Electricity crisis demands solutions not rhetoric

Only 11 percent of Pakistanis like sunny weather, according to a recent poll by Gallup Pakistan. The poll also found that some 40 percent people like cloudy weather, 29 percent rainy and 18 percent snowy climate.
In a country, which sees more days of scorching summer than cloudy conditions, these likings could be natural - almost just as those living in colder climates have a fancy for a sunny day out.
But perhaps there are more reasons behind the fondness for clouds; in times of severe power outages and hot summer days, windy overcast weather can be a real blessing.
Unfortunately, however, a cloudy or a rainy day would still keep businesses at bay; no thanks to persistent, announced and unannounced, power outages.
Latest reports suggest that electricity shortfall has started having a spill over affect on the economy.
The intra-corporate energy circular debt has soared back to about Rs250 billion, resulting in lower electricity production, and hence falling industrial output.
Reportedly, 150 steel furnaces have already closed down due to round-the-clock power load shedding, with fears that as many as 500,000 labourers would become jobless if electricity was not restored to steel furnaces.
Its not as if industrialists expect overnight solutions. Zahid Maqbool, President ICCI, called for 12 hours of continuous electricity daily or uninterrupted supply every other day. Authorities must at the very least, manage the load effectively, so that capital industries can keep being productive.
Similar issues are being faced by the countrys biggest foreign exchange earners, the textile businessmen.
The government says it would give 50 percent mark-up support for new investments in machinery and technology, and 20 percent grant on capital cost for establishment of new plants in textile sector. But then, aren new plants supposed to run on electricity - in the absence of which the investment support may end up being a futile exercise.
Higher tariff is another itchy factor.
The IMF is pushing for the withdrawal of energy subsidies, but the government just can take the risk. Already, there have been plenty of backlashes in the streets of Punjab.
Students and small shop owners have joined hands with industrialists after losing their patience over 18-hour load shedding in the countrys biggest vote getting province.
And although Karachi hasn seen any major power riots so far, a fresh round of tariff hike as recently demanded by the KESC may spark the commotion. And knowing that Karachi is a port city, it could easily paralyse the economy.
By now most Pakistanis know how pervasive energy crises can be; they have practically grown up with them and have clearly shown their patience.
But when the policymakers fail to offer pragmatic solutions and instead remain obstinate about the objectionable RPPs, such demonstrations of frustration are a logical consequence.
Need one remind that the recent revolt in Kyrgyzstan was a result of surging utility prices; without immediate preventive measures, Pakistan may be speeding along the same road.