Raise in power tariffs

The Friends of Democratic Pakistan, who met recently in Brussels, have reportedly suggested a set of measures to help Pakistan overcome a crippling energy crisis. Among these is a proposal for a 200 per cent raise in power tariff — generating additional resources which would enable Pakistan to overcome its power crisis in three years. But we must ask — and hope that the government will too — what impact such a move would have on the people of Pakistan. We all know the answer. The impact would, to put it mildly, be absolutely crippling. There is simply no way people could find a way to raise the amount required for this. They have already pulled the last paisas out of pockets that hang loose and empty. There is nowhere to dig any deeper. While increasing power tariffs is just a proposal, we must ask why anyone who claims to be a friend of democratic Pakistan would even come up with such a suggestion.

Democracy, of course, is all about people. This needs to be recognised. We certainly need a solution to our energy crisis but it cannot come at the cost of people. The rapid inflation forced by donors in the price of utilities has already contributed to a decline in the standing of the government. People feel their concerns are being neglected, with utility bills taking a bigger and bigger slice out of budgets. There is not even a sliver left behind to put into savings, or to cover sudden crisis such as ill-health. This holds true, not only for the people who live in poverty but for almost the entire middle class as well.

The government needs to accept that Pakistan needs to find ways to help itself. Other proposals on improving energy production were mentioned at the meeting. These need to be considered. Many experts have come up with ideas that need to be explored. While keeping machinery running is imperative, it is also vital that people are taken care of and their rights are being protected by the representatives they have elected.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2010.