Patriotic_Pakistani
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Answering Your Top 3 Questions - IVShare
Today at 12:36am
Question: Which political organization supports your vision?
Answer: Pasdar-e-Pakistan is a grassroots organization of my supporters. The Pasdars have been holding seminars, conventions, press conferences and public demonstrations on issues of national concern. They are engaged in building support all over Pakistan and beyond. As this organization expands its membership of registered supporters, I urge you to offer your support to it.
For further information, please contact:
info@pasdar-e-pakistan.org
Phone: +92 51 2814270
Or visit: Pasdar-e-Pakistan Official Website
Question: Why was the energy sector neglected? Why could Kalabagh Dam not be built?
Answer: It is not correct to say that the Energy Sector was neglected during my tenure. Energy Sector was given the high priority it warranted. Facts which are visible on ground are being distorted or misinterpreted, either on purpose or due to lack of knowledge. Some pertinent details are given below for your reference:
Till 2002 we were surplus in electricity by up to 1,200 MW due to poor economic conditions and negligible development in Pakistan throughout the 90s. Under contractual obligations, we had to pay through our nose to IPPs for this excess power that we could not utilize.
From 2002 onwards our industry grew in double figures at about 15% annually. There was tremendous economic/commercial activity and about 125,000 villages were electrified in 6 years (as opposed to the 1,500 villages per year in the past). All this growth put pressure on our electricity generation capacity.
However alongside this demand surge, total generation capacity between 2002 and 2007 was increased by about 3,700MW. This was the reason why despite development, power shortages and loadsheding were unknown until late 2007.
This was no mean achievement. I agree that we should have moved even faster to keep pace with the unprecedented upsurge in economy and rapid industrialization in the country. However we need to understand that the installation of generation capacity has to be balanced with the actual demand of the users. Otherwise, the imbalance places a heavy and avoidable pressure on the exchequer which has to pay power producers for their idle capacity.
The demand by 2008 had grown unprecedentedly by 5,000MW. Therefore we suffered a total shortfall of about 1,300MW in spite of the additional 3,700MW that were added to the national grid. We initiated projects to meet even this shortfall that are coming on line now (Chichonkimalian-450MW, Nandipur-450MW, Chashma Power Plant-350MW).
Today, the main problem being faced by the public is not due to deficiency of power but an inability to utilise 18,000MW of existing electricity production capacity. This is due to reduction in industrial/commercial activity and a circular debt problem whereby the power generators have reduced generation for not having their bills paid.
It is indeed my regret that Kalabagh dam could not be started. I and my team tried our level best to take both the provinces of NWFP and Sindh along towards agreeing to construct Kalabagh. I spoke out in public gatherings and all my media interactions in order to evolve a consensus in support for the Kalabagh Dam. I constituted a political committee (headed by Mr. Nisar Memon), and a high powered Technical Committee comprising experts in this field from all the provinces under the Chairmanship of an expert of high standing (Mr. ANG Abbassi). The Planning Commission kept adequate allocation to commence construction of the Kalabagh Dam in the PSDP. Unfortunately the project was so misunderstood, politicized and riddled with suspicions, particularly in Sindh, that all political leaders became vehemently against it. Inaction was on account of advice of political leaders. We however did initiate the Bhasha Dam, which is a reasonable substitute.
Question: Why had you become a soft target in the Media? What is your opinion about the role of media in Pakistan?
Answer: Some say I am a victim of my own creation. I am a strong believer in freedom of the print and electronic media. It was this strong conviction which led me to open up the electronic media to the private sector and remove all shades of restrictions on the print media, bringing to fruition, the long struggle of the media for freedom. However, I did not believe in currying favours to get a favourable response from the media. Maybe I myself and my team were not media savvy. Our opponents used all means abundantly available to them to influence the media.
I have always been and continue to be very clear about the role of the media. It must be independent and free. However with freedom they must also show responsibility towards national interests. I expect them to hold governments accountable and responsible for their misdeeds in a fair and just manner. They must not distort realities and create misperceptions. At the end of the day they must ensure that the true reality and honesty win over lies, corruption and deceit. Media has a vital role to play in Pakistan. I hope that with the passage of time, the media will institute a system of internal accountability and adhere to the norms considered by it to be appropriate.
