Power sector needs drastic reforms
Mustafa Tahir
Pakistan faces various energy issues including electricity shortages, high fuel costs, and a heavy reliance on imported energy. These issues have significant impacts on the country's economy, social development, and quality of life. One of the major challenges Pakistan faces presently is a shortfall in electricity production that has led to massive power load shedding. This situation is due to various factors including the use of imported fuel, outdated infrastructure, insufficient investment in the energy sector, dollar value hike, and a lack of diversity in energy sources. Additionally, Pakistan's energy mix is heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, which make up over 70% of its energy consumption. This dependence on imported energy sources makes Pakistan vulnerable to price fluctuations in the global energy market. Furthermore, the country's energy sector suffers from a lack of investment in renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. While Pakistan has enormous potential for renewable energy, only a small percentage of its energy comes from these sources. To address these energy issues, Pakistan has launched various initiatives aimed at increasing energy production, diversifying the energy mix, and promoting the use of renewable energy. These initiatives include the development of new power plants, the construction of renewable energy projects, and the implementation of energy conservation measures, but major challenges still remain. There is a need to make more investments in the energy sector and bring drastic policy reforms to address Pakistan's energy issues in the long term.