THIS is with reference to the report ‘27 power plants out of order, Shehbaz told’ (April 15) according to which the prime minister was informed about the 27 dormant power plants that have fallen into desuetude owing to the lack of fuel they need.

In parliament, the prime minister spoke fervently about the dwindling power-generating capacity of the country and blamed the previous government for showing little interest in surmounting an obstacle as big as the energy crisis.

With the summer already having set in, the days ahead are going to be long; both physically and metaphorically. Loadshedding and power breakdowns are most likely to make life miserable for one and all. Besides, industrial activity will also be severely hampered.

Apart from infrastructure projects, the Chinese have been building power plants for us as part of development plans under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), but nothing seems to be working and everything seems otiose in our context. Our own lack of direction is killing us.

In the interior of Sindh, the plight of people is already pathetic and the summer peak is still a couple of months away. In Nawabshah, people hardly get electricity supply for six to seven hours per day. This is unbelievable, but true.

Considering the fact that Nawabshah recorded the highest temperature among Pakistani cities last year, the misery lying in the days, weeks and months ahead will surely take its toll on people’s mental health.

Blame whoever he wants to blame, but the prime minister and his government must deliver on this front if they hope to ever come to power again. This is a critical domain which affects the common man and the industrialists alike. Do it for industrialists’ sake, but do it. Please!

Taha Muneer
Nawabshah

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2022