Hafsa Khaled

We stand among the comity of nations as a developing third world nation. The economic stability of a developing nation largely depends on the growth of energy sector to trigger social and economic prosperity. Pakistan has been suffering an unprecedented energy crisis since the last few years. Its current energy demand far exceeds its indigenous supplies, fostering dependency on imported oil that places substantial burden on the already weak economy of the country.  For the last ten years there has been no substantial increase in the generation capacity in comparison to a steep rise in the electricity demand.

To tackle the crisis the government has taken various steps to initiate short term and long term projects, which in the long run will prove beneficial to the country’s energy woes. The government is increasing our domestic supplies, attracting foreign investment, promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy and supporting regional and inter-regional cooperation.

Pakistan fortunately is an ideal location for foreign private investment as it provides various transparent avenues to all the investors and works best as an investment destination. Unfortunately in recent years, the investment has been dwindling due to worsening security situation. With the ongoing armed forces operations in the country, the security concerns have diminished to quite an extent and now the focus should be to attract maximum foreign investment to Pakistan in all sectors.

The energy needs of the country should be a top most priority. In that connection the government recently concluded a $1.2 billion quadrilateral project, CASA-1000, which would allow the export of Central Asian electricity to Pakistan and Afghanistan by 2020. Pakistan will obtain 1000MW of electricity via Afghanistan which will get 300MW to be generated by Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Under the project, a total of 1300MW will be produced by Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The project is an important milestone in the attainment of regional integration between Central Asia and South Asia. The CASA project was conceived several years before, but it is only now that it had entered the implementation phase and is about to become a reality. The project demonstrates the landmark cooperation among Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan. The project will achieve a number of economic, social and environmental benefits to the member countries.

As compared to the energy starved Pakistan, Tajikistan has surplus hydel electricity generation with only 5 percent of it being used at present and the other member countries could take benefit from this power potential. This project will allow over  environmentally clean power to be supplied to Pakistan and Afghanistan from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. With the availability of affordable and clean energy the economic development of the region will increase. For Pakistan it will prove quite beneficial as we need such projects right now. It will reduce energy deficit and acute energy shortage which is being faced by the country. The new power line can smooth flows as power demand in Pakistan peaks during the summer months. CASA-1000 is a technically feasible and economically worthwhile project.  Firstly it ensures sufficient supply of Tajik and Kyrgyz electricity in the summer period. Secondly low production costs of electricity in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan coupled with the already high and increasing Pakistani demand is a powerful economic incentive. Thirdly the project will bring cooperation and cordiality, generate economic activity, create job opportunities and improve the living standards of the people of Central Asia and South Asia.

Given the massive energy woes of Pakistan and due to the inaction of various governments and bureaucracies to solve the problem, such projects are a need of the hour. It is only possible with such initiatives that we will be able to finally tackle our energy crisis and finally end the widening gap of our demand and supply. Pakistan has been gifted by sufficient natural energy reserves which, if utilized properly, are more than enough to meet our energy demands. But apart from tapping our own reserves, such projects will be helpful in the long run to bring energy and power from other countries which have a surplus.

It is quite unfortunate that despite the massive problems that are being faced by Pakistan, that need immediate attention of our leadership, petty politics is being played which is attempting to derail democracy. Today the common man is not concerned about who has how many off shore companies abroad. His concerns are about his daily survival, with food, shelter and security being the top most priorities. Energy shortage, terrorism, health and education are those priority areas which determine the social and economic stability and growth of a country. It is sad that our politicians are not interested in solving these basic issues without which development of a country is impossible. Our biggest dilemma is that if any government tries to incorporate such development projects, many hurdles are created in its way because a developed and economically growing Pakistan is not in the interests of many, who want to see the old system prevail. It would be a dream come true, if all of us leave the politics of interests and work together as a nation for the betterment of Pakistan. For that to happen, all the stakeholders, whether in government or opposition, will have to work together and let democracy flourish by not derailing it once again on petty politics.