End to power loadshedding by Dec 31, 2012: PM's attempt to allay public anger

MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister's commitment in Lahore to eliminate power load shedding by December 31, 2012, reminiscent of a similar intractable promise made by former Water and Power Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf with December 2009 as his deadline, is being widely dismissed as an ineffectual attempt to appease public anger that is spilling on to the streets.

Supporters of Raja Parvez Ashraf maintain that he did have a strategy to meet energy shortage through rental power projects (RPPs). However, flawed these projects were proven to be subsequent to the third party audit and Supreme Court verdicts. Ironically the prime minister reportedly visited the Ministry of Water and Power in 2009 and advised Raja Parvez Ashraf not to make tall claims as load shedding can not possibly be eliminated within the time period he specified in his public speeches. It appears that the Prime Minister is not following his own advice so argue a growing number of critics of the government's energy strategy.

"There is zero possibility of load shedding ending by the end of 2012," commented one official on condition of anonymity. It appears to be a political slogan that has nothing to do with ground realities, he commented.

According to the official, presently power generation is about 8000-8500MW whereas demand hovers around 11000-11500MW showing an average daily shortfall of 3000-3500MW. An additional 3300MW has been injected in the system through different sources.

In reply to a question, he said that load shedding could be mitigated if professionals are inducted in the power sector as the incumbent team is not qualified to make any improvement in the system. He argued that administrative measures are also required to revamp the system besides action against those involved in financial mismanagement.

During the last federal cabinet meeting held in Karachi, the prime minister had directed the establishment of a task force to improve the efficiency of the energy sector. This was the fourth such committee/task force, constituted under the chairmanship of Finance Minister, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.