The summer power consumption is four times higher than the winters. Winter is the season of surplus for power but we are experiencing the worst kind of power outage in these winters. My conclusion is that the minister incharge, in addition to being clueless about his job, is also dishonest with the people of Pakistan. I am also quite puzzled as to why a portfolio that needed an expert has been gifted to this nincompoop. Doesn't it reflect on the regime's bankruptcy in talent? I don't know why he is afraid to tell the truth? There is no coordination whatsoever between the agencies involved. Closure of canals is an absurd excuse. The gas and petroleum companies are operating in their own fiefdoms, as are the ministries. The funds are being diverted to purchase bulletproof vehicles, maintain an insensitive parliament and a ridiculously large cabinet. Payment to purchase furnace oil or gas for power plants is not on anybody's priority list. -KHURAM KHAN, Lahore, via e-mail, January 1.