Problems with our power sector have been made so complex and complicated that the sector itself has become a white elephant that is draining the national economy instead of boosting it. Gross mismanagement, incompetence, corruption and lack of accountability across all its tiers are the hallmarks of this vital sector.
The result is its poor financial health and quality of service to the consumers accompanied by an unreliable and unaffordable delivery of electricity across the country. As in the past, the whole country faces prolonged loadshedding that has brought economic activities to almost a halt, besides making the lives of the masses miserable. However, electricity prices are regularly escalating, making it the costliest commodity in the region and no more affordable to many, thereby encouraging power theft which is already high. The inefficiency is so high that many power plants have been shut down or operating at reduced capacities since the order for ensuring adequate fuel supply was not placed at the right time by the powers that be. Also, some plants are closed for repairs and unscheduled maintenance.
The power sector is the main driving force behind a nation’s economy. Without a reliable and affordable power supply system, it is impossible for our economy — any economy — to take off. The irritating part is that no punitive measures are taken against delinquent, inefficient, incompetent and corrupt administrators and officials. As a result, this important organ of the state is going downhill with no remedy in sight, at least in the foreseeable future.
We should stop living in a fool’s paradise and should face the facts. The public has the right to know the factual state of affairs of the power sector from the government, and its plans, if any, to streamline its affairs. The government now must give us a timeframe for the provision of a reliable power supply system with zero loadshedding at affordable charges.
RIAZ BHUTTA
ISLAMABAD
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