Come 15th of May, employees in government offices in Islamabad, Pakistan will not be able to take comfort in air-conditioners as Pakistan government has banned the use of air-conditioners in government offices and institutions under a move to conserve energy. The government has also introduced a summer dress code for these employees so that they could negate the deprival of air conditioners.
Code includes white or light coloured shirts and trousers or shalwar-kameez with waistcoats. Government employees will be allowed to come to work in "shoes without laces" or "sandals without socks as a special concession.
Authorities were given seven days to implement the ban. Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso expressed hope that provincial governments, private institutions and the people would cooperate with his government’s efforts for energy conservation. He asked people to adopt energy conservation in their homes and workplaces too which would in turn minimise power cuts.
With rise in temperatures, power outages have increased across Pakistan. Capital Islamabad is facing load shedding up to eight hours while rural areas go without electricity for up to 18 hours a day.
Photograph by Nueva Ecija, Philippines
