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IPPs controversy
The only legally feasible course of action is to con-duct an authentic audit of all IPPs about their ser-viceability and capability to deliver the capacity which they claim. Any deviation or lack of capabil-ity, such as equipment being not according to stan-dards, or able to produce electricity as per their de-clared capacity, can be legally suspended and can-celled. Will this be done, given the Conflicts of Interest of the government and bureaucracy etc, is the question that should be raised. This is not being done. Instead the line given by the likes of Malik Riaz is being followed by a few on TV channels.
Unfortunately, most of the electronic media intentionally indulges in sensationalism. In 2018, 2019, and 2020, Omar Ayub served as the Minister for Power and Water, while Nadeem Babar was an Advisor to the Prime Minister. They, along with the Federal Secretary for Power, were involved in re-newing contracts of IPPs whose PPA agreements had matured. Every Federal Secretary for Power who was in charge when the Capacity Agreements were signed, without any technical audit by profes-sionally qualified engineers, is responsible. Almost all of them now reside in Canada, the US, the UK, or Dubai. MNS and AZ cannot absolve themselves from this corruption, nor can Musharraf or IK.
Omar Ayub’s father-in-law owns one IPP while his maternal grandfather /nana’s Habibullah group owns 4 IPPs. PM IK’s Advisor Nadeem Babar, who was an investment banker and his qualifications are ms civil engineering, owns two IPPs. In essence PM IK as far as IPPs are concerned followed the same policies that PMLN, PPP and Musharraf fol-lowed.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
The crisis
in Makran
The Makran region of Balochistan is currently em-broiled in a severe crisis, triggered by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s (BYC) recent national gather-ing in Gwadar. This event has unleashed a wave of protests and strikes throughout Balochistan, with the government’s response exacerbating the situation rather than alleviating it.
In a draconian move, the authorities shut down mobile networks and sealed off all roads leading to the Makran region. These actions, ostensibly taken to control the situation, have instead plunged Makran into chaos. The region now faces an acute shortage of food and essential supplies, with the road blockade choking off all trade and transport routes. The shutdown of mobile networks has only compounded the crisis, cutting off a critical line of communication and leaving the people isolated and desperate.
The economic impact has been devastating. Businesses and banks have been forced to close, leaving many without income or access to essential financial services. The livelihoods of daily wage earners and small business owners are hanging by a thread. The government’s response—or lack thereof—under the leadership of Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has been nothing short of negligent. There has been no meaningful attempt to engage with the BYC or address the legitimate grievances of the protestors. Instead, the administration has displayed a shocking level of apathy and incompe-tence, failing to take decisive action to resolve the crisis.
GULAB UMID
Turbat
Fresh
graduates
My topic may seem very common, but I’ve long wanted to write this, and today, I am sharing my personal experience with the readers. As a fresh graduate, I have left my hometown in search of employment. Although I come from an affluent family who could support me, the desire to achieve something on my own and earn my own mon-ey drove me to move to a bigger city.
I anticipated a straightforward transition: I would move, live in a hostel, drop off my CV, and secure a job within a month. Unfortunately, I was mistaken. During univer-sity, I focused solely on my degree and CGPA, unaware that balancing work and study was essential. After graduating, I found myself rejected at every interview due to lack of experience. Despite my qualifications, I had to accept any job offer, even those unrelated to my field, just to gain some experience.
It’s frustrating that new graduates often face such challenges. We wait years for gov-ernment job tests and results, and by the time opportunities arise, students have for-gotten about the test. For instance, at my university, a new billing system was intro-duced, and when I sought assistance at the admissions office, I was surprised to find that none of the employees knew how to use the new online payment system. This reflects a broader issue in our system, where age and experience are prioritized over education. Students struggle to balance earning and learning. We should stop judging candidates solely based on their marks and lack of experience. Instead, we need to provide op-portunities for the new generation, making employment more accessible. This ap-proach would enrich our economy and better serve our country.
Asiya Qadir
Karachi
