THIS refers to report that our minister will visit India to negotiate on acquiring electricity from the neighbouring country. India is itself deficit in power.

Some 300 million people there are without electricity.

They have eight to 10 hours of loadshedding in the domestic sector. India will import furnace fuel oil (FFO) from the Middle East and convert it into power and sell it to us at 20 per cent IRR.

Why can’t we import the same oil and convert ourselves and generate power at lower tariff and create employment and taxes?

Why are the prime minister and the minister for water and power so misguided and in such haste? Will India give its power at less than six cents/kwhr?

Iran can supply power at a cheaper rate but not India. It is common sense. So, Mr prime minister, please work on something that is workable. There are plenty of megawatts in the Wapda system. Days are ticking.

RAZIUDDIN Islamabad

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