Our right to electricity

Under Article 9 of the constitution, the state as defined in Article 7 bears the fundamental responsibility of ensuring electricity supply to every household, residence, and economic activity throughout Pakistan. This provision firmly enshrines the right to electricity as a fundamental right, essential for life and security.

A state that consistently fails to uphold the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution cannot be considered genuinely people-centric, democratic, or responsible. The provision of electricity is not only a matter of economic development but also a question of human dignity (Article 14) and well-being (Articles 37 and 38)

Access to affordable and reliably consistent electricity is not just a luxury – it is a fundamental necessity for the well-being and prosperity of individuals and communities. Electricity is the driving force behind many aspects of modern life, profoundly impacting health, education, communication, productivity, food security, economic empowerment, safety, and environmental sustainability. Electricity is not merely a utility; it is the lifeblood of modern society, essential for driving progress and development across all facets of life.

In the health sector, electricity is crucial not only for powering hospitals and medical equipment but also for ensuring access to safe drinking water and promoting quality sleep, which are vitally important for maintaining energy and productivity.

Education and skill development, too, are heavily reliant on electricity. In the third decade of the 21st century, it is utterly unthinkable to provide quality education or foster skill development without reliable electricity. This is especially true as we move further into the era of generative artificial intelligence, where learning and innovation are key drivers of prosperity. Without education and skill development, a country cannot thrive, making electricity an indispensable factor in building a knowledgeable and capable society.

In today’s interconnected world, electricity powers the devices and networks that enable local and global communication. It supports telephone and internet connectivity, allowing people to stay in touch with family, friends, and colleagues worldwide. Reliable electricity is crucial for accessing information and emergency services, and it has made online transactions and digital payments the norm.

Beyond communication, electricity plays a pivotal role in food and nutrition, as it supports irrigation systems, enhances agricultural productivity, and facilitates food processing and preservation.

Unfortunately, and sadly, throughout its history, the Pakistani state has consistently failed to prioritize the welfare of its people. Leaders have shown little empathy for the suffering of the poor, neglecting their basic needs. A prime example is the plight of rural Balochistan, rural Sindh, rural Punjab and rural Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Countless homes in these regions still lack access to electricity, severely hindering their ability to live a decent life. Despite these challenges, the state demands unwavering patriotism, which is often equated with blindly supporting the ruling elite, regardless of their corruption, incompetence, and injustice.

Unquestionably, the energy sector in Pakistan is a glaring example of gross mismanagement, corruption, and incompetence. Despite being a fundamental right, electricity remains a luxury for many citizens, with frequent power outages and loadshedding severely impacting the nation (violation of Article 25 of the constitution).

The failures of the energy sector not only undermine economic growth but also significantly threaten the quality of life for many millions of people. This crisis results from systemic issues within the conglomerate of energy and power departments, including the Ministry of Energy, Nepra, and the DISCOs, which have consistently failed in their duty to provide affordable and reliable electricity to all citizens and businesses.

Mercifully, non-traditional methods like solar energy offer promising solutions to energy challenges, potentially addressing constitutional obligations like Article 9. Some successful examples include:

In Africa, M-KOPA of Kenya Solar provides pay-as-you-go solar energy to over 1 million households in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania through a lease-to-own model that innovatively utilizes mobile money for payments. This success stems from innovative payment solutions and partnerships with mobile network operators.

The Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, a large CSP project in Morocco, provides over 580MW to one million homes, supported by government investments, international support, and community engagement. Bangladesh’s SHS program, led by IDCOL, has installed over four million systems, benefiting 20 million people, and the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) in India has made it one of the largest solar markets globally, with over 40 GW installed. Supportive policies, competitive bidding, and integration into rural areas have driven solar costs down and attracted significant investments.

In the Americas, Chile’s Atacama Desert, with over 3 GW of solar capacity, exemplifies efficient solar energy use, driven by strong government support and favorable conditions. The US, with over 100 GW of solar capacity, benefits from federal initiatives and state policies. Solar significantly contributes to the energy mix, supported by tax incentives and mandates. Other notable examples are:

Germany’s Energiewende policy, focusing on renewable energy, has led to over 50 GW of solar capacity, thanks to generous incentives and public support. Australia leads in rooftop solar installations due to highly favourable conditions.

China has the world’s largest solar market (more than 600 GW) with significant investments in panels and infrastructure. Uruguay uses a wind-solar hybrid model for 30 per cent renewable electricity.

Costa Rica aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, using solar, hydro, and wind power.

Our state can greatly benefit from global examples by embracing innovative public-private partnerships. We need a new model that offers low-interest loans with a 5–10-year repayment period, distributed as digital vouchers. These vouchers should be issued to heads of households, small business owners, and self-cultivating farmers.

The government should develop a project with branches at the town committee level that accept these digital vouchers, not only for installing high-quality solar systems but also for providing maintenance for at least five years. The service charges should include the built-in low interest, with part of the payment covered by the government. The entire process should be transparent and hassle-free, and experts should be consulted to refine this suggestion.

In this age of generative artificial intelligence, the primary drivers of economic growth, development, prosperity, and national security are the minds of our people. Ensuring a stable electricity supply will truly unlock the potential within our citizens and fuel our progress.

The writer is an advocate of the high court and a former civil servant.