This letter refers to the news report ‘Going back to IMF again after 3 years would be a shame: PM' (July 9, 2024). Of course, PM Shehbaz Sharif is right. However, what is even more shameful is the spectacle of observing our dynastic politicians always promising to rid us of the IMF every time they come to power but leaving us with a much higher loan burden by the time they leave. We know that one of them, while proudly claiming to rid the country of darkness, signed costly contracts with IPPs.
And now, his brother and daughter are promising to switch part of it to clean and cheap solar energy. However, most of the benefits of this will materialize only if the government makes satisfactory arrangements to cancel costly power projects signed with IPPs without creating Reko Diq-like complications. Use of hydro-energy and wind power must also be considered instead of making massive commitments in haste.
SRH Hashmi
Karachi