Before victory in general elections in 2013 Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz vowed to eradicate energy crisis from country in months. Energy crisis was one of the main issues that the government was expected to prioritize. Chief Minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif before elections vowed that after forming government PML-N would end menace of energy crisis within six months. That promise aside the government has made excellent progress on the power load-shedding front, last year’s summer months saw visible reduction in power load-shedding from previous years.
When the ruling party assumed power the country was facing unprecedented power load shedding in summer and gas load-shedding in winter. Recently, the Prime Minister claimed that 10,000 megawatts of new electricity would be added to the system by 2018 and in the next few years, power production will go up by 30,000 megawatts.
If these claims are true, it is expected that Pakistan will have excess supply of electricity in the coming years. Government has added more electricity in the system to bridge gab of supply and demand but nothing substantial is done to end issue of gas load-shedding.
In summer people remained deprived from supply of electricity and now in peak winter season country is facing extreme shortage of gas that is vital for keeping homes warm in extreme cold weather. With every passing day mercury is decreasing in most parts of the country as rainy season is going on, particularly in northern areas. But sadly people are left on their own to tackle with extreme cold weather conditions.
The crisis not only brings misery to the citizens but also to industries that are already plagued with a number of other problems. In many recent reports it is revealed that dozens of factories have been closed due to non-availability of gas and owners are not left with any other option but to shutdown their businesses. In winter residents remain deprived from gas to prepare food and often women are seen protesting against long unscheduled hours of gas loadshedding. Protests in various cities have become a norm yet the government seems apathetic towards the misery of the citizens. Facility of gas is a quite important in winter but it is tragic that people are not being provided with very basic necessity.
Government has made tall claims on conducting historic deals of LNG but common man is still unable to be benefitted from these deals.
The Pakistan, Qatar $1 billion annual liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal that was signed in February last year was touted as a game changer, something that will help a great deal in dealing with the gas crisis. Government should take people in confidence and should inform them the reasons that why they are still suffering despite gas deals with Qatar. It seems that all the focus of policy makers is on rhetoric and passing public statements but on ground situation is portraying quite opposite picture. Instead of public statements that are given without much thought a concrete road map should be issued regarding the issue.
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