Daily Times

The strike call given by the PML-N-sponsored Qaumi Tajir Ittehad in Lahore the other day to protest against crippling power outages, both scheduled and unscheduled, has fizzled out. This despite the fact that the rally taken out covered the distance from the historic Muslim Masjid, Lahori Gate, to Bhaati Gate — the PML-N’s bastion of support. The strike/rally was the latest of a string of protests by PML-N against the federal government. The wholesale markets that observed a complete shutter down included Akbari Mandi, Badami Bagh, Mochi Gate, Circular Road, Shah Alam and Urdu Bazaar, though the Hall Road, Defence, Johar Town and Iqbal Town markets remained open. So did Liberty. Interestingly, the market closure seemed to follow a definite pattern: markets located in posh peripheral city areas, by and large, disregarded the strike call, but those in localities closer to the old Lahore heeded it. The mixed response from the traders, considered the PML-N’s support base, may reflect the wisdom of the bazaar that load shedding is already affecting their businesses and earnings. A strike would only add to this loss of income, while not making any difference as far as power outages are concerned. The other day, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, in an attempt to garner political capital, had alleged discrimination against Punjab in load shedding, a charge that flew in the face of objective reality, as the power crisis is a countrywide phenomenon, with Karachi, the country’s financial and industrial hub, being as much hit by the energy crisis as Lahore, if not worse.

Thanks to the abiding energy crisis, aided and abetted by an incompetent bureaucracy, the country’s projected growth rate has plummeted to three to four percent. Instead of indulging in a blame game, the stakeholders must develop consensus on a national programme to pull the country out of the vortex of the energy crisis. Strikes and unrest will only further damage the economy. Let us stop playing politics on this national crisis. Parliament can be the best forum to resolve national issues, if a spirit of consensus and mutual accommodation is allowed to guide our thinking and actions. The partial response given to the strike called by PML-N seems to show both popular pragmatism and the people’s emotional fatigue. Let us build this sentiment into a positive force to put the country and its economy back on the rails. *