The electricity crisis gripping the country has worsened over the last few weeks as the electricity shortfall hit 8,500 megawatts. Over half a dozen power plants have stopped producing power citing a lack of oil, according to recent reports.
Apart from the every-day troubles, the shortfall has also hit the economy as some of the worst affected cities are the industrial centres of the country, including Faisalabad, Sialkot and Lahore.
The provincial government and the centre have been exchanging blows and shifting blame in recent weeks on the real ‘reason’ behind the shortfall without bringing any relief to the consumers. “No-one really knows who is running the power show in the country,” an unnamed Ministry of Water and Power official has said, underlining the chaos ruling one of the biggest crises of the country at present.
While Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has “taken notice” of the power crisis and advised relevant ministries to overcome the problems, no apparent solution can be seen.
Locals in the affected areas have retorted to angry and violent protests that have seen loss of property, violence but have not been able to curtail the unprecedented loadshedding.
While the centre and province grapple in a game of politics, it is the common man who has to bear the brunt of their tactics.
What should the government do to ensure the crisis is overcome?
Who is to be blamed for the shortage?
Should people continue with their violent protests? Will they be able to divert the attention of the powers that be towards the ‘real’ problems facing the people of Pakistan?
Dawn.com invites its readers to give their comments and share their suggestions…
I have simple answer ” people are to be blamed” people of Pakistan selected their representatives in parliament. If they select the righteous people, it will change their own state. These representives are answerable to people, tax payers. People should ask them, rather then destroying properties of Pakistan. If someone in your own home is not doing things correctly, you penalize the person and never burn the house . Same is with government, you should ask your representatives elected by your vote rather then going on streets and burning your own home.
In a country where suo moto actions are the only hope, then it means the government functionary has failed to redress the people grievances. So ask your representatives and make their lives tough
These riots and people’s anger being witnessed in various parts of the country may be considered as “tip of the ice berg”. And this is the only option left to make authorities realize the what the real power is in this country. An unprecedented uprising is coming closer very fast. Lets keep the hopes high! Love you Pakistan!!!
People lived without electricity for 10,000 years. So what if Pakistanis have to live without it for another hunderd years? Because that is what it seems that Pakistan government might take to fix the problem! But do continue with your violent protests. It may not do the job earlier than hundred years, but it will certainly prevent any further delay!
First of all Pakistan can only solve it’s problems on at a time.
This issue of no electric power is where Pakistan’s people will draw the line in the sand. If there is no electric because of an oil shortage – buy more oil.
The government bureaucracy and the leaders satisfy only themselves with all their excuses.
Their is no valid excuse for government not providing electricity in the 21rst century.
Pakistanis will go to the barricades on this one.