

African National Congress National Executive Committee has concluded that the suspended secretary feneral of the party, Ace Magashule, must publicly apologise for his 'letter of suspension' to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

African National Congress National Executive Committee has concluded that the suspended secretary feneral of the party, Ace Magashule, must publicly apologise for his 'letter of suspension' to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. In his closing address following the weekend’s NEC meeting, Ramaphosa said the body discussed the ‘letter of suspension’ written by the secretary general to the president, for which the secretary general had no authority or mandate from any structure of the movement. “The NEC agreed that such conduct was completely unacceptable and a flagrant violation of the rules, norms and values of the ANC. The NEC, furthermore, instructed the officials to advise the Secretary General to apologise publicly to ANC structures and members within a set timeframe,” Ramaphosa said. “If he fails to do so, the ANC will institute disciplinary procedures in accordance with the ANC Constitution,” he added. Ramaphosa said the NEC confirmed that in the light of the temporary suspension of the secretary general, Deputy Secretary General Jessie Duarte will, in accordance with the ANC Constitution, “carry out the functions entrusted to the SG by the National Conference, the National General Council, the NEC or the NWC…” Ramaphosa said NEC has also condemned the unwarranted attacks on the Deputy Secretary General and ANC staff members at Luthuli House for carrying out decisions of the NEC, NWC and Officials. “These attacks have taken the form of threats, insults, unfounded allegations and misinformation,” he said. The NEC reaffirms its full confidence in the Deputy Secretary General, and supports her in carrying out her duties as per the ANC Constitution, Ramaphosa added. NEC also expressed concern about a concerted and well-resourced campaign to sow division and confusion in the ANC, with the ultimate aim to destroy the movement as an instrument for progressive transformation and change, the Party President said. “It (NEC) noted that this campaign is actively aided by a few individuals from within the NEC, through leaks, deviant public pronouncements, protests and misinformation on social media,” he said. The ANC NEC agreed to take urgent steps to investigate the leaks from the NEC and any organised campaign to subvert the movement and to take appropriate action.

African National Congress executive body tells Magashule to apologise for 'suspension' of President Ramaphosa 

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Wedding ceremonies banned in Islamabad after 10 pm to conserve electricity

African National Congress executive body tells Magashule to apologise for 'suspension' of President Ramaphosa