The Ministry of Education has issued 11 special directives aimed at conserving electricity and energy to address the global crisis, while also announcing that all public and private universities in the country will be closed from Monday.
According to the academic calendar, all university activities are scheduled to resume after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
The Secondary and Higher Education Division, under the Ministry of Education, sent a formal letter regarding this matter to the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman SMA Faiz on Sunday.
The letter, titled “Regarding taking necessary measures to save electricity and energy,” states that in implementation of the Cabinet Division’s instructions and on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, all public and private universities must be informed that they will remain closed from 9 March until the date specified in their respective academic calendars for Eid-ul-Fitr.
Alongside the closure, the ministry has mandated 11 specific directives for immediate compliance to ensure energy efficiency.
Under these directives, the use of electric lights must be avoided during the day if there is sufficient natural light, and windows and doors should be kept open to utilise natural light.
Institutions are required to use only half of their existing lighting and must strictly avoid any excessive lighting.
All unnecessary lights, fans, air conditioners, and other electrical equipment must be switched off during office hours, and air conditioners must be maintained at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius or higher.
The government has also instructed that all electrical equipment, including lights, fans, and air conditioners, must be turned off when leaving an office room. Unnecessary lighting in office corridors, stairs, and washrooms must be discontinued, and the use of energy-efficient equipment is encouraged.
After office hours, all types of electrical equipment must be switched off completely. Additionally, the directives prohibit all forms of decorative lighting and require that the use of vehicles be limited to ensure fuel consumption remains economical.
