The growth, prosperity and security of any country depend, to a large extent, on the adequacy, efficiency and functionality of its electricity industry. Electricity Crisis in Pakistan is one of the severe challenges the country is facing today. The root problem is Electricity generation which never took place proportionately with the rising demand. The energy crisis was not only the power shortfall per se but also the mismanagement and bad intent of PPP government. The government remained indifferent and was not serious about resolving the energy crisis.
Uninterrupted supply and reasonably priced electricity is vital for the industrial and economic growth of the country. Energy crisis has been destroying national economy but the then government did not bother to improve the energy supply. Energy theft was double during that regime but they remained blaming the previous government. Severe, forced and unscheduled load-shedding to the industries has halted their production resulting into delays in export shipment as well as to meet the domestic demand which usually increases with the beginning of summer season. Today people are losing patience and indulging in violent activities due to prolonged load-shedding.
The present Energy crises are hitting hard on industry. The PPP government could not share equitably even available gas and electricity between provinces. This was a killing move for small and medium industrial units in Punjab, employing hundreds of thousands of workers, who were rendered jobless. Unemployment rate is increasing rapidly because industry is not working due to worst energy crisis. Some foreign and local companies have already relocated outside Pakistan. Pakistani industrialists are losing out because of higher production cost as a result of the situation. People are storming the roads due to unscheduled and forced electricity load-shedding. According to estimates energy crisis has bitten off 3-4% annually of the GDP apart from increasing unemployment and making export targets unachievable. Energy shortages day in day out highlight chronic underinvestment in infrastructure, long-term planning sacrificed to short-term expediency, lack of leadership, cronyism and corruption.
The PPP government continued showering billions (Rs50 to Rs70 billion annually) in the BISP, ignoring the most vital challenge of load-shedding. It is a crisis of management, a crisis which has been born out of indecisiveness, born out of procrastination, not taking the decisions required at the right time. The circular debt was about Rs400 billion which could have cleared out of BISP funds ending the energy crisis. The rich of the country also remained busy in stealing the electricity and gas and passing burden to common man. The people are now condemning the PPP leadership for allowing the nation to be thrown into this catastrophe. The people punished the PPP candidates in election 2013 for snatching their livelihood because of energy crisis.
In the interest of justice and fair play and to avoid starvation of countless hapless souls, this load shedding must immediately be discontinued. The demand of electricity in the summer season is around 18,000MW but power companies are producing 13,000 to 14,000MW. However 6000 MW can be saved by banning the use of air conditioners alone at least on temporary basis. Permanent solution to the crisis lay in deregulation of the power sector. Further, very year about 10 per cent new electricity generation must be added to the main grid if Pakistan wants a GDP growth of 6 per cent.
The electricity shortage should be top priority of PML (N); blackouts have reached a peak – reportedly up to 16 hours a day in urban areas and as much as 22 hours a day in the countryside. It needs meticulous planning with quantifiable targets, ingenuity, and endeavor, backed by uncompromising determination,” towards ending the energy crisis facing the nation. For the electricity sector to be viable as well as meet the supply and demand needs of both the private, commercial and industrial sector of the economy, the government at all levels, policy and decision makers must take stringent measures to curtail the problem of inefficiency, constitute well experienced board, eliminate excess manpower, keep strict control over their purchasing and procurements, be able to innovate so as to reduce wastage to its lowest web. This will not only bolster the growth of the Pakistani economy but will also be a source of revenue for the government for its infrastructural development needs.
With rapidly growing population and energy demand rising by around 1,500 MW every year, a daunting battle lies ahead for incoming PML (N) government. However, where there is a will there is a way. Around 40,000 to 50,000MW hydroelectric power can be generated from the rivers and valleys of the mountainous north alone by installing small size power plants. Using Thar Coal reserves is another good option for energy generation. Nuclear power can also be installed with the help of China. There are a number of sites for water reservoirs and power generation, both on Indus and Jhelum rivers and off-channel, which need to be pursued vigorously. Also, there are small and medium storage sites in all provinces of Pakistan which also must be pursued. Bhasha dam should be the number one priority at the moment. Other dams can be built as long term strategy. The nation is confident that after taking over the new government will successfully address the problems and issues facing the country.
