A daylight saving time schedule is to come into effect on June 2, 2008, when clocks would be put ahead one hour. The practice apes those of countries situated in tropical or temperate zones in the north or south of the tropics, where summer time daylight hours are extraordinary long. For them it makes sense, by saving energy and having longer working hours to boost production.
The position is not the same for countries in the sub-tropical zones - lying between the tropics either side of the Equator, like the sub-continent. In this region the divergence of daylight hours between seasons is not that great, so conditions are not similar to those in the northern climes (or the southern, below tropic of Capricorn), for that matter.
In the context of Pakistan some difference may be noted in northern areas like Islamabad, Peshawar, Azad Kashmir or the northern territories. But in Karachi and much of Sindh and Balochistan or southern Punjab such time differences (sunrise and sunset hours) will be minimal. The system was tried once before, but was abolished because of its futility. Why the experience is being repeated, is inexplicable, except like somebody wearing a woollen suit in summer, only because people in England do it!
If the purpose is to have more working (and productive) hours, there are other solutions. One is to have 5-day week, with longer daily working hours, and a 2-day weekend. This system also has some drawbacks, though not entirely without merit, but does not suit every institution.
A much better model (but with one big proviso) is the concept of FLEXI-HOURS practised in Sweden. There, workers have the option to split their working week (say 42 hours) according to their own convenience. They may choose to work 3 days of 14 hours each consecutively, or on alternate days, and take the rest of the days off. Other workers would fill in for the first groups "off days" and similarly take the rest of the week days off. Thus the institutions may theoretically work 7 days and nights a week, boosting their production immensely, while the workers have more leisure time for their families and rest. Or they may, if so desire, take another job on their 'off' days to supplement their income.
The system assures full employment, increased production, and a very happy and satisfied work force, to say nothing of quite pleased employers who have their offices, factories or establishments running 24/7. As said earlier, there is one big proviso. There are no shortages of electricity or power breakdowns, so work goes on uninterrupted round the clock.
Now to adopt this system in Pakistan, we have to ensure first an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) on a national scale 24/7, meeting the full requirements of the households and industry. Offices and institutions or factories that need to run 24 hours in shifts can use the system, by having the workforce on 'flexi-hours' by mutual understanding and individual convenience.
The resulting output and a well-satisfied and efficient workforce will be a pleasant surprise to every one concerned. It will take pressure off the workers and make their families happy. The employers will have the production of a 24 hours working force working all seven days a week (in flexi-shifts) and of course their production may cumulatively amount to 3 times their present output.
The extra production will mean better incomes all around. The system may also lead to reduced street crimes and a better security environment. Even shops and trading establishments can emulate the example and double or triple their sales.
In government offices, it will push out work-shirkers and bring in an enthusiastic workforce, actually performing, rather than merely file-pushing. Superiors will have to be on their toes, and managers happy to reap benefits of an unstinted and devoted work ethics.
One can imagine the net result of such a revolutionary change on the growth pattern of our GDP, and the complete obliteration of the extreme poverty now rampant. Medical aid and emergency services will be available round the clock, and not sporadic as of now. All this depends on one factor. Get the power supply going!