Business | Opinion
Power crisis puts authorities in an unenviable position
Pakistan's new minister for water and power has an unenviable task. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, the minister responsible for tackling Pakistan's worsening electricity shortages, on Monday announced that Pakistan was facing a significant power shortage of at least 3,000 megawatts or almost 15 per cent of the demand.
- By Farhan Bokhari, Special to Gulf News
- Published: 23:38 April 8, 2008
Pakistan's new minister for water and power has an unenviable task. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, the minister responsible for tackling Pakistan's worsening electricity shortages, on Monday announced that Pakistan was facing a significant power shortage of at least 3,000 megawatts or almost 15 per cent of the demand.
Worse still, came the admission from the minister that his government will require at least three years to overcome the shortage. For now, Ashraf is eager to denounce the former regime for exacerbating the problem. "I take pain in saying that this is the opening balance given to us by the last government," Ashraf said.
And yet, the minister knows fully well that he cannot escape the inevitable fallout in the form of the public's displeasure that is bound to come, as conditions only deteriorate in the long and hot summer months. In one immediate step to deal with the continuing power shortages in the city of Karachi, which is Pakistan's largest commercial centre, the minister announced his decision to increase the supply of power to the Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC) from the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) - the main power provider across the country. However, the way in which this will be achieved without creating shortages elsewhere remains unclear.
There are two immediate dangers from the way the government is handling the challenge. On one hand, it is conceivable that in diverting power supply to the big cities, the government may choose to accept longer periods of electricity cuts in the rural areas. Consequently, Pakistan's vital agricultural sector and farm income will undoubtedly suffer. Ultimately, a key element in the economic structure will lose momentum.
On the other hand, Ashraf has also spoken out about the steps to be taken for conserving electricity. The minister has ruled out the possibility of the government forcing conservation measures such as imposing shorter durations for commercial markets, to save electricity.
Short-sighted approach
This is unfortunately a short-sighted approach. The new government has to adopt all possible measures to improve the supply and curtail the demand for electricity. Forcing commercial markets to conserve electricity should be has an important element in the overall power management strategy.
There is immense evidence of wastage of electricity in commercial areas. During the scorching and long summer months, an increasing number of shops in commercial districts routinely turn on their air-conditioners from early in the day, irrespective of whether there are customers or not. Such wastage when Pakistan is coping with increased power cuts is nothing short of criminal behaviour.
Some officials have taken the view that enforcing power cuts in commercial districts should also come with the provision of allowing shops and commercial organisations to run their functions with the use of power generators. This strategy has little to offer by way of comfort. Fuel used in generators also comes from oil imported into Pakistan at a time when international oil prices remain high.
It is true that Ashraf does not face any easy prospects. But equally true is the need for profoundly difficult conservation measures including some that are bound to be unpopular. However, faced with one of the toughest challenges in Pakistan's history, taking such measures is vital for the country's well-being.
The government which has been elected to office on the back of a large public mandate must demonstrate that it has the ability to take on difficult measures. Leaving the problem even partially unattended will only worsen its position during this difficult phase in history.
The writer is a journalist basedin Pakistan.
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