Electricity issue in Pakistan

As many of you know I am in Karachi, Pakistan. This country doesn’t get all four seasons. There winter is not as cold as Illinois but last year Karachi weather’s was very cold compared to previous winters.  From winter they jump straight into summer where the temperatures reach up to 105 F with high humidity with absolutely no rain.

High temperatures are one thing to deal with but if you don’t have electricity it’s absolutely miserable.  The way electricity works is due to the less electricity around the country they have to share with others. There is set time during the day when the electric company will shut your area’s power off but here and there they do unexpectedly shut off the electric. These are the timings for everyday; morning from 4:30 AM- 6:30 AM, 11 AM-1 PM, 3 PM-5:30 PM, 8PM-10:00 pm. No electricity everyday at least for 10 hours a day. Three days ago there was no electricity from 8:00 pm to 4:30 AM. My Mom’s home has a generator but at some point even a generator needs a break and on top of that you can’t turn the AC and the fridge on when the generator is on. Everyone feels miserable, low energy, high blood pressure and dizziness. Many people are getting sick due to the hot temperature.

I grew up in Karachi and since I now live in the States it’s a culture shock for me. Electricity, cold water and being in a clean and comfortable environment are also a necessity. But here in Karachi, I am seeing how hard and miserable people are living every single day and that’s their life. I came to Karachi knowing at some point I would go back to the States and then I don’t have to deal with these issues anymore but my heart goes out to the people who are living here and dealing all these issues every single day.    

Many of you know that I am always comparing Pakistani culture and issues to the States cultures culture and issues. No place is perfect and both countries have their own issues but without going deeply, the people who are living in the States are blessed with everything they have and they don’t have to suffer or struggle every single day.

Last week one day there was no electric for 5 hours plus even the water wouldn’t work. After waiting for hours we decided to buy water. We called many places but they all said they are out of water. Finally we got lucky and one company sent a water tank. Honestly I was amazed how hard life is here. We are lucky we could afford to buy water and have a generator and AC. But what about the people who can’t afford all of that? My heart goes out to them and I feel sorry for them.

My Mother raised me to always appreciate everything and to try very hard not to take advantage of anything but once I came home and saw how hard my family and others are living, it makes me appreciate everything more. Having basic needs are every single human’s birthright but unfortunately that’s not the case all over the world. And that makes me very sad and frustrated. I see here in Pakistan the rich people and I also see in the States how many people take advantage of everything and they don’t even think about how wrong they are and how hard others are living.

At my Mom’s home we have a generator and air conditioning. And the whole family and I feel very lucky and blessed we have that necessity. I can’t even imagine the people who don’t have that and are living absolutely miserable but poor people have no choice.

Last chapter of my Ami's life!

Last chapter of her life!

Planning, planning and planning. Many of us are the planers and would like to run our lives according to our plans. I am also one of those who plan. But at the same time life doesn’t go according to our plans. Someone else is in control and he knows what’s best for us. Last year when I find out about my Mother’s (Ami’s) stroke, I came to Karachi and spent time with my family. My mother’s condition was bad and my family didn’t think she would make it far but a year later she is still with us. When I was leaving I honestly didn’t think I would see my Ami again so I did say my final goodbye to her. But only God knows when the time is to leave the world.  After I came back to the states I was in touch with my family and found out my Ami made some progress. But then her health started going down again. She had many small strokes and whatever progress she made she lost it. Three weeks ago my family told me my Ami was in the hospital and we found out she had an infection in her blood, urine and in her bedsores. From the CT scan we found out there is nothing left in her brain. She was in a coma with her temperature above 105 degrees F. My entire family got scared and were very worried for her. When I found out I was feeling very sad and depressed for my mother. I didn’t have any plans to go back to visit her again due to my work schedule. But I feel very lucky how much my co-workers and friends and family supported me through this difficult time. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and truly appreciate you all. I am a believer and I believe you will know whom your true friends are when you are going through a tough time. I am proud to say I have countless true friends around me. Honestly, I didn’t know I would be able to come to Karachi in such a short time but you all made it possible for me.  I made the entire plan within a week and a week ago I arrived in Karachi.

It was and still is very hard and sad to see my Ami in a coma. I can close my eyes and see my Ami’s whole life in front of me like a movie. She is the strongest and patient person I have ever met.  You can name any problem or issue and my Ami has dealt with it. And the amazing part is she never complained to anyone about anything. She has been very strong and always asked helped from God. She was pretty young when she became a widow with 5 young girls. She never re-married and devoted her life to us. We didn’t grow up financially rich but the way she raised all of us in poverty was remarkable. I have so much respect for my Ami.

Now she is counting her last breaths. She is not on any kind of life support and is breathing on her own; she is still alive and I know because I can feel her heartbeat. We are all aware of what’s going on and we know her time is coming it’s only a matter of time. My Ami’s faith always been very strong and that’s why all of us are here and I am asking all of you there to please pray to God to make it easy for her.