THE energy crisis has reflected negatively on the national economy besides badly affecting people. In addition to becoming a nuisance during the work day, the duration of loadshedding increases instead of decreasing on weekly holidays. On the one hand, Pepco talks of ending unannounced loadshedding and on the other, it is cutting power supplies for 12 to 16 hours.

It is said that power production is much less than the demand, and the completion of the on-going projects will take time. But an increase in the annual power demand and its lower production has become a permanent problem. Pakistan has immense resources for power generation, such as water, sunlight and coal. …

Dr Samar Mubarakmand offered some time ago that if given funds, he can produce 50,000MW of power every day. His landmark offer is very important for the national economy. But because of bureaucratic red tape, there has been no motion towards the immediate release of funds or their allocation in the budget for the purpose.

The federal government has now decided to continue with the Thar coal project, and agreed to release funds for it. It is also being said that Sindh will handle the administrative matters of the project. Soon, eight to 10MW of power would be produced. And in the next phase the figure is to be taken to 100MW. The projects’ capacity would be built up gradually, producing not just power but also gas, diesel and ammonia. It is being said that Rs 900m each will be released in the first halves of the fiscal years 2012-13 and 2013-14.

The government must pay full attention to all the projects it has started to produce power through natural resources. It has launched wind and solar energy projects which will start delivering in the coming years. As far as the bureaucracy is concerned, it must be kept at bay from these projects and all related decisions should be taken in consultation with the people’s representatives.—(May 31)

Selected and translated by Intikhab Hanif.