Pakistan, March 31 -- In a classic manifestation of the age-old chicken-egg question, the government believes the power consumers' rapid shift to solar energy is responsible for the umpteenth surge in electricity prices. So while there's no stopping the skyrocketing electricity bill, the end-consumers should not consider alternative solutions because they would reflect badly on future prices.

Meanwhile, the new hike would unload yet another burden of Rs 2.75 per unit, forcing the working classes to contemplate whether to pay bills or put food in their bellies.

The regulatory body believes that such an increase is crucial to balance the operational costs of power generation and distribution. Fair enough, but who in the current government...