Given the new political face of the country that leaders and politicians, following the 18th February election results are promising us, there are many thoughts (read hopes) that come to the mind. And they wonder, whether it is fair and realistic to expect that the subject of energy availability at reasonable prices will not multiply their miseries, their woes, and their fears.
Having said this, two news items come to mind both varying in nature and content. The first one is the news report that appeared on Sunday, 24th February 2008, as a lead story saying that "Wapda to distribute 10 million energy savers for free." One was reminded of the tree plantation drives that we have had in the country, for as long as one can remember. Where have those trees, or sapling gone? The country is still short of forests, one needs to underline.
Anyway, let us look at both the trees and the forests. That is look at the short term and the long-term, wider picture with regard to energy alone. What kind of Summer will the new government be able to deliver in the country? Will the management of energy be any better or will it be dreadful and dark for that is what the privatised KESC has said very recently. I am amongst the vast majority of Karachiites, who have begun to have apprehensions about the electricity shortage this summer, which when translated into real life means a water shortage, which will have a multiplier effect on every other aspect of the quality of life that will be available.
The general impression in Karachi, at this point in time, is that if KESC cannot ensure adequate uninterrupted supplies in winter, it is best to be prepared for the summer. But prepared how? In reality, there is neither the electricity available, which I required (there is a power failure or load shedding as I write this column in the light coming from the monitor) nor is there the public realisation (read awareness) that there is a need to conserve energy in real, daily life. At home, in the office, in the commercial areas, and wherever it is possible. As a bright cynical friend of mine says that if you can have diet soft drinks or ice cream or low calorie, low fat, low sugar diets for better health, why can't people be educated about the need to live with less energy until Pakistan becomes energy self-sufficient?
But when will Pakistan become energy self-sufficient? That is the question to which we do not have any agreed answer. Only promises, and rhetoric, and we saw the distorted face of energy shortage this winter - electricity and natural gas both; and lest I overlook, there was a shortage of CNG for vehicles as well, with countrywide queues that were long and frustrating, competing with queues for atta. By the way those queues I have seen after the elections outside Utility stores in different areas. And it makes me wonder whether the Utility Stores will be faring better when the new government is installed. And let there be no doubt that the people, who have voted meaningfully for drastic systemic change, are waiting for results. And it is possibly an academic question of how long they will wait, and how long they can wait?
Back to the energy dimension. In retrospect, one is generally disappointed at the energy conservation effort in the country - and one is skeptical about the plan that Wapda has of giving free energy savers - as many as 10 million bulbs at a cost of Rs 50 million. That is a lot of money, one must understand.
Sometimes one wonders whether, with all the data and budget estimates of varied projects that are thrown at the public, it has lost interest or ability to take them any seriously, not to mention the distrust the public has of official data, governmental claims and rhetoric.
There are doubts whether the public has been educated and motivated adequately to conserve energy. Not just in homes, (all sizes) but even when it comes to the commercial areas, and shopping areas, there is no willingness to cut down on timings even slightly. Not an hour less when it comes to shop timings or switching off billboards and neon signs. That we are becoming a people given to consumerism unrestrained, is something that is a relevant, but fleeting thought here.
This Wapda plan to distribute 10 million energy savers is evidently part of the government's energy conservation policy. Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro has directed Wapda to provide these energy saving bulbs to federal, provincial governments and charitable hospitals also. Interestingly, and perhaps not surprisingly, this report also says that the Caretaker Prime Minister had complained about "bureaucracy's non cooperation" in this matter. He directed that the National Energy Conservation Policy 2006, which had been approved by the Federal Cabinet, should be "immediately implemented".
One does need to ask what has been the extent of implementation of the said policy since its approval in 2006? I guess we can imagine the answers, and let good old cynicism come to our rescue. And I am keeping my fingers crossed about the actual efficient use of energy savers, and hope that some sort of audit eye will be kept on their utilisation.
Let me refer to the second news report (from APP) that is datelined Hyderabad and has appeared in this daily on Monday, 25th February, 08, and focuses in detail saying that "Panic disorder growing fast". A noted consultant psychiatrist, Dr Darya Khan Leghari, who has observed that there is an alarming increase in the number of affected people, has said that 20 percent of patients with this medical problem are involved in committing suicide.
What is panic disorder? He says that it is a condition in which a person feels an overwhelming fright, usually without any reasonable cause. It is worth contemplating what he has said. He says "most people experience moments of anxiety and they worry about their finances, job, future uncertainty or some other issues, which results in panic disorder. It is a chronic crippling condition that could have a devastating impact on a person's family, work, and social life." And it is said that these panic attacks usually last a few seconds or a few minutes, but are terrifying in their impact. It is a medical condition, and is not getting the attention that it requires in this society, he added.
I do not know why panic disorder has been talked about so soon after the general election, whose results have been regarded as welcome good news.
Will there be more good news in the days ahead? There are so many political questions that are in the air. Of course spring is not far behind, as the weather changes. But these elections as we have realised have brought to the front, large grim, pending issues that need to be resolved, with justice, on time. What those issues and questions are we all know, for sure. The awareness that the media has brought in the last one year in particular is something that Pakistani society should acknowledge and be proud of. How the country's private media has resisted pressure and manipulation is now public knowledge.
The mandate that the Pakistanis have given courageously and fearlessly will be watched with sustained and exceptional interest - and possibly guarded as well.
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