My Comment: Food for thought for PTI government in KPK by Shiraz Paracha (FB Post)

My comment..!

Last weekend, I was in Lahore where power cuts (Load-shading) were terrible. I was staying near the Mall Road but even that posh area was not immune from the load-shading. Same was the situation in other parts of the city. Power cuts are severe in rural areas and in small towns. Therefore Khyber Pakhtunkhawa isn’t the only province which faces electricity shortages indeed all Pakistan is suffering because of this. 

There is little doubt in WAPDA’s incompetency and irresponsibility. PESCO staff and employees performance is also poor. They could be involved in power theft, wrong billings, line losses etc. The Provincial Government can assist the Federal Government in controlling these problems.

Under the 18th amendment provinces have the authority to sign agreements with foreign and local companies, import/purchase electricity, build power plants and dams and produce electricity from multiple sources. Power generation should be the top priority of the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Government, not protest marches. 

Currently it takes 72 months (six years) to prepare feasibility report of a hydropower project. This is a very long time. Actually, most of the time is wasted due to red tape and bureaucratic hurdles. This time period can be brought down to half easily. According to experts a hydrology report can be prepared within 24 months.

The PTI Provincial Government should focus all its energies on hydro-power projects. It has four more years during which it can start several dozen hydro-power projects. Consequently, the power crisis will be resolved. 

Political point scoring, finger pointing and street protests are not the way forward. Both governments should cooperate and come up with solutions. Pakhtunkhawa needs peace and stability for economic development more than any other province. Wisdom dictates that the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Government join hands with the Federal Government in resolving the power crisis. Dialogue and engagement with the federal government is in the interest of our province. Political disturbance and street marches may take us back to the dark day of July 5, 1977. 

Shiraz Paracha