By Nasir Mahmood
Pakistan's estimated population in 2011 is over 187 million making it the world's sixth most-populous country, behind Brazil and ahead of Bangladesh. During 1950-2011, Pakistan's urban population expanded over sevenfold, while the total population increased by over fourfold. In the past, the country's population had a relatively high growth rate that has, however, been moderated by declining fertility and birth rates. The population growth rate now stands at 1.6%
Dramatic social changes have led to rapid urbanization and the emergence of mega cities. During 1990-2003, Pakistan sustained its historical lead as the second most urbanized nation in South Asia with city dwellers making up 36% of its population. Furthermore, 50% of Pakistanis now reside in towns of 5,000 people or more. Pakistan has a multicultural and multi-ethnic society and hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world as well as a young population.
The worst power shortage and load shedding in response hit the country. The power requirement of country in these days is about 16500 Mega Watts (MW) but the production is down to all time low in recent times, which is just 7500 MW. In response the electricity load shedding of hours is being observed all over the country. It has increased unemployment rate in all sectors of trade and industry.
Most effected in recent times are the business people and industries, which are all, shut down due to power outages. Common people who rely on power for their living are most affected and furious, hence loads of people have hit the roads once again to remind the current government of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) about their unfulfilled promises of putting an end to electricity load shedding. The situation is worse than before, in past this country had been producing more than 14000 MW of power but now this capability is down to just 7500 MW. Recently, four of power plants, which run on oil, were reportedly idle due to stoppage of fuel provision.
This power situation is affecting the whole country and people all over Pakistan, which include cities like Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Karachi and many more have hit the roads. Instead of understanding the misery they are going through, protesters met with power and police force was used against protesters. Many protesters were beat down by the police using sticks especially in Lahore.
The point is weather still Pakistan will be given with the solution to their power needs or people will still have to live in darkness in this country in 21st century. Pakistan has got loads of natural resources, Cole is just one example, plus this country is Nuclear Power. Production of required power and much more must not be an issue of this country but the issues have to be seriously picked up by a worthy and caring administration. Current PPP administration seems to be failed till now in that. They have less time left to make things happen and give the people of Pakistan what they deserve.
Pak Rupee further depreciated against US dollar and other currencies recently. Against dollar it reached as high as 89 Rupees per dollar. In current financial year which apparently just barely started, rupee have deteriorated 3% as compared to its worth at start of year. This clearly shows the worsening economy and loss of control of current government on economy of country. In era of Pakistan Peoples Party in government economy and rupee have only seen down fall. As before current government dollar against rupee had just risen 20 Rs per dollar in more than 10 years but since Pakistan Peoples party took charge, due to mismanagement rupee had dramatically lost its worth in just 2.5 years and dollar have risen 29 Rs against the rupee. Dollar has been stable all along on constant worth but it was the rupee, which kept losing its worth.
If the basic problems of people like electricity and gas load shedding and few others are coped with, industry will again be able to run and economy may be back to positive track. Apparently yet no solid measures have been taken by current government to resolve the general public's problems like electricity/gas load shedding as well as the health, education and employment. Deteriorating rupee comes with other problems, fuel prices go high as its imported and ultimately it results in increase in inflation and unemployment rate. This is time to take solid measures to put the country's economy back on track.
-Published on page#-08 in October-2011 issue of MOBILE WORLD Magazine.
www.mobileworld.com.pk
