ELECTRICITY shortage is costing people their jobs and businesses, severely degrading their financial health. Its shortage has virtually deteriorated their lives.

People are taking to the streets and burning tyres to register their anguish.

The government has repeatedly failed to live up to its promises. Billions of dollars spent on private power producers haven’t made an iota of difference towards the availability of electricity.

The Planning Commission of Pakistan reportedly wants to shelf the Thar Coal Project. It is reported that a member of the Planning Commission has held back funds on the grounds that the project is impracticable and risky.

This is what they have learnt when Dr Samar Mubarak Mand and his team have already gasified coal using indigenous technology, and blue flames can be seen by anybody visiting the Thar Coal site. One can smell maleficent intent in the whole affair.

The nation trusts Dr Mand more in comparison to any of the politicians. He was a member of the team that vindicated the nation by producing a nuclear device.

The people of Pakistan trust his judgment more than they do anyone else’s. It will be in the fitness of things for the government to release the funds and give a free hand to the esteemed doctor to prove his claim.

ABDUL REHMAN Rawalpindi