Over the years, the inter-corporate debt in the energy chain has mounted to Rs500 billion and power transmission and distribution losses of state-owned companies, which stand at more than 25% in some cases, have made matters worse. PHOTO: FILE
The government will curtail the duration of electricity outages in Ramazan and has chalked out short- and long-term plans to end crippling load-shedding across the country, says the water and power minister, but he has no specific timeframe.
Earlier, the Pakistan Peoples Party-led coalition government set deadlines to do away with acute power shortages, but miserably failed to meet its commitments. In the past many years, widespread and prolonged outages crippled life and business, triggering resentment among people and businessmen, sometimes leading to riots.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who took over as minister of water and power, told the media here on Saturday load-shedding would be equally shared by all consumers.
“We will try to ensure equal load-shedding in all sectors,” he said, adding measures would be taken to get rid of corruption in the power sector.
Chastising the PPP government, he said they had five years to improve conditions, but they wasted time and did nothing. The new government would try to overcome the power crisis in order to provide relief to the people, he declared.
Though he said short and long-term plans had been prepared to bridge the widening electricity demand-supply gap, he refused to set any deadline to eliminate load-shedding from the country.
“We will have to clear the mess caused over the last 14 years that has plagued the entire energy chain,” he remarked.
Over the years, the inter-corporate debt in the energy chain has mounted to a whopping Rs500 billion and cash-strapped power companies, which are owed billions of rupees, have been unable to run at full capacity. Power transmission and distribution losses of state-owned companies, which stand at more than 25% in some cases, have made matters worse.
Responding to a question, Asif said he could not give a deadline to end electricity outages, but the government would inform people about any unscheduled load-shedding.
Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) chairman and some other officials held a meeting with the minister for water and power and briefed him about hydropower projects.
Asif expressed concern over transmission and distribution losses and sought a comprehensive report on the losses, receivables and payables of power distribution companies.
He also asked the power firms to ensure equitable load-shedding across the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 9th, 2013.
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We expected the same, Nothing new for the public.
top storys daliy
I am surprised why a time line cannot be given when all things are known to the Government and the people at large. First and foremost that can do is to recover dues from defaulters where a law already exists. Secondly government run power plants at precariously inefficient levels can be closed and the oil or natural gas that is consumed is diverted to efficient plants. Loss of electricity generation from government plants would result in 2 to 3 times more electricity from private power plants. Thirdly all illegal connections should be disconnected as per law. Honest calculation of tariff for consumers - not including for T&D losses over and above the standard, loss of revenue due to non payment of dues, and other inefficiencies would surely result in more revenue as people would not feel cheated. These all can be achieved with a time line - businesses are run with the targets in front and not behind. Lets not hide our face like a ostrich and come forward with a time line to show your confidence and will to tackle the problem. The easiest thing is to pass on the blame which should be avoided at all costs.
Raise you hands if you are surprised at this news...I know I am not!
The only thing I love about the West is that they move on, the govt in power tries to tell you how they can fix problems,in our part of the world,they stay busy criticizing the previous govt and this way they get nothing done. This negative habit needs to be altered and a change needs to be brought.
If the government is unable to give a deadline then it signifies that presently they do not have log term plan at all. and the reason is obvious- Fund. The energy crisis coupled with resource crisis is really very challenging and remedy is still unavailable and the bitter pill is difficult to administer.
“We will have to clear the mess caused over the last 14 years that has plagued the entire energy chain,” Now the truth about the good governance of Gen Mush is coming out. Not a single KW of power was added in his long tenure while he got about $30 billions in US money. Now PML-N is not going to give any timetable as the elections are over. In fact they would make the situation look worse and make people suffer more before there is any improvement to get the credit.
what time frame, Mr. Shehbaz Sharief already given us the time frame, we are just waiting if the can fix this problem within the given time frame before we start agitation against this government.
we have been betrayed once again ! alas
I don't think anyone is that naive in Pakistan to expect that energy issues can be solved easily in even the 5 year term of the current government. The last government did very little to ease the load shedding and 9 years of Musharraf rule did nothing to add to the electricity grid. If the new government can bring even a 25 % reduction in load shedding, it will be big news!
Khawaja Asif, I have heard you on the media for years and you come out very honest and direct which has been rare in the past. It will take years to fix 70 to 80% energy shortage problem but it is possible to to take small key steps and make 5 or 10% improvement. This is possible in many ways. Start providing to honest bill payers that don't steal electricity.
Wait a min. Didnt shahbaz already give a deadline before elections? What was that...a best guess?!?
Disappointed in pmln....already going back on election pledges.
Solution requires money. Government does not know when and where from the money will come. This translates exactly into what the minster says.
Now they are in goverment. Time frame will be given only when they are in opposition
Fair and logical for not giving a date as one does not know what lies under the carpet.