ISLAMABAD: For Pakistan’s new government, the biggest challenge isn’t taming the many militant groups that mount near daily attacks across the country.
“Our No 1 challenge is energy,” Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan’s new Minister for Water and Power, tells TIME.
“It’s a bigger challenge than even terrorism.” While Taliban attacks have claimed the lives of tens of thousands, and destroyed the livelihoods of many more, Pakistan’s notorious power outages that last up to 22 hours a day directly affect over 180 million people.
“Their personal lives, their work lives, the lives of their children,” adds Khawaja. “Everything is affected.” At the moment, Pakistan is only able to produce around half of the electricity it requires. And the economic cost each year is over $10bn, shaving around a third off the growth rate.
In the May general elections, electricity was the top voting issue. The government of President Asif Ali Zardari was punished for failing to resolve the problem. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s party successfully rode a wave of popular anger at the power cuts, vowing to create a ‘bright Pakistan.’
Since the election, voters have demonstrated their undimmed rage as a rash of violent riots broke out across the country.
In the industrial town of Faisalabad, where the crisis has shut down several factories, a group of young boys was seen attacking the local electricity company’s offices with sticks and bricks. In retaliation, the police raided their homes, tearing down doors and beating terrified occupants inside.
Only the wealthiest are inured from the crisis. Generators are now a status symbol in Pakistan. They groan loudly, like a small plane struggling to take flight. To operate multiple air conditioners for over 12 hours a day can cost as much as rent.
The US has spent nearly $250m on hiring expert consultants and enhancing infrastructure. The improvements, including new turbines for a major dam, are said to have added 900 MW. But it won’t be enough to alter Islamabad’s thinking.
If Khawaja and the government succeed in easing the energy crisis, they may end up hailed as heroes. If they fail, they will likely meet the fate of their predecessors. Internews
