Daily Times

Sir: The Punjab government has started building new overheard bridges on Ferozepur Road, Lahore to provide for easy access to the metro bus service through a signal-free corridor. Building roads is always good for development but in the present circumstances does not it reflect a misplaced policy decision? In the presence of acute electricity shortage, the money being used on building roads should have been spent on the energy sector. Even if we have one of the world’s finest road networks, if our homes are cold, frosty and unliveable due to the energy shortage, what good would these roads do to our mental health? It is for this very reason that people have given a lukewarm response to the youth loan scheme launched by the government. People have lost the motivation to work in the face of the energy crisis. Which business will take off when there is no light, gas or other facilities required to run a business? Even a small home cannot operate in the absence of electricity, leave alone a business. So the government has to rethink its policies about the energy sector. The minister for water and power is found more interested in the additional job of the defence ministry given to him lately. A dedicated minister is required for the purpose.

Ali Haider shah
Lahore