This present government would hardly have any parallel for its misgovernance, lack of forward planning and inability to tap Pakistan’s natural resources. It has failed to build consensus among the political leadership of the country over the direly needed Kalabagh Dam to meet the energy crisis that is causing economic instability, threatening us with a disaster of horrendous proportions.
The pity is that the Finance Ministry had also refused to release funds for Samar Mubarakmand’s Thar Coal Pilot Project, which promised cheap energy as well as the production of gas and oil. The Planning Commission has even declared the project a failure, which warrants a detailed response from Mr Mubarakmand whose reputation has been put at stake. The decision to abandon it without explaining why Mubarakmand’s feasibility was aborted, has dashed the hope that he had given to the nation and, if fulfilled, would have taken Pakistan out of the energy crisis.
This smacks of another shady manoeuvre in the government corridors to ‘back and protect’ the infamous IPPs it inducted during the PPP’s last term of office in the mid-nineties sending the public energy bill skyrocketing, rather than tapping the resource of far cheaper hydel power. It is significant that the same political party is in the saddle today that has contracted rental power projects. The RPPs strengthened the energy mafia, while subjecting the consumer to an almost 400 percent rise in power tariff that rendered the Industrial wheel dysfunctional.
The project’s feasibility was based on the credible assumption that producing energy with indigenous basic raw material; the world’s second largest coal reserves in Pakistan’s case, was far more feasible and cheaper than depending on expensive imported furnace oil costing precious foreign exchange. On this count alone, the project sounded like a revolution as the people eagerly awaited its outcome. Nothing could be farther from truth than the PPP’s putting the responsibility on previous governments for the present energy crisis.
The nation would anxiously await the government’s explanation for seeking to abort the project which, if successful, would have carried great energy generating prospects. In fact, initial results showed that the coal could be successfully tapped to produce electricity. There is need for a national debate in the media on the issue.
One is really puzzled why the government has shelved the Kalabagh Dam project and has not tried to make use of the immense hydel potential of the country. After all, if India can build hundreds of dams including some huge ones on Pakistani water sources, what stops Pakistan from conserving precious water of what little is left of it. And why can’t the vested interests out to harm our national interest be exposed? One would not need external enemies when one has so many within.
It would be an understatement to say that the present government has failed to address the problems of the electorate whose support it is often seen claiming. The fact is that it not only lacks the will to improve the people’s lives, but is also so preoccupied in its own welfare that it cannot spare a moment’s thought for the voter. The endless talk shows on the media present a doomsday scenario for Pakistan that is perennially carrying a begging bowl to keep its economy going. Hardly anyone among the ruling classes may want to cut down the non-development expenditure by giving up their luxurious lifestyle at the government expense.
The government’s coalition partners are equally responsible for both the lavishness of expenditure and inaction to do something to put the economy back on the rails, for example, by exploiting the country’s own natural resources. They have only expressed their dissatisfaction of the government functioning when their personal or party interests are threatened. There is not much to expect from this coalition, which has around 60 ministries where a mere dozen could do. There are 100 others who enjoy the same perks and privileges as a federal minister.
In truly democratic societies, politicians irrespective of party affiliations, are prisoners of their conscience and do not hesitate to bring such rulers down who, mindless of the state’s economy, are lavishly spending on themselves. The opposition is tasked to keep beating the drum without ever attempting to bring a no-confidence motion in Parliament against the government that is insensitive to the needs of the people.
n The writer is a freelance columnist.
Zaheer Bhatti1@gmail.com