Chinese highway to energy heaven
Claiming that prevailing differences among provinces were likely to have an adverse effect on national unity, Khawaja Asif asked Wapda to coordinate with the provinces facing water issues and remove their complaints. In a letter to the editor of this newspaper, Mohammad Khan Sial scoffed at this blatant travesty: “Handing the new assignment to Wapda to remove complaints of provinces is no less than a cruel joke, it is tantamount to making the wolf the custodian of the sheep — this is being said in view of Wapda’s controversial role. Wapda has mostly provided wrong data about the availability and release of water so that it can usurp a large quantity of water to benefit Punjab.”
The present shortcomings in the energy sector notwithstanding, give credit to the Nawaz Sharif regime for assiduously pursuing investment from China. Zardari made a lot of sudden trips to China, surprising and embarrassing his hosts, but the nation had nothing to show for it. Kick-starting the process under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the prime minister recently chaired a Steering Committee on Energy Projects to fine-tune the concessions China is seeking for power purchase agreements and discussing the feasibility studies of coal-based power projects to be launched in Punjab. These include 2x660MW project at Sahiwal, 2x660MW at Rahimyar Khan and 2x660MW at Jhang, other than the solar power project in Bahawalpur.
On a ‘fast track basis’, the processing of 4,250MW coal-based power projects include a 660MW plant by HUBCO, 660MW project by Global Benefit Malaysia, 420MW project by Giga Energy, 660MW by Yunus Brothers-Lucky Cement, two projects of 660MW by Asiapak Hong Kong, 330MW project by Siddiqsons Group and another 200 MW project by Asia Petroleum. China Power International has shown interest in developing two power projects of 600MW each, while the Thar Power Company, a joint venture of Engro Energy and the government of Sindh, has also shown interest in developing two 330MW power plants in the Thar Desert. The ‘early harvest projects’ on the priority list include 870MW Sukki Kinari hydropower project, 720MW Karot hydropower project and 1,100 MW Kohala hydropower project.
At the inauguration ceremony of the Port Qasim Thermal Power Project in May 2014, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong reiterated his country’s readiness to further augment energy cooperation with Pakistan. “We can exactly feel the energy shortage that Pakistani people confront at present. We will like to work together with the Pakistani side to further deepen energy cooperation, including the identification of priority projects, construction of supporting facilities, and control of risks.”
Within one year, the Sharifs have successfully taken the CPEC forward to fruition; this envisages $32 billion of Chinese investment in the industrial and special economic zones besides highways, railways and other transportation facilities, including oil and gas pipelines. Underlining China’s strategic economic interest, Zhang Chunlin, the director of China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced that the Chinese government has allocated funds to build 1,800 km of railway line crossing the Pamirs and the Karakorams to connect the deepwater port of Gwadar. Goods from China's Xinjiang province presently travel a huge land and sea circle to reach Pakistani ports. From Urumqi via Shanghai, the distance to Gwadar is 15,858 km. The mileage can be cut to 4,712 km, and from Urumqi to Dubai from 16,833km to 5,772 km, saving precious time and making goods and commodities cost-effective.
A recent headline in The Express Tribune said it all: “Khawaja Asif looks heavenward” — invoking God’s name to decrease load-shedding, which is rampant across the country. Will the population remain patient and not get restive at the present widespread power shortages? Not only unable, but also incapable of performing both his given tasks of being the power czar and the defence minister, what else can he do except pray to the heavens? He has good federal secretaries — consummate bureaucrat Nargis Sethi is a real plus for the water and power ministry for all the right reasons, while Lieutenant-General (retd) Asif Yasin, who will retire soon, has been excellent in the defence ministry. Unfortunately, the workload is such that even if the minister in-charge was an outstanding professional, totally committed to his task, it would be humanely impossible for one individual to give both the time and effort necessary. Neither committed nor competent, Khawaja Asif does not enjoy a reputation of getting things done; to expect miracles from him to decrease load-shedding is asking for the moon.
