Marvi Memon Today, Pakistan is crumbling due to the energy crisis. The present government used to blame the last government. But after the current marriage of convenience between the two, this strategy is a sham and they are both equally to blame. When industry and agriculture alike cannot function at optimum, the jobs get affected other than every single social and economic indicator. Parallel to that homes and peace of mind suffer. Whether the energy crisis statistics are loss of 400,000 jobs yearly or a cut of Rs5 billion of exports yearly, for me the biggest statistic is the riots in the cities and villages of Pakistan, which demonstrate that people are suffering beyond reasonable proportions. The crisis is due to the government not wanting to finish up kosher hydropower projects and preferring rental hydro projects to make a quick buck. The power policy of 2002 was supposed to give Pakistan 22,555MW of hydropower in a phased timeframe. According to experts, the short-term plan was 15 different run-of-the-river hydropower projects, having a total capacity of 1,358MW that were scheduled to be completed in June 2007, besides three projects, including Neelum-Jhelum, AJK Chakothi, and Kohala on Jhelum River, having gross installed capacity of 1,848MW that were scheduled to be commissioned in June 2010. Unfortunately, these projects were not completed within the stipulated time due to vested interests in wanting to push rentals where commission was the attraction for the current set of looters. The "go-slow" strategy has widened the gap between power supply and demand. Had these projects been implemented, we would have had 3,206MW of cheap hydroelectricity, which would have averted the riots and the socioeconomic decline. It is incredible that only one small project of Malakand-III (NWPF now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) generating 86MW power could be completed after eight years, against the target of 3,226MW fixed in 2002. This means that only two percent of the total target was achieved. Even the small dam initiative of the looters is a scam. After spending Rs31 billion only 7MW of energy and 0.3MAF storage of water would be gained. The warped argument being given by the looters is that hydropower projects take too much time to be executed. Planning for short-, medium- and long-term is something unknown to them. When world examples are analysed, this argument falls flat since many important projects were completed in record time. During World War II, the United States was facing a serious energy crisis. The then President put on high priority the implementation of the Douglas Dam in Tennessee to generate electricity for national defence purposes. The construction work began in February 1942 and the project was completed within just 12 months and 17 days. The dam not only had storage capacity of one MAF of water, but also capability to generate 166MW hydroelectricity. Similarly, the American engineers set another example by completing the Cabinet Gorge Dam on Clark Fork River in just one and a half years in Idaho having a storage capacity of 106,000 acre feet and generating capability of 231MW hydroelectricity. Next door to us knowing the fact that hydroelectricity incurred no fuel cost, minimal operating cost and durability of hydropower plants, the Indian policymakers are vigorously pursuing to add clean and renewable 50,000MW of hydropower to their energy mix. Pursuing this national mission, the Indians have set some records in completing hydroelectric projects in record time. The multipurpose 520MW Omkareshwar Project on Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh was completed in a record time. Instead of six years, the project was completed in four and a half years. Another 20MW Kabini Hydropower Project was completed in just 20 months on Kabini River, in spite of facing the worst unforeseen geological challenges and monsoon woes. Another, 13MW hydropower project on Tawa River, a tributary of Narmada River, was completed in a record time of 22 months against the estimated time of 40 months at less than 15 percent cost against the allocation. The project, which excelled in the history of hydropower project management, is the hydroelectric power project in Himachal Pradesh. It is unique, as it was built within 30 months as against the schedule of five years at almost 50 percent less than the approved budgeted cost at much high altitudes and amidst difficult mountainous terrain. As a contrast to this, Pakistan has wasted time. When it is clear that some projects are technically no-goes nationally, they are still being harped on. All those hydro projects, which are technically acceptable to all of Pakistan need to be hurried along. The go-slow policy on run-of-the-river 4,325MW has cost Pakistan its life. Water management and canal lining projects, which create breathing space in terms of water savings, have been ignored. The National Programme of Improvement of Watercourses is a saviour project that could have changed Pakistans destiny. But these looters wanted to loot not save Pakistan. All this coupled with corruption in the irrigation and drainage sectors have cost people their lives. Millions have been displaced in the floods. Indeed, this water could have been saved in small dams had the planning been implemented versus purposely delayed. The funds for drainage and irrigation infrastructure maintenance were used for loot and plunder, and this has pushed Pakistans rural economy back 50 years in many places. The sad truth is that even though the people of Pakistan know that their natural resources are being looted, they are not lynching the looters. If I knew that the government was delaying non-controversial hydro projects for the sake of their commissions, why would I support them? That would be a crime in itself. To support those who have stolen from Pakistan is in itself criminal. Therefore, the blame for Pakistans current water and energy security crisis is to be shared by those who are looting and those voters who will support them in the future. Water and electricity is life. The looters are denying Pakistan life. Indeed, it is a crime. The writer is a former Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan.