The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) on Sunday announced it will delegate decision-making authority from politicians to professionals in the energy sector to tackle the prevailing crisis.
The party, while describing the incumbent government as incapable of handling the energy crisis, laid out its five-year strategy to overcome the problem at a seminar it hosted on the subject.
“The current government has neither the ability nor the political will to make the sector financially viable by reducing losses and leakages in the system and cutting the cost of energy generation,” PTI chief Imran Khan said.
Earlier this week, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) held a conference over the same issue where the PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif identified energy crisis as the biggest challenge for any new government.
“Business as usual” is not the solution for the problem, Imran said while addressing PTI’s first energy related seminar.
He underlined the need for preventing political interference in institutional matters.
“The elimination of terrorism and bringing good governance are short-term targets. Tackling the energy crisis, however, is a long-term goal,” Imran added.
Indigenous resources such as domestic gas and Thar Coal have been ignored. Ever-increasing dependence on imported furnace oil has amplified the total oil import bill from $3 billion to $12 billion in the last decade, said a statement issued by the party.
PTI warned that if immediate actions are not taken, Pakistan’s power shortages will rise from the current 5,500 megawatts to over 11,000 megawatts in the next five years, resulting in longer hours of load shedding.
The natural gas deficit will rise from 1,600 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) to 3,500 mmcfd and the energy import bill will rise from $12 billion to $60-120 billion by 2025, depending on oil prices and drastic increases in tariffs.
Jahangir Khan Tareen, in his comprehensive presentation on energy crisis in the country, also unveiled PTI’s short and medium term plans to overcome the problem.
The short-term plan that has been designed for two years will attempt to minimise impact of power and gas shortages in the country besides reducing burden of ever increasing tariffs on poor.
In the medium-term plan of five years, PTI will aim to resolve the circular debt crisis and encourage influx of capital flows, plug gas deficit by increasing supply by 3,500 mmcfd, eliminate load shedding by improving efficiency of power plants, and bringing existing offline capacity online.
He said we will liberate public sector enterprises from government interference and appoint independent boards with real powers, including selection of Chief Executive Officers.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2012.
COMMENTS (70)
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Good to see serious work being done by PTI on problems instead of slogans. Wish PTI and Pakistan well.
@Shyam: If you know anything about IKs life you'll know he has always done what others told him not to do because he wont be able to. From becoming the best fast bowler to winning the World cup to making world's only and largest charitable cancer hospital to Namal College in Mianwali, all these were seemingly impossible tasks and everone told him he can't do it. He loves challenges and the more people tell him "you can't", the more determined he becomes. He has the vision, he's not a sell out, he's determined and now he has support of the masses. He's not a politician but a leader and that's what we need. He never gives up on his dream & I feel he's the only one who can tackle the most difficult problems the country faces today.
@yaz IK has talked, but he seems to be making statements which are impossible to walk e.g eliminating landlords (another civil war in the making). eliminating corruption in 19 days etc. Corruption is a state of mind both for bribe givers and takers. Changing the state of mind of 180 million people in 19 days seems absurd. With statements like these it gets difficult to take his statements very seriously.
Getting in professional is fine but will the politicians relinquish these plum postings. More importantly since the civilian governments usually have very limited power in Pakistan will the army allow him to do so?
@Maryam: Yeah cry me a river, its only the truth. PPP, PML-N trolls have been playing the "us poor victims" card forever now and its getting really old.
@Shyam: PTI just gave the energy policy. If you have a problem with a specific idea/point in the plan, then say so. IK has 'walked the talk' many times before, so we know he CAN do it. Generalized condemnation of the plan doesnt make sense.
Splendid chap!! he is telling what everyone wants to listen. Next he will say he will guarantee a beautiful wife and passage to heaven to every dead Pakistani.
He can talk the walk but can he walk the talk?
@Akhtar: give me the name that anyone other except khan; u have in your mind ..
@Super Pak: I am not surprised at all at your language. You just prove yourself a true PTI-lover!
India is installing solar thermal plants in Gujarat.
When is Pakistan going to build its first solar thermal plant?
Well done PTI....
VOTE FOR PTI.... VOTE FOR PAKISTAN.....
PTI on Sunday announced it will delegate decision-making authority from politicians to professionals in the energy sector to tackle the prevailing crisis: the most right wing elitism is what it is- no confidence in the elected representatives of people.
I have a friend who is working in MIT after his PHD and Post-Doc on devising solutions for energy crisis across the globe. He had a chance to analyze Pakistan's energy sector in detail. His findings were similar to what PTI has referred to as the source of the problem; which is for decades, we have made investments in expensive energy generation technology and now it is coming back to bite us. The only way to handle this is planned phase-out of old furnace oil based energy generation and replace it with more efficient and economical energy generation. And that is exactly what PTI is suggesting.
That a big step in the right direction --- but those professionals are going to recommend dramatic price increases (which won't be popular), making sure people pay their utility bills, cutting out political maneuvering on setting priorities for who gets energy first, etc. Whoever implements this is going to be very unpopular but it's medicine that is long overdue.
Imran Khan has a vision. I for one know that he is going to do what he says INSHALLAH and ALLAH has always helped him in his noble causes like Shaukat khanum etc and ALLAH will help him again.
p.s haters keep on hating ;)
Delegation of responsibilities will not resolve problems, ultimate decisions must be made by elected representatives and politicians must have capabilities to evaluate professionals and their proposals. If PTI really want to resolve the issue, they must start consulting with professionals and emphasize not only on what is to be done but also on how it will be done.
@Uza Syed: Tell me what the other so-called political parties of Pakistan are doing? Has anyone of them done any planning remotely close to the planning that PTI has done? I agree that the plans can always be improved etc but please come out of your small minded political bashing and look at the bigger picture. Give some suggestions of improving the ground realities, if you can't do that then its best to let others do something good or keep quite.
Is Mr. Imran Khan or Mr. Jehangir Tareen a professional of the Power Sector?????
@Akhtar: Yea right... like the only thing we should care about is Imran Khan's views on Blasphemy laws! What does that have to do with the energy sector or power problems of Pakistan? You are so blinded by your own little agenda that you can't see anything beyond it.
This is a very good move by PTI. Imran khan is our last hope.
Imran Khan is the only politician who himself is a politician and want to take powers from the elected representatives to Technocrats. This will be a unique example in the world.
@Hassan: my dear friend those are forcasts if changes are not made. he just em[hasized the size of the problem. be rest assured your current leadership will only be interested in commissions
@Hassan - buddy - Pls don't pick and chose figures from the energy report - distorts the facts and nothing more :)
Producing new energy sources is a different thing - which you are quoting over here - but you are not taking into account the the targets set to minimize Transmission and Distribution losses. As far medium term is concerned - everyone knows Energy problems is one of the biggest issue Pak is facing - New Sources won't be setup overnight - this would take time - the short term goal should be to reduce the Theft / Corruption in Energy sector and try and minimize the distribution losses. Rest are certainly medium term - to long term plans - learn to appreciate and not only criticize
@ Uza Syed, i know its difficult for people like you to stop hating but give it a try its truly liberating, Jehanghir Tareen is heading the PTI think tank and thats why he is presenting he is not running the Ministry for Energy yet, your demand to know who the professionals are is asinine really focus on whats been said rather than who is saying it, since you have no idea about the energy problem and its possible solutions who chose to bring up this crazy issue!!!!!!
I sad it in 1997 that only Imran Khan can save this Country from these corrupt polticions. more convince than ever before that IK can get us out from this mess. may Allah help us to save our beloved Country from these evils politicions and others who have brought misey to billions of our peoples. ALLAH bless our country
GK London
Can some journalist ask Imran khan his views on Blasphemy laws? Whether he supports or rejects? This will show the true face Imran khan.
This generation will change the face of Pakistan. GO PTI Pakistan is with YOU!!
another kind of elitism, rejecting people rights on the name of rule by the professionals is a bad taste.
Wait wait... Now the two good for nothing brothers from Punjab and their incompetent team will copy paste this strategy. They have always been this bad. Copying others. Haven't they?
an uphill task.... IK the last Hope...!!!!
Okay---so the PTI says no politicians would handle energy matters and then lets Jehangeer Khan Tareen do all the presentation etc. regarding the subject and the plans-----doesn't anyone notice or have intensions to notice the obvious contradiction here-----does this Tareen have some special training and expertise in power sector? I want to know which professionals are helping PTI and I want them to do presentations and explain the road-maps here.
@ honeybee
He already has it. He made Sahuakat Khanum and Namal college with that charagh already ;-)
Now wait for PMLN to copy paste.
Only cheap resources should be used in public transport, like buses, taxis, rickshaws, etc and ban all CNG stations for Private cars. This will save lot of gas for industrial production and will not hurt poor people who are users of CNG for cheaper mode of transporation.
It is gud to think over this,but their is need to do it practically now.
kon jeeta hay tery zulf kay sar honey tak
Smart and intelligent strategy and PTI gets the credit!
@Akhtar:
Yeah right and Nawaz and PPP can handle such issues. Some people here are really funny.
Yes Khan you can do this...we are with you
I am glad that our politicians are giving policy line and talking about Long term and short term goals. InshaAllah we will achieve that goals.
my VOTE to PTI
@salman: this seminar was too deep for the anti-pti trolls to comprehend. be prepared for a barrage of attacks!
Good strategy by taking the debate to public, yet not giving up details. This will prompt other parties to take their arguments to the street too. Let's see what they have to say...keep the momentum up and differentiate yourself from the incompetent crowds.
I dont know what PTI supporters are thinking abt this policy. But few things which i can understand from reading their policy are as follows: 1. After 5 yrs, ppl will be suffering from more loadshedding as PTI envisages an increase in shortfall by 5,500 MW in next 5 yrs but only planning to add 4000 MW which will result in an increase of 1,500MW shortfall in existing 5,500MW. 2. Gas shortfall will rise by 1900mmcfd asnd PTI plans to increase gas output by 2000mmcfd thus shortfall will remain at almost similar level. 3. There is no concrete short term solution i.e. in 1-2 years.
Thus, the suffering of the ppl through energy crisis will not be reduced if PTI will rule this country during next five years.
@HoneyBee: At least he is promising and making efforts to light up the " Chiragh" are you doing anything other than crying out darkness?
Remind yourself Everyday-IK is the only hope-for anything decent in future Pakistan. He has single handedly done more then the present governmnet. Can u imagine what he can do when in power. So let's make sure we turn out for him when he needs us
Thar coal gasification project will also be initiated on priority basis in the first 100 days of PTI in power which is a great news!
Only hope for Pakistan- Imran Khan
It is a fantastic doable plan. Glad to see PTI coming up with solutions of problems instead of criticising and sloganeering. All points in the detailed report are relevent and if followed with sincerity, energy crisis will be averted. Well done PTI! Now come up with education, economy plans.
Well said. Can anybody disagree with the heading
At least, he is saying up front and letting all know what they are planning. How many times, we have seen such policies from others so far. All I hear is, load shedding is over, yeah its over for a week then back to darkness at its best. It won't be easy for PTI to do that or say it won't be possible for them to do all of it right but at least they are willing to rectify and we should be glad if they can achieve 60% of it. Even that will be still positive as compared to all going downhill currently. I am not die hard PTI fan but a common Pakistani who wants things to turn better for us and I see PTI at least willing to do i. They are far better than us commenting here online only. My 2 cents only.
Well done, Go PTI gooooo, keep on rocking. Nothing is impossible.
Hmmm....when an idealist like khan is talking about five years, then energy crisis is really very serious in Pakistan....
Great to see a party who has taken this sector seriously. YES WE KHAN.
Well done Khan!May Allah succeed in your aim.Ameen
@akhtar atleast give pti credit for conducting energy seminar.
This is the right approach and I believe that Imran Khan has a potential, a dedication and a courage to meet with all the challenges of the country. Bravo Imran Khan
Great effort. Excellent starting point. As expected, any policy that will churn out from Imran Khan's campaign narrative will, no doubt, be reasonable.
I want to make a general point though: Pakistanis who are still skeptical of IK's every move need to understand that there is governance risk involved in every project the government undertakes, because authority must be diffused. The corrupt cannot be seem to diffuse authority efficiently. Critics/intellectuals keep demanding more clarity on PTI policy... Pakistan has volumes of policy papers on & there is no shortage of proposed solutions to Pakistan's problems. With the nation's current state decades into its existence, one can't help think that maybe it's not the policy, but those who have been managing these policies who need to be replaced.
This man is a real champ, Look how well is he preparing his goals. He has got the clear idea in his minds about Pakistan's Problems. Look at the current Politicians, they are ignoring each and everything and put all the burden of increased Price hikes on Helpless People of Pakistan.
Pls see below link for bullet points of presentation:
http://insaf.pk/News/tabid/60/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/10147/PTI-presents-first-of-its-policy-seminars-Energy-From-Crisis-To-Solutions.aspx
They are bringing up pretty substantial and practical stuff up. People cant accuse them of naivety anymore.
This is all very good until the IMF shows up.
Well Done PTI expected nothing less now we will engage them on policy matters, the conferences by PML N and PTI and their Output should be enough of an indicator on who has a vision and who doesnt!!!!!!
Good job PTI!!
Its good to heat that PTI is focusing more on the relevant and important issues, rather than those unrelated with the public! bravo! I have high hopes from PTI! =)
In order to do all that he need..... '"Allah Din ka Charagh'"!!!!
We can have a professional administrator for PM instead of cricketer. Don't vote for khan!
Domestic gas has been ignored or ruthlessly exploited?
Thats the way to handle things! People of Pakistan get some hope!