The recent termination of as many as two key construction contracts, by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), crucial to the formal inauguration of the $4.5 billion Dasu hydropower project leaves the government’s pursuit to increase power generation across the country in a grim state. WAPDA has, however, defended its decision at length, citing “fundamental breaches” of the agreement in the wake of the consequent uproar by the involved Chinese firm. It is quite unfortunate that even after overcoming all political as well as monetary hurdles obstructing the dam’s construction, the incumbent government might not be able to launch the first phase of the 2,160-megawatt project before the end of its current tenure. In addition to procuring an approval from the World Bank for a $700 million investment loan, Sharif administration should also be appreciated for overcoming Kabul’s opposition to the hydel generation in Dasu. It would be a great shame, thus, if the present set of unpleasant circumstances set forth unwanted delays in the project or compel the main financier to announce any changes in its monetary disbursements. In order to ensure an apt implementation of its much-needed strategy of building a more extensive hydroelectric power capacity, the government must make active efforts in either establishing arbitration between the two parties or finding new, credible contractors. While such developments can only ensue with the help of a significant vigour, the authorities also need to maintain cool and logical heads to minimise the resulting damage. Electricity — that too, cheap electricity — is an immediate demand of the country’s insatiable power appetite. Calls for an imminent, even acute, power crisis could be heard as early as more than a decade ago when a 2002 WAPDA report emphasised upon an urgent need to develop the electricity infrastructure. Nevertheless, apart from a consistent presence of governmental claims of bringing an end to load shedding ‘soon’, the intolerable situation has not yet been calmed. Even though Dasu dam alone cannot rid the country of all its troubles, if completed it would still emerge as one of the largest hydel projects — a sector that still remains impoverished. For this purpose, a lasting collaboration between the government and the power bodies can help carve up long-term solutions to overcome this looming crisis. Along with an extensive investment in large infrastructure projects, the authorities should also realise the potential of building smaller dams. Power generation from hydel sources has always held much appeal for its clean, sustainable nature. Hence, development in this sector would also play a significant role in cutting down Pakistan’s carbon footprint that its thermal power plants seem determined to exacerbate. It is hoped that the concerned parties would soon come to an arrangement that is suitable to both country’s immediate as well as its long-term needs. After all, we cannot afford any frivolity in running such serious affairs at this point in time. *