Broadly speaking, the basic yardstick with which the people would remember PPP’s bad governance is how it failed to grapple with the energy crunch. Into fifth year of rule, there has been virtually nothing to make the scourge less severe. The current shortfall has jumped to 6100 MW. As of now the loadshedding spells have increased in certain places to over 18 hours a day. The frustration of the people who took to the streets in Lahore and Sheikhupura on Thursday to protest against blackouts is quite understandable. The pity is that the government while it has failed to bridge the supply and demand gap has been constantly raising electricity’s rates.
Not long ago, the government had stated that it was only the circular debt that needed to be paid in order for the crisis to end. But except for a small amount, it did not pay anything under the excuse of shortage of funds. We have also seen that the government has not initiated any new power project. Likewise, it wasted precious time in foot-dragging and then shelved the vital Kalabagh Dam in the face of unanimous recommendation by scientists and technical experts countrywide as well as internationally. Owing to the heat that would set in owing to change in season, power outages would become even more unbearable and hence pave the way for more demonstrations and social unrest. It seems the PPP’s top hierarchy is least worried about the political fallout.