Heavens will not fall if Mian Sahib sheds him of one of his (Asif’s) two ministries. Not given to principles, Khawaja Asif has suddenly been ‘born again’ in a vain attempt to impress upon the khakis that whatever he said — badmouthing and spreading venom against the uniform for over a decade — was now ‘inoperative’ and should be forgotten. Mian Sahib needs to curb his trusted aides or face disastrous consequences. Let Khawaja Asif keep on invoking God’s name, as we must all do, if he should stay on in the water and power ministry.
In the meantime kindly let Nargis Sethi get on with the job of making the Mian Sahib-contrived ‘Chinese Highway to Energy Heaven’ real for the people of Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (15)
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If the present government makes an issue of Circular debt as a cause of power shortage, then it is befooling the entire nation. The present government could have ended the circular debt issue by the 1.5 billion dollars (or more) it has received from it's best brotherly friends, and Mr. Sehgal knows this yet does not suggest.
As always a very well defined piece laid down with appropriate facts and figures. Power/ energy crisis are crucial issues confronting Pakistan and its citizens and what I admire about Mr.Sehgal is that he highlights the topics much needed to be discussed.
Pakistan has the huge advantage of its strong friendship with China and the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has taken good advantage of that. In Bangladesh, where I am from, most of our power plants are made by Chinese firms. We made the mistake of not working on building a strong relationship with China but out present government is now trying to make amends. Our government too is riddled with corruption and weaknesses. We condemn all that. However, Ikram Sehgal's column has made me realize that there is no use is just lamenting over the negatives, There is a silver lining to the darkest cloud and we should be big enough to see that. Realistically, he continues to berate the government for having these corrupt criminals in powerful positions. Let's hope someone in the power hierarchy reads his column and decides, enough is enough! I can only hope for the sake of South Asian growth that countries like ours emerge from mismanagement and corruption to prove the potential of the people.
wonderful that Khawja asif invoked God to decrease load , now if for answer to our prayers ALLAH Taala respond , as first step remove PMLn and bring inplace an honest govt ,by whose efforts we get bigli,
1) Chinese have offered India heavy investments in Telecom, nuclear energy, solar, hydel power plants, railways, sewage treatment, tunnel buildings, etc A Chinese working group offered to finance nearlys 30 % of the $1trillion targeted investment in infrastructure 05-Year Plan (2012-17) to the tune of about $300 billion. This is 10 times more than offered to Pakistan considering china foreign reserves of around 3.8 trillion dollars. Comparing Chinese investment in India PMLN achievement is nothing.
2) PMLN has spent one year still there are lost what to do. Coal fired plants can be functional within a year why they failed because PMLN is a business oriented party all their decisions revolve on personal interests; in this context even they brought a business man Governor from UK.
3)Shahbaz was CM during last PPP regime and Nawaz was opposition leader; what is their contribution? They only come to make money and run away.
4) Pakistan has 6th largest coal reserves of the world and electricity can be provided free using coal like Saudia, kuwait they charge very less amount BUT PMLN as mentioned is a business party their supreme interest is to enhance business hence again they are awarding coal contracts to private sector.
5) PMLN made LNG deal with Qatar 04 times expensive than offered rates by IRAN and Russia.
Ikram Sehgal is not a new face nor his comments change with changing tides. People of my generation, who are in their mid-fifties, have seen huge transformations in our national politics. Having been an ardent reader from early days, I follow the columns of various writers in a number of newspaper. Not only have I found Mr. Sehgal's views highly objective, rational and factual but more importantly, in the national interest; He has touched upon an issue which is close to everyone's heart. We have been brought to a state where we are thankful for even few hours of electricity. Where is Shahbaz Sharif setting his camp office this time! I think Mr. Sehgal was more than generous for appreciating some measures taken by N government. They promised, and it is on record that they would eliminate load shedding within one year. What Mr. Sehgal suggests carries weight. Independent minister and a capable one is required for Water & Power ministry. It is not the within the capabilities of Kh Asif or Abid Sher Ali. I am surprised why Santayana felt so bad that instead of criticising the comments, the person was attacked that too without dignity. I would urge Mr. Sehgal to keep up the good work and leave the slanderers to their nefarious games.
