Pakistan has launched a national energy policy to tackle the country’s massive energy crisis.

The government will extend the official weekend from one to two days, close street markets as well as reducing power by 50% to government offices, reports the BBC.

Pakistan will also reduce supply to Karachi, its main port and industrial capital, by 300MW a day.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told the BBC that the government will pay PKR116bn ($1.38bn) to the power sector to pay debt owed to various power producers.

The country also intends to introduce government units and 13 independent power producers as part of the plan.

The measures are expected to save 1,500MW a day.