Daily Times

All the tall claims of the PML-N government about resolving the energy crisis have been dashed to the ground with the abandoning of the Gadani project and now four coal-based power projects in Punjab. It seems now that the government was working on these projects just to throw dust in the eyes of the people. It is very difficult to explain why the government first announced, inaugurated and then suddenly shut the coal-based projects when the country is doomed to face a severe energy crisis. How can Pakistan get rid of load shedding by 2017 when the government is just playing games by announcing the start and then abruptly closing important projects? In its campaign during the 2013 elections, the PML-N made hollow claims about ending the energy crisis within months but now all its absurdities are being revealed. It seems that the PML-N government has become a victim of nepotism. It has given a free hand to all non-professional and non-serious persons, who are busy making experiments at the cost of the national exchequer. The abandoned projects seem to have been started without proper feasibility and planning. No one seems to be questioning the government how much public money has been wasted in these so-called energy ventures. The difficulties in laying the required infrastructure and backing away of Chinese investors are said to be the causes for the closing of these projects. The government should have considered these possibilities before launching the projects. Relying solely on China even at the cost of transparency and public procurement rules is not logical. The government is now planning to focus on LNG-run power plants. It is still unclear how much money and time would be required for making LNG-based power plants operational.

It is in the larger interest of the country that the government should not completely abandon coal-based power plants. Both LNG and coal are comparatively cheaper sources of energy. The government should not repeat the mistakes in the coal-based projects while laying the foundations of LNG power plants. It should conduct proper planning in sequence for successful completion of jobs. The PML-N should not rely only on China for investment and technology; rather it should award projects to companies belonging to other developed countries on the basis of international competitive bidding. The energy crisis is already grave and the situation is turning bleak with every passing day. Instead of wasting public money on showpiece development works, the government should make investments in the necessary much-needed infrastructure. In this regard, upgrading of power-related infrastructure and better recovery of power utility dues would go a long way towards concretising plans. Last but not least, the government should purge all institutions of nepotism and hire merit-based professionals. *