Power shortages are and will stay the norm as long a proper system of collecting bills is not put in place, power theft is dealt with and cheap power is generated. This govt and all its predecessors always look to short term solutions to avoid political damage, the problem just compounds each year.
I read this article with great interest as our country, Bangladesh, is equally assailed with power shortages and inefficient persons in charge of the sector. However, I note with interest that at least Pakistan's Prime Minister is taking some pragmatic steps. Despite inefficient persons in his cabinet, I think his looking East (China), rather than simply upwards at the Heavens, is a tangible endeavor to solve the problems that prevail. I think the columnist Ikram Sehgal is right in giving credit where due and criticizing where necessary. He gives bricks and bouquets as he sees befitting -- bricks for the likes of Khwaja Asif and bouquets for Prime Minister Sharif's reaching to China for palpable solutions. Most columnists, both in Pakistan and Bangladesh, either are on a hero worship trip or paint black anything the government does. It was refreshing to see a matured and balanced outlook...
Can the author with his "Big Words" provide any insight as to how load shedding can be taken care of ? It's very easy to sit back and write articles.
Ikram Seghal's articles are objective, incisive and brutally frank on all issues that he touches upon. This piece is also like most other pieces. How does Santayana see flattery in it eludes my understanding. Although the ruling party appears clueless on attempting to resolve many problems that the country faces, yet the effort to resolve the crippling energy crisis by involving Chinese government is a very prudent step and deserves appreciation. All that is needed to be done in this direction is to allow them to work in as convenient a manner as is possible by removing the bottlenecks of all types, the most irksome being Mr. Khawaja Asif and his cohorts. While the PM has done a good job in placing Ms. Nargis Sethi as secretary in the ministry he should also provide her an enabling environment to do her job as suggested by Mr. Ikram Seghal. Santayana and other members of her clan need to understand that objectivity does not necessarily mean pointless criticism (unless someone is paid to do so), credit must be given where it is due, be it the PPP, the PML or Musharraf. Similarly, criticism should also be done when needed with a positive intent of improving the things that need to be put right.Is some paying people like Santayana to tar the reputation of an honourable and highly respected man of letters? The aspect deserves an inquiry.
@santayana: Stop getting personal and be a better critic if you find any fact and figures wrong post it with supporting links to prove your point the problem with us as a nation is that we can't stay without pulling someone leg who is doing well for our nation.
@Santayana: As I come across the Ikram Sehgal's article this morning, like always see the first comment as negative and more or less personal rather to be related with the stuff he wrote. This article is very informative and defined by numbers. I did a little bit of research on media personals. Here is the output of my research, I'm unable to find a single govt. related contract associated with Ikram Sehgal or his businesses in Pakistan nor he had been favored by any regime for browine points for any sort of economic interests.
Santayana are you being paid to talk negative about Ikram Sehgal?
Mr. Sehgal seems to think that all the work done by PMLN in the power sector is great but the minister is not! Although Kh. Asif may have his hands full and it will not be a bad idea to take some load off, but taking all the credit away is unfair.
The reason I read Ikram Sehgal's opinion pieces is that he demonstrates sharp intellect and provides sufficient factual data to support any of his opinions / arguments. In fact I do not know where else a person residing outside the Country can obtain a well focused and objective snapshot of an issue of national significance. What I find in this situation is that but for the Grace of God and the Help of China, we would be in very dire straights indeed.
The very least that can be done is to allow them to work in as frictionless a manner as possible. The fact that the two essential ministries of Defence and Water/Power are headed by the same political worthy is a matter for thought as even Superman would find his plate full tending to even one of these assignments under present circumstances. How pointing out the blatantly obvious can be equated by anyone to furthering one's own business interests is something beyond my comprehension. Furthering national interests, yes.
Sir, you take the cake in Flattery.While there is some substance in your article regarding the hard work put in by Sharifs in reviving the economy,i remember you praising Mushraff to high heaven.May be it has to do with protecting your business interests.It is sad that people like you are allowed to make a mockery of news services by letting people like you score brownie points to further your economic interests.