THE energy crisis has almost paralysed normal life in different parts of the country in general and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in particular. Loadshedding of power and gas seems to be an unending problem which has added to the miseries … of the citizens. The energy crisis has led to the closure of industrial units in all cities and caused severe unemployment in all provinces. As a result the country’s economy is [failing] fast. … The government has time and again promised to take drastic steps to overcome the energy crisis but [little has] materialised. …

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has also announced spending a huge amount (Rs110 billion) on the installation of new power generation plants to overcome … excessive loadshedding … in the province. Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti is of the opinion that the Awami National Party had Rs6bn approved from the centre … in 1991 as net hydel power royalty but … successive governments did not follow up … to increase the amount.

No doubt, terrorism has plagued the entire system. … But the energy crisis is also one of the major issues which cannot be overcome overnight. … Loadshedding of power and gas has reached unbearable levels. …

Usually, January and February happen to be very harsh due to … cold [weather] in many parts of the country. On the other hand the loadshedding of natural gas has added to the public’s woes. [People] are unable to cook food and are compelled to send their children to school without breakfast. Similarly, life has become very tough in hospitals, offices, workshops, bazaars and other workplaces. In the prevailing situation it is the duty of the government to devise an effective strategy to overcome the energy crisis. ...—(Jan 31)

Selected and translated by Ali Hazrat Bacha.