19-10-2014

Power reshuffle

RECENT changes in the power sector, arguably one of the most crucial areas in need of major reform, have led to much debate. A new face has been nominated for the post of secretary, water and power. Outgoing secretary Nargis Sethi had taken up the challenge after efficiently managing some very senior federal government posts. Her tough talk led many to believe she would ensure that the power bureaucracy delivered results, particularly where improving recoveries and raising ef ficiencies were concerned. The sheer force of confidence that Ms Sethi brought with her were assets -up to a point. But ultimately, the intrigues of the inept in the power bureaucracy proved stronger than her willpower, and the results of the pressure exerted by her to accelerate recoveries led to an overbilling scandal, which apparently played a major role in her premature removal. The episode goes to show that tough talk is not enough to deal with the power bureaucracy. What is needed is a calmer, more methodical approach to reform the incentive structure that makes the bureaucracy tick.

Her replacement is Younus Dagha, a relatively newer face at the top. Mr Dagha belongs to the DMG group from 1985 and has spent most of his career in service to the provincial government of Sindh.

His work in the federal government is only a few years old, and most it is far removed from the type of posts around which powerful politics revolve. But Mr Dagha has a reputation as a man who gets things done without getting his hands dirty. The road ahead for him is treacherous, and his relative inexperience in dealing with high-pressure posts in close proximity to political power could be as much of an asset as a liability. Tackling political pressure, the intrigues of the power bureaucracy and pressure from the IPPs may well take its usual toll.

As an example, consider how Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif recently embarrassed himself and a number of others by announcing that Nepra, the supposedly independent regulator, had rejected a petition filed by the PTI even before Nepra had said anything about the matter. The Nepra chief, who happens to be related to the minister, was put in the position of having to deny that a decision had been made on that petition. Khawaja Asif`s announcement served to reinforce the impression held by many that family ties between the minister and the regulator`s chief had led the latter to subordinate his professional obligations to the political priorities of the minister. It remains to be seen how Mr Dagha will respond to this sort of pressure, especially considering he has a track record of not obliging political interference. To be successful, he will need to keep politics at bay, not become overconfident, and chart out a methodical and deliberate path of reform. No doubt this is a daunting job, but perhaps the best bet is to entrust it to a new face.

Ebola danger

THE level of panic that has ensued in several developed countries regarding the threat of Ebola there is perhaps unnecessary given that they are well equipped to contain the virus. But what the dreaded disease has wrought in the poor countries of western Africa is horrifying, with nearly 4,500 people dead and already stressed healthcare infrastructures brought to the point of collapse. Unfortunately, several developing countries are too sanguine about the risk. Consider the case of Pakistan: we have a far from adequate healthcare infrastructure one that is plagued by inefficiencies, mismanagement and resource and manpower shortages. It has not kept pace with the needs of a burgeoning and increasingly poor population, and even basics such as maternal and child health are not covered. The medical needs of millions of people go unmet, and hundreds of thousands of people die of preventable illnesses. Were something like the Ebola virus to strike here, the outcome would be nothing short of catastrophic, especially in view of the high population and urban density rates.

It is not that the government is not alive to the danger, but that the protective measures being talked about are far from sufficient and certainly far from showing the sort of urgency that is warranted.

On Friday, it was announced that a counter had been set up at the Islamabad airport to screen travellers from western Africa, and bureaucratic moves such as appointing focal persons, etc, had been taken. But what about the country`s other international airports? What about travellers entering through the ports and land borders? What about the fact that although international passengers already fill out a health card, these cards are rarely if ever scanned and can usually be found littering the premises? The state`s utter inability to enforce even its own decisions in terms of healthcare can be gauged from the promises made about polio. Of ficialdom claimed to have set up mechanisms at airports to screen out passengers without vaccination certificates, but in reality thousands of people are travelling unchecked. As with polio, the introduction of Ebola is a risk Pakistan can simply not afford to take. It seems to be failing in the former case; will it be the same with the latter?

Woes of journalists

IT is a sad reflection on a country when those who are at the vanguard of all popular causes are found struggling to secure a few basics for themselves. Journalists in Pakistan have been demanding protection and investigation of cases of violence against them. Worse, they have been forced to call for payment of compensation to the families of journalists killed in pursuance of their work. There has been little of ficial response to these demands.

One of the most dangerous places for journalists anywhere, Pakistan is regretfully also characterised by apathy on the part of those in power. Estimates show more than 40 journalists have been killed in conflict-ridden Balochistan alone over the last five years. And there have been instances elsewhere in which media persons have been targeted. But nothing has emerged to suggest that the authorities are alarmed. Instead, journalists continue to be exposed to ever greater danger in the presence of a state that is unable to offer much in terms of protection and because of cut-throat competition among their employers.

Journalists in Pakistan have to thus fight on many fronts. They are up against the perpetrators of violence, they are striving to make the state wake up to its responsibility of providing security and they have to evolve a professional scheme that allows them to carry out their duties with minimum risk. There has been some effort towards these ends but no real results. Lately, journalists have managed to get the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly to write to the prime minister, urging the government to give compensation to the families of Balochistan-based journalists who have died in targeted killings. Also, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists on Friday launched a weeklong black ribbon campaign against some recent killings. This is strong enough protest for anyone inclined to listen but it can be made more potent by the inclusion of a greater number of journalists. The groupings in the ranks are harming the cause which is common to all journalists.