Water and power, along with security, are the main problems facing the nation. The situation is not improving at a time when the minister is into his third year at the helm. — Photo by AP

I remarked on how promising it was; however, my manager remarked “Pay attention to what they are doing, not what they say.”

These words stuck and have helped on several occasions to focus on the content and look past the glossy covers. Observe carefully, and you will see that our government has made it a habit of shifting the topic, or engaging in meaningless rhetoric to deflect attention from the real issue at hand, especially when dealing with the power crisis.

Talk is aplenty, and the options on the table resemble a stand at the juma bazaar. The suggestions from experts include coal generation, hydro-electric dams, nuclear power plants, solar power, wind power, buying from foreign governments, setting up more independent power producers, upgrading the distribution network, reducing the loss in power lines crisscrossing the nation, etc. It is enough to confuse anyone, including the experts.

They may be all good suggestions but it is the responsibility of the government to evaluate these, and knit them into a solution which delivers in the short and long term. What is absent is a coherent picture which takes these suggestions from the experts and presents a believable vision; so far the picture etched has proved to be nothing but a mirage.

The honourable minister for water and power makes passionate pleas to the public to conserve energy. Such pleas are the norm at a time of crisis, and no doubt it is the duty of citizens to come together as a nation for the common good. This is especially true of nations which are at war, or suffering from economic sanctions aimed at pressuring them into some sort of international compliance.

But what is strange about the minister's plea is that it comes at a time when our nation is the recipient of international aid and sympathy. Is the former being put to good use? What is equally bewildering is the 'how' — how can a population facing hours of loadshedding everyday cut back more. Perhaps place candles in light bulb holders? Maybe this is his answer to the public protests at his ministry's inability to provide enough electricity.

Water and power, along with security, are the main problems facing the nation. The situation is not improving at a time when the minister is into his third year at the helm.

The question for any prime minister is whether he has the right team in place to handle the portfolios, and whether the nation has enough confidence in its ability to deliver. Our prime minister has taken resolute steps involving the provinces in providing plans which can be consolidated into a grand plan for action. These have resulted in a bunch of p's — planned promises to pacify the public; no proper punitive measures for principal actors in the PPP — however his measures have fallen short when it comes to providing power.

There is no doubt that problems in the energy sphere cannot be fixed quickly. If they are, the relief is usually temporary. Addressing the needs of the energy sector requires upgrading the infrastructure and properly maintaining aging plants and dams. Short-sighted governments know that taking unpopular decisions today will result in a better tomorrow, but will they still be in power to reap the benefits?

The Musharraf government did not win the debate on the Kalabagh dam, and was reluctant to cause a stir when the altercations grew. The breach of agreements on water treaties by India have not been resolved. There has been no reversal in the behaviour of our neighbour. This does not bode well for a nation dependent on agriculture and hydro-electric power generation.

We must not accept talk of a better tomorrow, unless we see the implementation of a convincing strategy backed by solid investment in the energy sector. Our volatile political landscape causes the focus to switch to high-profile stories, like the involvement of Pakistanis in international terrorism, or an imminent military operation; and those responsible for power generation are only too happy to let someone else take the heat, covering up for their own mistakes in the process.

It must be realised that federal ministries cannot simply be a reward for party stalwarts. In the end, the measure must take into account the ability to deliver to the public which put them in office. A downward spiral in services provided by key portfolios should be reflected in a change of administration.

America once warned Iraq that it would bomb it back to the dark ages if it used its chemical arsenal. We are an independent nation, and do not need a foreign power to help us back to that era, we are perfectly capable of doing it ourselves.