ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has called an emergency meeting on the ongoing energy crisis in the country, Express News reported on Thursday.
Officials from the Ministry of Water and Power, Ministry of Petroleum and the Finance ministry have been called to attend the meeting.
According to the presidential spokesperson, the meeting will be held on Thursday night, during which some important decisions will be taken.
Several violent protests have been staged across the country against prolonged loadshedding in various areas of the country.
Protesters set on fire the Wapda complex, offices of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leader Tehmina Daultana in Vehari on Thursday, and also attacked the DPO office. While in Faisalabad, protesters forced shops to shut down and thrashed shop-owners.
People in Wazirabad have also complained that industries in the city have shut down due to loadshedding, resulting in several problems for them.
MQM on energy crisis
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain demanded that the ongoing energy crisis in the country be addressed on an emergency basis.
Hussain, in a statement released from London, demanded President Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to provide the nation relief from electricity loadshedding.
He added that the nation is suffering due to loadshedding and the businesses are also being severely affected.
COMMENTS (37)
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I think no one has mentioned the rising prices of furnace oil which is increasing the circular debt by the day. We have to replace furnace oil which is being imported at such a higher price that every unit we consume produces a loss to the country. Instead of furnace oil we should make coal gas from our coal reserves in Thar, chakwal and other areas. Also, it is doable and proved by Dr Samar Mubarak in 2010.
When in doubt - blame it on the American's - seems to work every time.
Laanat baishumar on this government and all people involved with this government.
Election gimmick .. PPP failed ... along with coalition ..Simple Answer..
What President has done during the last four years to increase the electricity supply in the country?
Nothing.
That is why he has called an emergency meeting today after the riots started in the various cities of Pakistan.
I don't find any difference between General Musharraf and Mr. Asif Ali Zaradri, as both of them have failed even to add a single KW in the electricity supply in the country..
How many of these so called protesters actually pay their electricity bill?
What does this shows... Lack of electricity or lack of education and tolerance? Such a protest will solve the problem? But who cares...
@MyHeartSpeaks: well said. as i read about the meeting, this was the 1st thought that entered my mind.we dont expect any positive outcome from this meeting. and if the loadshedding drops after this meeting as some people are suggesting, then it will again be a false hope bcoz our planners r not working on capacity building.. rather they r always trying to come up with temporary solutions
@John: Pakistan will survive InshaAllah as it has for long. Its time that people of Pakistan decide and not let the blame lie of the following:
Allah Gormint (Government) Amreeka weather politicians Any other factor other than one's own self@smj: They will just waste more..
It would have made more sense if he had called this emergency meeting four years ago. Now it is a case of too little, too late.
Simple solution...just cut the power supply to President/PM hourses, CM houses, and MNAs MPs residences ...just for couple of hours each day. Believe they will find n implement genuine solution right away.
As Imran Khan stated all is required as far as short term is concerned is to tackle the circular debt which the govt has thus far showed no serious attempt to eliminate. Secondly all current power generating units need to be revamped with proper management in order to increase efficiency. And thirdly there needs to be a meaningful plan from top to bottom with the govt leading the way to conserve energy! Then we have certain individuals especially from our lovely liberal community who say Imran khan has no plan!!!
Democracy has another year left...wish Pakistan has the same luck!
after every 3-4 four month there is a Emergency meeting on Energy crisis
Finally!! President should ask all govt depts and FATA to pay their bills. All it needs is CASH. Or print more money and throw at the problem. SIMPLE.
Nation, rest assured that there will be days of zalalat until budget is announced. The money for electricity generation is being held for inclusion in budget. They have to show efficieny to IMF in theory. Just like they manipulated last tax collection and the very next days, the fraud was disclosed to media - on purpose.
Energy crisis cannot be solved in emergency meetings. It needs a long term planning and consistent efforts and strategies to solve the problem.
I guess this time the outcome of this emergency meeting will be: Three days (Fri-Sun) off in all private and govt. institutions. That's the only thing this govt can do instead of using own resources to meet energy need. Pity to Govt. Pity to those who supports this Govt.
People electing PPP and this is what we get;
I can bet the load shedding is going to finish .... he needs this feather in his cap in his last year ... just watch !
@smj:"How much electricity can be generated by a presidential meeting?" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Well a Presidential Meeting will actually consume electricity......
as have the earlier meetings have ......sadly only served to enhance the yawning gap between demand and supply.
To all PPP supporters/voters:
HOAR CHUPPO !!!
Keep electing them and keep getting screwed, you miserable lot.
How much electricity can be generated by a presidential meeting?
Burn any PTI offices. The Tsunami will put them out! ...won't it?
the agenda of the meeting is as follows.
after getting kickbacks from rental power plants, what are other avenues that can be explored to siphon off more hard cash, which would later be distributed to jyalas to win the next election.
how to fill the ever empty stomachs of the allies PML Q, MQM, ANP, JUI F etc........as the race for new PM starts, they are smelling blood and want their respective share to be enhanced.
if sometime is left after the above mentioned important issues..........adding a few MWs in the national electric grid may be looked into.
hahahahhahahahahahaha @ emergency meetings!!
Please let us not expect anything, anythiny at all. from the most corrupt regime, buying time to loot and make more. The present regime has NO credence, no respect for law only interested to loot and continue as lomg as wrath of God falls on them.
Looks like "tsunami" has reached PML-N and TI offices.
@jibran: what ISI has to do with load shedding and Gov. mismanagement ??
Simple question! How many (M)Watts were added to the system in last 4 years? Remember the speech of our 'PM' back in 2008? He said "if proper planning was done in last 4 or 5 years we would not have any loadshedding today" I ask again the same question to the 'PM' after 4 years!
Why always too late.? Why after so many protests.? Why after destruction.? Why Why..?????
Yes ! Good idea, some Chai-nashta too ! The PM is chilling in London at Taxpayer's expense and there are multiple crises at home ! Another waste of time meeting !
I think this "emergency" meeting has been called also because of the PML-Q threatening to leave the Govt over the loadshedding issue! Petty politics PMLQ has been in govt for a while and now as elections draw near they are preparing to jump ship!
Wapda should issue the list of government departments which have outstanding electricity dues. And in the next budget the government shall deduct that amount from their annual budgets. No one should be spared, including ISI.
Burning PTI and PML N offices wont help. Vehari elected 2 PPP and 1 PML Q MNA's in 2008 elections (out of 4 seats). These are our own mistakes which are costing us big time now.