26.05.2013 Tackling the energy crisis
Prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif reportedly asked for assistance from Beijing for fixing Pakistan’s energy crisis in his meeting with the Chinese Premier, Li Keqiang, last week. A reference to the civil nuclear technology sector was also made during the meeting. As an astute politician, Mr Sharif also emphasised the need for investments in Pakistan’s energy sector instead of aid during this important meeting. It has also been stated by PML-N circles that a team of experts will accompany Mr Sharif during his visit to Beijing, once he takes charge of the country, to discuss proposals, which include energy-related assistance from China.
The PML-N’s election campaign centred on the energy crisis and it promised that it would lift the nation out of “darkness”. This promise and the current state of play worked well for the PML-N. Indeed, the power sector has played havoc with the economy, debilitating industry and rendering thousands jobless. Tackling the circular debt issue would be the short-term priority while the long-term and much neglected reforms in the energy sector would require swift, well-coordinated efforts by the new administration.
Where does China and other foreign powers stand in this crisis? The key expectation of the new government would be to obtain concessional oil supplies from Saudi Arabia that may help with the short-term alleviation of the structural issue. China can also surely help Pakistan through expertise and investment in the sector. Pakistan’s vast and largely untapped coal reserves can be utilised with Chinese assistance (a far more practicable idea than reliance on civil nuclear technology). Similarly, the ongoing, planned hydropower projects need to be expedited. But all these measures require a medium term for fruition. Political governments are handicapped by public pressure and the need for delivery in a short span of time.
Perhaps, the most challenging aspect of the energy sector crisis would be to cough up additional revenues from an over-committed budget to manage the circular debt. To achieve this, the new government has to introduce fiscal reforms at the earliest. The forthcoming budget, therefore, would highlight the PML-N’s intent as to how serious it is to reduce wasteful expenditures and overcome the culture of political expediency.
School van explosion
In a tragic incident, an explosion in a school van in Gujrat killed a teacher and 17 schoolchildren when the driver of the dual-fuel van switched from gas to petrol. The death of children aged between five and 15 years is heartbreaking and we cannot even imagine the pain their parents must be going through. Five of the children are reported to be in critical condition and have been sent to Lahore for treatment. Needless to say, every effort must be made to save their lives.
Moreover, this incident highlights the dire need to pay acute attention to safety standards, which seems to be missing in Pakistan, whether it is in the case of fires breaking out in buildings, or in this case, in the installation of gas cylinders in vehicles. The option to switch from gas to petrol is economical and may indeed enable not only the driver to make a living, but also the parents to be able to afford sending their children to school. However, notwithstanding the economics of using gas for cars, the least that can be done is that safety standards in installations be followed.
According to news reports, the driver of the bus has fled the scene. Indeed, he must be apprehended and the case investigated to the end. We have seen many other incidents, which have led to terrible loss of life because of negligence and carelessness. This state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue.
The incident also highlights the need for a good public transport system in the country, which adheres to all safety standards and provides a viable alternative to citizens. With the incoming government’s stress on infrastructure, we hope these issues are addressed and, more importantly, done in a well thought out manner that leaves no room for the kind of gross criminal negligence that was at display in this particular incident. What is needed is strict scrutiny of gas cylinders before they are installed in vehicles and routine checks after their installation. The lives of our citizens, especially children, are too precious to risk in such a manner.