Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Tuesday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif endorsed the statement of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, adding that Bilawal Bhutto expressed the sentiments of the entire nation, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

He was addressing a press conference in Islamabad along with Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Qamar Zaman Kaira and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Khawaja Asif said that the entire nation paid tribute to Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, adding that any kind of malpractice and dishonesty had been stopped in Toshakhana.

He announced that the government had decided to close markets and restaurants at 8pm, stating that the ban on closing the marriage hall at 10pm would be strictly implemented.

He also said that the government had decided to take various steps to save energy. “We should utilise solar energy. Markets are opened late during the day and remain opened till 12:30am and 1am at night,” he pointed out.

“A policy regarding austerity measures is also being formulated, and it will be completed by Thursday night,” he declared.

“A detailed statement on the issue of Bannu will come soon. The internal situation of Afghanistan is affecting Pakistan,” the defence minister said.

“The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not fulfilling its responsibilities. An operation can be carried out to control terrorism. Pakistan Army’s assistance may also be sought for the operation,” he added.

On the occasion, Qamar Zaman Kaira said that they were proud of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto.

“Bilawal Bhutto placed Pakistan’s stance on terrorism before the world. The prime minister and the cabinet endorsed the statement of Bilawal Bhutto,” he added.

It is to be noted here that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto had dubbed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “the butcher of Gujrat”.

Govt decides to shut markets, restaurants at 8pm

Earlier, the federal cabinet decided to shut down markets and restaurants at 8:00 pm in order to save energy.

The cabinet could not agree on an energy plan based on a raft of austerity measures by laying focus on powering government buildings with solar energy.

The cabinet which met in Islamabad under the chair of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also decided to run a public awareness campaign for the effective implementation of the energy plan.

Through this plan, the government also aimed to save more than Rs260 billion in the import bill, the cabinet meeting was briefed.

The meeting also gave green signal to the plan to shift the government buildings to solar power while stressing on more and more use of the solar energy.

The cabinet also approved a coordination plan for the implementation of the government’s energy plan.