Media watch: A need for self reliance

Media discusses the current energy and economic problems being faced by Pakistan and suggests indigenous solutions.

Media watch is a daily round-up of key articles featured on news websites, hand-picked by The Express Tribune web staff.

Golden words but...

For a nation that has become used to looking up to the outside world for help any time it is in trouble, it is an uphill task, especially when it is not prepared to give up its wasteful and corrupt ways. The present government has, perhaps, broken all previous records of corruption and dependence on others, and, as a result, the foreign lending agencies have come to dictate terms even on matters that have a crucial socio-economic relevance for the country. (nation.com.pk)

The worsening gas crisis

Pakistan can actually meet its gas needs indigenously and cost-effectively. To do that, however, a number of measures are essential. The power sector should be gradually shifted to hydropower and coal by meaningfully exploiting the two resources on a war footing. The existing gas reserves should be reserved for the household, industrial and commercial sectors and for other important needs. Effective energy conservation practices should be incorporated across the board by using the carrot-and-stick mechanism. Gas exploration activities should be boosted to discover further reserves in potential areas. (dawn.com)

Costly iron

Local ore is around 30-40 per cent cheaper than imported, but the previous management of the PSM had excluded local providers from the purchasing process to the surprise of nobody familiar with the workings of this corrupt behemoth. It would appear that this scam contributed in no small measure to the bankruptcy of the PSM, and dates back many years. The details are complex, but France and Iran seem to have been the biggest winners and the miners of Balochistan the biggest losers. (thenews.com.pk)

IMF conditions: compliance issues

The irony about the current state of affairs is that there are obvious solutions to our economic problems. As is evident, the government needs to convince parliament that a tax on the elite is no longer an option but a necessity. Neither the donors, nor indeed the public is in any mood to keep on footing the bill, which our profligate executive continues to mount. With respect to power sector reforms, the government has to focus on developing a mix of energy sources for power generation that are not going to break the backbone of the economy - both of ordinary households and the productive sector. Thus relying on expensive thermal power to meet 70 percent of the country's energy needs is simply not economically viable. (brecroder.com)