ISLAMABAD- The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Thursday said the onset ofsummer has resulted in massive load-shedding across the country exposingserious flaws in the government’s power policy.
The tall claims of the PML-N leaders regarding eliminating power crisisfailed to materialize which can have an impact on the results of upcomingelections, it said.
PML-N leaders knew that load-shedding was an important factor in the defeatof the PPP in the previous general elections, therefore, they madeelimination of energy crisis a cornerstone of their strategy, said Dr.Murtaza Mughal, President of PEW.
However, he said, it seems difficult that the promise would be delivered asthree RLNG based power projects in Punjab with a combined capacity of 3600megawatts failed to start commercial production despite repeated extensionsin the deadline resulting in massive losses.
Similarly, Nelum-Jhelum and Tarbela extension projects with a capacity ofgenerating over 1400 megawatt also failed to provide electricity adding tothe costs.
The failure has hit LNG imports which have resulted in fines and damagesand the masses will pay the bill for the incompetence of the authorities.
Murtaza Mughal said that government tried to launch new power projectsignoring reforms and improvement in transmission and distribution systemwhich has only added billions to the circular debt and loans.
It appears that the next government will have to bear the load of themistakes of the incumbent government which is not ready to accept itsfailure and take action against those who are responsible.