To manage the power crisis during Ramadan, Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has instructed that air conditioners in government offices, banks, homes, and mosques must not be set below 25°C.
A special monitoring team from the Power Division will oversee compliance, and legal action will be taken against violators, he told reporters after a session at the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Conference at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Monday.
Fouzul said discussions with DCs covered road repairs, electricity, energy, and railways.
He emphasized the country's financial constraints, adding: “We inherited an economy in a ditch. In 2021, reserves stood at $42 billion. We got $20 billion — the rest was laundered.”
He assured that maximum efforts would be made to prevent load shedding during Ramadan.
“Electricity is wasted in many sectors, and steps are being taken to curb this. An additional 2,000 megawatts will be required for irrigation. Also, lights and fans in mosques remain on after Tarawih prayers. Imams and muezzins will be advised to turn them off,” he added.
The adviser also said that efforts to conserve electricity would start from the Secretariat itself. “Electricity cannot be wasted by keeping fans and lights on unnecessarily. A dedicated team will monitor electricity usage throughout Ramadan. Legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the rules.”