Today at 12:36am
Question: Which political organization supports your vision?
Answer: Pasdar-e-Pakistan is a grassroots organization of my supporters. The Pasdars have been holding seminars, conventions, press conferences and public demonstrations on issues of national concern. They are engaged in building support all over Pakistan and beyond. As this organization expands its membership of registered supporters, I urge you to offer your support to it.
For further information, please contact:
info@pasdar-e-pakistan.org
Phone: +92 51 2814270
Or visit: Pasdar-e-Pakistan Official Website
Question: Why was the energy sector neglected? Why could Kalabagh Dam not be built?
Answer: It is not correct to say that the Energy Sector was neglected during my tenure. Energy Sector was given the high priority it warranted. Facts which are visible on ground are being distorted or misinterpreted, either on purpose or due to lack of knowledge. Some pertinent details are given below for your reference:
Till 2002 we were surplus in electricity by up to 1,200 MW due to poor economic conditions and negligible development in Pakistan throughout the 90s. Under contractual obligations, we had to pay through our nose to IPPs for this excess power that we could not utilize.
From 2002 onwards our industry grew in double figures at about 15% annually. There was tremendous economic/commercial activity and about 125,000 villages were electrified in 6 years (as opposed to the 1,500 villages per year in the past). All this growth put pressure on our electricity generation capacity.
However alongside this demand surge, total generation capacity between 2002 and 2007 was increased by about 3,700MW. This was the reason why despite development, power shortages and loadsheding were unknown until late 2007.
This was no mean achievement. I agree that we should have moved even faster to keep pace with the unprecedented upsurge in economy and rapid industrialization in the country. However we need to understand that the installation of generation capacity has to be balanced with the actual demand of the users. Otherwise, the imbalance places a heavy and avoidable pressure on the exchequer which has to pay power producers for their idle capacity.
The demand by 2008 had grown unprecedentedly by 5,000MW. Therefore we suffered a total shortfall of about 1,300MW in spite of the additional 3,700MW that were added to the national grid. We initiated projects to meet even this shortfall that are coming on line now (Chichonkimalian-450MW, Nandipur-450MW, Chashma Power Plant-350MW).
Today, the main problem being faced by the public is not due to deficiency of power but an inability to utilise 18,000MW of existing electricity production capacity. This is due to reduction in industrial/commercial activity and a circular debt problem whereby the power generators have reduced generation for not having their bills paid.
It is indeed my regret that Kalabagh dam could not be started. I and my team tried our level best to take both the provinces of NWFP and Sindh along towards agreeing to construct Kalabagh. I spoke out in public gatherings and all my media interactions in order to evolve a consensus in support for the Kalabagh Dam. I constituted a political committee (headed by Mr. Nisar Memon), and a high powered Technical Committee comprising experts in this field from all the provinces under the Chairmanship of an expert of high standing (Mr. ANG Abbassi). The Planning Commission kept adequate allocation to commence construction of the Kalabagh Dam in the PSDP. Unfortunately the project was so misunderstood, politicized and riddled with suspicions, particularly in Sindh, that all political leaders became vehemently against it. Inaction was on account of advice of political leaders. We however did initiate the Bhasha Dam, which is a reasonable substitute.
Question: Why had you become a soft target in the Media? What is your opinion about the role of media in Pakistan?
Answer: Some say I am a victim of my own creation. I am a strong believer in freedom of the print and electronic media. It was this strong conviction which led me to open up the electronic media to the private sector and remove all shades of restrictions on the print media, bringing to fruition, the long struggle of the media for freedom. However, I did not believe in currying favours to get a favourable response from the media. Maybe I myself and my team were not media savvy. Our opponents used all means abundantly available to them to influence the media.
I have always been and continue to be very clear about the role of the media. It must be independent and free. However with freedom they must also show responsibility towards national interests. I expect them to hold governments accountable and responsible for their misdeeds in a fair and just manner. They must not distort realities and create misperceptions. At the end of the day they must ensure that the true reality and honesty win over lies, corruption and deceit. Media has a vital role to play in Pakistan. I hope that with the passage of time, the media will institute a system of internal accountability and adhere to the norms considered by it to be appropriate.
