Ever wondered, if Pakistan is the only state in this world, where politicians use one agenda for winning votes. Completely ignore that issue, when they form the government and start spending on something totally irrelevant, unneeded? When the problem gets out of control, they find temporary alternates to curb the urgency?
We saw it happen during General Pervaiz Musharraf's rule. When his government failed to bring down petroleum prices, LPG was used as an alternate to diesel and petrol for fuel consumption of vehicles. For some time, it was viewed as new booming business. Palatial, custom built gas stations emerged everywhere. It was not long after that the nation witnessed long queues at those gas stations. Waiting hours and hours to be filled. Shortage of gas, resulted in gas load shedding for the domestic users, which our country never experienced before. Problem severed so much that those majestic gas stations ended up in ruins and still remain a sight to look at and lament over pathetic planning.
Now, the current government of Mr. Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, is using the same trick. They failed to overcome electricity load shedding during their entire tenure. Now near completion of it, in the year 2017, they are reminded of their promises. Something that they vouched for - the end of electricity load shedding. Unfortunately, all that they have done is drama, in the name of projects like Quaid-e-Azam solar plant. All the tall claims of immediate provision of electricity turned out to be untrue. Load shedding continued, while the rulers, were engaged in proving themselves to be the descendants of Sher Shah Suri. Their obsession with road construction and transportation, specially the metro projects remained deplorable. The more, their opposition reminded them of problem of electricity, more forcefully they tried to divert attention to their own favourite projects like Orange train, yellow cabs, etc.
Ultimately, in the last year of their government, they were left with no option but to come up with some temporary relief, which will help them acquire votes in next elections. And apparently, it is in form of Bhikki power plant. Following the footsteps of General Musharraf, this govt has decided to use LPG, to get them out of this electricity shortage trouble. Completely negating the fact that, the nation suffered terrible gas load shedding, eight hours or more during entire winter. It was not until mid April that it stopped and by the end of same month, they have started using it for the purpose of electricity production. What will happen in winters? No gas, no electricity? It is said that the gas used for this project is imported, if it is so cheap, why domestic users have to face the shortage?
According to some reports issued in 2014, Pakistan's gas reserves will end after 20 years (2 years passed. 18 years left). With dependence on projects like Bhikki power plant for electricity, hope almost 10 more years will be reduced. So, within next 5 years, there will be no gas in our country, alongwith electricity. But who cares?
India has full control of our water supplies. Our neighbouring enemy does not have to wage an all out war on us, it can control our destiny, through water. Unleashes its flood water, saving itself, causing havoc in our country. They are building more dams, saving more water, depriving us of more. Think tanks have been warning of soon to occur water scarcity, which may result in land degradation, if new water reservoirs are not constructed.
It is indeed Almighty Allah's kindness that our country gets some good rainfall, but lack of planning and storage facilities result in regular flooding. Pakistan has remained a spectacle for the world because of this recurring disaster, yet it could not make PMLN leaders think that water was being wasted, unused. Not only that it can be saved but also used for generating electricity. Fertility of our lands, provision of drinking water and electricity shortage, there is just one solution to everything and it is building new, bigger and better dams.
This government has wasted five years of this nation, without planing for the future. Totally denied the most crucial issue of the construction of dams. By hook or crook, they may succeed in overcoming electricity loadshedding for winning next elections but consequences of their pathetic planning may push this country to even more troubled state. A government which fails to build the dams is enemy of our future generations.
PMLN government has failed miserably in solving the problems of a common Pakistani and remained busy in self gratification. They wasted Pakistan's tax payer's money on self promotion, putting their pictures and posters around the country. Do not forget their selfish acts. Do not trust their future promises, before you vote for next elections.
