Tall talk of ending load shedding but…
Every step taken by the ruling party at this juncture to address lingering national issues is inextricably linked to the general elections due next year. So far it has been a mighty lean performance on all fronts in four years. The PML-N swept into power in 2013 on two main planks, eliminating terrorism and ending that unendurable curse, around the year load shedding. Regarding terrorism, the indecisive leadership was literally dragged into Operation Zarb-e-Azb as it favoured words with the Taliban rather than blows. And today, the National Action Plan remains largely sidelined due to the rulers’ fearful hesitation, with the free movement of Ranger personnel of Operation Radd ul Fasaad severely curtailed in the Punjab.
One senior PML-N leader put on quite a ‘road show’ over the energy crisis in 2013 election campaign, making impossible promises to credulous voters, and holding meetings in summer heat at the Minar-e-Pakistan with hand-held fans to rub it in to the equally inept PPP government. But the sun had hardly turned sultry this year, when load shedding, especially of the depressing unscheduled variation, started with a vengeance. So, it was back to business as usual, with power vanishing for long hours, and violent protests mounting as the temperature continued to soar.
Keenly aware of the ominous political implications, the Prime Minister convened a high level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy on Monday, attended by the Ministers of Finance, Water and Power, Planning, the Punjab Chief Minister, and senior bureaucrats. Since the usual lame excuses, nauseatingly trotted out year after year, of an early summer (remember global warming?) or low water levels in reservoirs, no longer convince or impress people (now voters), an optimistic PM promised some present relief, inducting 5710 mw by end 2017, 8,000 mw by June 2018, early completion of projects, better coordination among energy-related departments, all these culminating in a load shedding-free Pakistan, which he termed his number one priority. The first crucial test has already arrived this April, with temperatures and tempers high and patience low.
