The Federal Government is considering collecting double toll tax on motorways by single-driver cars in order to mitigate the energy crisis in the country. According to the details, the suggestion comes from a committee constituted by the Prime Minister to devise an energy conservation plan.
Pakistan is facing an energy crisis, which has led to severe load shedding throughout the country in recent months. The fuel and energy crisis, which is partly the result of worsening economy and depreciation of the country’s local currency and foreign exchange reserves has led the government to devise some out of the box ideas to conserve energy and pull the country out of this energy crisis.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a cabinet meeting to discuss some great ideas in order to devise an energy conservation plan. The premier has also constituted a committee in this regard, which consists of Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail, Minister for Energy Khurram Dastagir, Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and Minister for Media and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb.
The committee has presented some great ideas to conserve energy, which includes doubling toll tax on motorways for single-driver cars only, lowering the speed limit on motorways and highways so that vehicles start consuming less fuel, and best of all, the government is considering declaring Sunday as a vehicle-free day in major cities.
Moreover, the committee has also recommended reducing the petrol and diesel quota for government officials by 33% and several provincial governments have already issued a notification in this regard as well. However, operational vehicles like ambulances, police mobiles and other emergency services will be exempted from this reduction.
Some other suggestions put forward by the committee include making mandatory biannual tuning and inspection of motor vehicles to make sure vehicles are in shape and consume less petrol and diesel. Another great idea presented by the committee includes allowing vehicles on roads on alternate days based on even and odd registration numbers, which means cars even numbers would be allowed on roads for only three days a week and cars with odd numbers will also be allowed for only three days a week with Sunday being declared a vehicle free day in major cities as mentioned above.
Furthermore, the committee also recommended switching off street lights at night, which will help conserve energy as well. Moreover, the recommendation was put forth to close commercial markets and marriage halls early. However, cafe’s, restaurants and pharmacies will be exempted from the decision. The committee also suggested introducing a work from home policy for government officials for one day week.
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