Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PESHAWAR8
2009-01-13 12:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Peshawar
Cable title:  

ENERGY CRISIS IN NWFP; REGIONAL ECONOMY AT A "STAND-STILL

Tags:  PTER MOPS ASEC PGOV PK ECON ENRG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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O P 131222Z JAN 09
FM AMCONSUL PESHAWAR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7800
INFO RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 4858
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 4586
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 1737
RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 1730
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1004
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 1370
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 0625
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0766
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 0673
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0624
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0718
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFISS/CDR USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUMICEA/USSOCOM INTEL OPS CEN MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PESHAWAR 000008 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/13/2019
TAGS: PTER MOPS ASEC PGOV PK ECON ENRG
SUBJECT: ENERGY CRISIS IN NWFP; REGIONAL ECONOMY AT A "STAND-STILL

CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne Tracy, Principal Officer, Peshawar,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)
Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PESHAWAR 000008

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/13/2019
TAGS: PTER MOPS ASEC PGOV PK ECON ENRG
SUBJECT: ENERGY CRISIS IN NWFP; REGIONAL ECONOMY AT A "STAND-STILL

CLASSIFIED BY: Lynne Tracy, Principal Officer, Peshawar,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)
Summary
--------------


1. (C) The economy of Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province
(NWFP) is at a "stand-still," according to Sharafat Ali Mubarak,
president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
Citing up to 20 hours per day of electrical loadshedding and
drastic shortages of natural gas, Mubarak claimed that the
region's energy crisis had virtually halted economic activity in
northwest Pakistan. Mubarak's statements, while overly dramatic
and not entirely accurate, rightly point out that these are
increasingly challenging times in Pakistan's NWFP. End Summary.

Electricity and Natural Gas Shortages in NWFP
--------------


2. (C) Sharafat Ali Mubarak, president of Peshawar's leading
trade group, SCCI, stated on January 5, that the NWFP economy
was at a "stand-still." Mubarrak noted that both domestic
consumers and businesses had to put up with as many as 20 hours
per day of electrical loadshedding and substantial shortages of
natural gas. Mubarak claimed that recently 325 industrial
companies, of about 2,000 in the region, had closed due to the
energy crisis, costing up to 11,000 jobs. He called the energy
crisis a "severe blow" to the NWFP and said the region's economy
was "on the rocks."


3. (C) The chief engineer of Peshawar's Electric Supply
Company (PESCO) claimed that last week was a particularly bad
week for electrical loadshedding because Independent Power
Producers (IPPs) had been shut-down for maintenance and the
region's two large dams were undergoing de-silting operations,
reducing available hydro power. PESCO's chief engineer stated
that Peshawar and the surrounding area needs about 2,100 - 2,400
Megawatts of electricity, but suffered a shortfall of about
1,100 - 1,200 Megawatts, forcing PESCO to shut down different
parts of the electricity grid for extended periods each day.


4. (C) The director of public relations at Sui Northern Gas
Pipelines, Pakistan's largest natural gas company with over 3
million consumers, cited militant attacks on gas pipelines, as
recently as December 31, and increased demand during winter, to
explain widespread problems with low gas pressure and
unavailability. Most households in NWFP now have difficulty
turning on their stoves in the morning. Shortages of compressed
natural gas (CNG),the predominant transportation fuel in NWFP,
have also caused significant problems for motorists. According
to President of the Compressed Natural Gas Station Owners
Association (CSOAP),Malik Bhuda Baksh, most CNG stations do not
have enough CNG fuel.

Strikes and Protests Are Possible
--------------


5. (C) Although SCCI decided to call off a strike planned for
this week after receiving assurances from NWFP's Chief Minister
that the provincial government would provide better security to
businessmen and more reliable power to companies, discontent
looms throughout the region. In Bannu, trade organizations
observed a complete shut-down on January 5 to protest
unannounced electrical loadshedding. The NWFP government,
apparently recognizing a growing discontent, imposed a ban on
the use of electrical and gas heaters in all government offices
due to the "electricity and gas crisis in the country."

Comment
--------------


6. (C) Mubarak's statements, while overly dramatic and not
entirely accurate, rightly point out that these are increasingly
challenging times in Pakistan's NWFP for both Businessmen and
local citizens.


7. (C) What may be equally telling are the significant
numbers of businessmen who have told post that they will not
leave the area or cease operations for any reason. Many of
these business leaders have purchased large generators to keep

PESHAWAR 00000008 002 OF 002


their factories operating and are on their second set of
bodyguards as others have resigned over security concerns.
Determination and strong wills can be seen on both sides of the
struggle for the NWFP.
TRACY