DAWN Editorials - 15th March 2025

[zarnishhayat]

Revised solar policy

THE decision to significantly revise down buyback prices at which power distribution companies purchase electricity from rooftop solar system owners is the correct step towards energy price equity for all consumers.

Under the revised net-metering policy, distribution companies will buy unused surplus solar electricity from net-metered consumers at Rs10 per unit, down by nearly 63pc from Rs27, during the day while selling grid power to them for Rs42 during off-peak hours, and Rs48 during peak hours (the prices are ‘net of applicable taxes’) or at the applicable rates being paid by households connected to the national grid. The revised tariffs will apply to new distributed solar or net-metered consumers; existing beneficiaries will shift under this framework after the expiry of their seven-year contracts. Besides, net-metered consumers would no longer be allowed to instal solar capacity exceeding their sanctioned load, except for a 10pc cushion, compared to the current 50pc margin.

The revisions became necessary due to three factors. One, most rooftop solar power owners have installed far more surplus solar power than they need for self-consumption. This helps them export surplus electrons to the grid during the day, and import them after sunset. Surplus electrons exported to distribution firms in winter are often reclaimed in summer. It amounts to using the grid as a big storage battery while avoiding payment of capacity charges and transmission costs on electricity consumption.

Second, affluent urban net-metered households are causing a nine-paisa per unit impact on average electricity cost which, the energy ministry says, could increase to Rs3.6 by 2034 if the policy is not changed. By the end of December 2024, the existing 283,000 rooftop solar owners had already transferred the burden of Rs159bn to those dependent on grid power. Third, there are valid concerns that higher penetration of distributed solar could put the infrastructure at risk of failure since most net-metered surplus loads are concentrated in larger cities where rapid capacity expansion might compromise supply stability.

It is but natural that the changes in the distributed solar policy, leading to the reduction in buyback rates, and the shift to net billing from net metering, have come under criticism. But the opprobrium generated by the policy revisions are misplaced because these will increase the payback periods for consumers who have installed or planned to instal oversized solar systems. The falling solar panel and equipment prices will keep the payback period short despite tighter net-metering conditions, at least for those who have just enough capacity for self-consumption despite the changes in the tariff structure for distributed solar. Some may argue that the alterations in incentives will discourage rooftop solarisation, but that is unlikely because solar power is still cheaper than the grid and becoming more cost-effective as technology improves.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2025

Toxic prejudice

WITH far-right movements on the march across the world, it is no surprise that anti-Muslim bias is witnessing high levels in many non-Muslim societies. Thus, as the world observes the International Day to Combat Islamophobia today, there must be a renewed pledge from governments across the world to fight toxic anti-Muslim prejudice, as well as discrimination against believers of all faiths. The resolution to mark the day was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2022, and Pakistan was instrumental in the passage of the document. However, despite the noble intentions of the resolution, Muslims across the world continue to face different forms of violence. For example, UK-based group Tell MAMA says there was a 73pc rise in Islamophobic assaults in Britain last year, while CAIR, a Muslim advocacy group in America, says there were over 8,600 anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents reported in 2024. However, Islamophobia is not just confined to the West; Muslims in India have been enduring sustained attacks on their faith and traditions during the BJP’s rule.

While, according to a UN expert, Islamophobia hit “epidemic proportions” in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, today various causes are attributed to incidents of anti-Muslim hatred. Among these is the Israeli genocide in Gaza, supported by many Western states, which has propelled anti-Muslim sentiment. Exploiting the conflict are far-right groups, which paint Muslims as a dangerous minority out to destroy ‘our’ way of life. What is particularly distressing is that in many places in Europe — Germany, Austria, the UK — these far-right actors have made considerable gains at the ballot box. Meanwhile in the US, many amongst President Donald Trump’s inner circle are known to harbour anti-Muslim views. It is, then, no coincidence that Islamophobia in Western states has risen as xenophobic forces have gained more political power. Big Tech, particularly Elon Musk, has also played a role in demonising Muslims. To combat the rising tide of hate, governments must take action against violent hatemongers who threaten peaceful Muslims, while as suggested by the UN secretary general, online platforms must do more to tackle hate speech. It may be Muslims today, but if the world remains silent, other racial and ethnic minorities will be next on the hit list of far-right extremists. Therefore, all people of conscience need to speak up against religious, racial and ethnic bigotry.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2025


Children in jails

PAKISTAN’S children in prison have often been treated like adult criminals. The Sindh government’s programme to educate 4,684 children of convicted prisoners in the province is a glimmer of light in a dark space. The scheme — an initiative of the education and prisons departments and Paigham-i-Pakistan — offers complete educational support in private and government institutions to children born in jails. But the government has to be mindful of the fact that its failure to serve as a blanket policy for all juveniles will lead to controversy. Statistics issued by the Sindh Prisons and Corrections Service in 2023 showed that 385 juvenile offenders — 106 of them under 16 years of age and 100 under the age of 18 — languished in prisons across the province. Sadly, these numbers have seen a substantial rise, yet their treatment indicates that they are not seen as the nation’s children.

Children should not be in prison. To understand this, the authorities ought to delve deeper into the psychology of jail where alienation and harsh conditions shape the young into hardened offenders. Childhoods marred by poverty, abuse and being left out of school often lead to serious violations; research shows that juveniles exposed to conventional criminal justice systems are prone to repeating criminal behaviour. For worthy measures to succeed, the government has to own and prioritise the young in conflict with the law by ensuring stringent implementation of the Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018, which says that anyone under the age of 18 is to be seen as a child. Secondly, Sindh must establish remand homes in each city. Currently, even the long sanctioned one in Nawabshah is not operational. A reformative, rehabilitative environment with decent living conditions, counselling, skill training and education may ensure that the jailed young are not condemned to a life of deliquency. Impressionable minds exposed to apathy cannot contribute to society.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2025