No loadshedding in Pakistan

Incensed by prolonged loadshedding, the people are not happy with their leaders. The bitter truth is better than a string of lies that build false hopes among the masses.

Additionally such lies only reduce credibility of the government and further disappoint people when come from sitting ministers and representatives of the government.

In the latest move, Federal Minister for Water and Power Naveed Qamar informed parliament that the issue of loadshedding had ended in the country. The ministers’ statement received a mix of delight and bewilderment.

The power outages did appear to reduce for a few days, however, it did not last for long. There have been protests demonstrations in many parts of the country over power outrages lasting for 10 hours in urban areas while 18 hours or more in the rural areas.

Without playing with words, the Managing Director of PEPCO, Kamran Rasool, informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Water and Power that there were no hopes of an end to loadshedding in the near future.

At the same time, he expressed astonishment how Naveed Qamar had made the statement about end of power cuts. He informed that more than 6000MW shortfall the country is facing currently could be met if furnace oil was supplied to thermal power plants.

The incumbent is being cash-strapped in the existing situation. The chief of the power company continued that the other way to ease the desperate revenue situation is that the government will have to bring in the huge amounts owed by big defaulters such as large companies and corporations.

Kamran agreed that deals with banks enhanced credit limits for IPPs and RPPs but what we heard before, these entities produce little power despite the advance payments they have received.

The entire situation is before us. People should continue stocking up on emergency lights, lanterns and candles and generators rather than living on hope. In the present scenario, even UPS devises fail to function given the prolonged outages.

We should also consider how many false statements have been issued as for as the power crisis goes, starting the days of ex-minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. People should keep in mind that the recent claim that the currently exorbitant power tariff will go down.

Ultimately it leads to frustration and violent protests when people clash with the authorities while trying to draw attention to their plight.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=13637

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Feb 23 2012. Filed under National, Opinion, Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.