State Minister for Petroleum Musaddiq Malik has warned of gas loadshedding in winter, and the continuing of power loadsheding in summer, because liquefied natural gas (LNG) has become expensive. Senator Malik should get credit for frankness, but does not solve the basic problem of the Pakistani people who have got to swelter in summers and freeze in winters. Pakistan is unable to accept bids for LNG cargos in winter, because the price of LNG has gone up from $4 to over $400 per unit. LNG prices have gone up through the roof because of the Russia-Ukraine war, which has seen European counties, previously reliant on Russian gas, now scouring the world for LNG, and in effect pricing Pakistan out of the market. Getting LNG at any price might sound good, but would mean that alternatives, like buying stocks of furnace oil, would be foregone.
The Russia-Ukraine War is not going to go away any time soon, and thus has to be accepted as the new reality. The reliance on hydel power, seems misplaced, as it depends on monsoons that have not yet arrived, and which climate change is making even more problematic. Like the war, climate change is not going to go away. Even the activities within the sphere of human control, have been left to their fate. It is no good to say that the crises people are facing are because of the landmines laid by the previous government; the problem is that the longevity of the government is doubtful; more to the point, whatever policy it makes will be reversed by its successor.
The transition for the PTI to the coalition is a case in point. No one knows whether the present government will be around in winter, or next summer, or whether elections will have been held, and a replacement in place. The present government seems to wish to escape the present crises by throwing the blame for them on its predecessor, which does not solve the problem of either industry or the common man. Dr Malik did say that there will be some improvement after July 15, but this is another of the succeeding dates given by the government. It should realize that it cannot kick this particular can down the road any further, or for much longer. The government knows that climate change will cause a later winter, and an earlier summer next year as well. It must make provisions for next year while assuming that the twin crises, of the war and climate change, will still be there.
