UNTIL very recently, the nation had once again been witnessing a repeat of the last six years of long hours of power cuts hampering both life and the economy. The situation has been saved for the moment with the prime minister stepping in with gas fuel and Rs25 billion for Pakistan State Oil.

Whatever the power tsars may say, the fact is that the earlier situation may resurface anytime. It is unfortunate that sectoral experts are nowhere to be seen. The crisis has not lessened at all, while comparatively cheaper generation, which, it is claimed, is in the pipeline, is not likely to manifest itself too soon.

Meanwhile, the vast spoils, reaped from the political economy of the power sector, have added to the existing complications. The undisciplined Pakistani power consumer is also a huge threat to a possible revival of the system. The endemic theft of energy (both electricity and gas) is a pointer of this and the delay in promulgating a truly powerful electricity act (drafted five years ago) speaks volumes for the kind of importance accorded to this sensitive issue by our managers. Besides, roving ministers can never replace field officers backed by strong laws.

But the situation can be saved through gaining access to power utility experts, who are presently missing. The earlier Wapda-honed experts have nearly all retired from or have left the water and power authority. Existing human resources have either been nurtured in isolation by power distribution companies, or have only superficial experience.

A power sector advisory committee is essential.

The situation is further compounded by political polarisation, with big-ticket defaulters, including provincial governments, simply refusing to pay up. The federal government only clears its bills once in a while. The general public thus also joins this bandwagon of defaulters.

Incidentally, the presently stalled recovery campaign and the political flares it has ignited could have been better managed in 2013. The FIA and other agencies had then been erroneously tasked with overseeing this activity.

The situation can be saved through the setting up of a power-sector advisory committee that is comprised of experts who understand the entire spectrum of power development. The committee’s terms of reference may include the preparation of an initial diagnosis of the power sector and of a broad outline of how best to operate the system, besides structuring a road map for the power sector’s revival with set milestones and a definite timeline.

It must also be responsible for preparing a security plan for the sector to counter the fallout of the state’s weakening writ and for devising ways and means to stop political appointments and intervention in the sector as well as threats posed by customer indiscipline.

The committee’s advice must be given to the Ministry of Water and Power, as well as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority and the corporatised entities of the power sector; its advice must also cater for weekly course adjustments as required to be implemented by various stakeholders. It must keep a thorough check on existing policies and prepare a long-term strategy.

The committee may give its opinion on the viability and economics of ending load-shedding soon — especially when fully eliminating load-shedding is not economically feasible under current conditions. Because of the present crisis, one which past governments have also had to face, the economy is in the doldrums.

The committee would need to meet four times a month and issue an equal number of recommendations for implementation. The committee should be responsible to the prime minister alone.

Such a committee would be easy to formulate once experienced power-sector practitioners and professionals who have headed sectoral entities are identified. The least number of experts on the committee has to be six, and perhaps the maximum should be eight.

The committee would place power-sector operations under its magnifying glass and then send advice to the appropriate quarters to correct flawed operations. However, the committee would not be executive in nature. Its sole task should be to give advice but the latter itself should be made binding on stakeholders, and the Prime Minister’s Secretariat should take to task errant entities.

At the moment, it would perhaps be best if the committee were to have at least a one-year mandate; thereafter its composition and tenure should be based on its efficacy. Relevant ministries and other entities should not take such a committee’s work or advice as encroachment on their turf as the committee’s aim would be to support them in their hour of need, no more.

On the other hand, if this committee is not formed on an immediate basis, the power sector would keep on floundering and consequently the energy crises may never be contained.

The writer is president, Institution of Electrical & Electronics Engineers Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2014