Islamabad: India is managing the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz well amid the ongoing West Asian conflict. However, Pakistan, already grappling with a fragile and debt-ridden economy, has been pushed deeper into turmoil. Following the collapse of peace talks in Islamabad, the United States’ move to block the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a severe energy crisis in the country.
At present, widespread power outages are affecting daily life across Pakistan. Urban areas are experiencing electricity cuts of 6 to 10 hours a day, while rural regions are enduring outages lasting 12 to 18 hours. These disruptions are primarily due to the government’s inability to finance fuel imports amid a worsening financial crunch. Compounding the problem, authorities lack sufficient funds to address technical faults in existing power plants, further weakening electricity generation capacity.
The crisis has intensified with the surge in electricity demand during the peak summer season. In response, the government has introduced emergency measures, including ordering the early closure of markets and shopping malls to conserve energy. Working hours for government offices have also been revised. Despite these efforts, the prolonged outages have severely affected industrial production and small businesses, pushing the country’s already strained economy into deeper distress.
Power cuts and economic paralysis
The persistent electricity shortage has had a cascading effect on Pakistan’s economic structure. Industries, particularly small and medium enterprises, are struggling to maintain operations due to unreliable power supply. The disruption has significantly reduced productivity and output, further aggravating financial instability.
At the same time, students preparing for examinations are facing serious difficulties due to inconsistent electricity. The combination of high temperatures and extended power cuts has made studying conditions extremely challenging, adding to public frustration.
Alongside the electricity crisis, Pakistan is also facing a severe disruption in LPG supply, pushing ordinary citizens into extreme hardship. In Karachi, the country’s largest city, the situation has become particularly alarming. Thousands of households are unable to cook as gas supply has been abruptly halted without prior notice.
With stoves going cold, many residents are forced to rely on roadside food vendors. Long queues for bread and naan have become a common sight across the city. Those attempting to purchase LPG cylinders are facing similar struggles, with extended waiting times and uncertain availability. In several areas, reports of stock depletion and inflated prices have triggered public outrage. The root cause of this emergency lies in the disruption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Qatar. Due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Qatar has imposed restrictions on its gas exports, directly impacting Pakistan’s energy supply chain. As a result, multiple power plants have been unable to operate at full capacity, worsening both electricity and gas shortages.
In cities like Karachi, undeclared restrictions on cooking gas have persisted for nearly two weeks. In many localities, gas is supplied for only six hours a day, with complete shutdowns during the afternoon. Meanwhile, LPG prices have surged sharply, with domestic cylinders of 11.67 kg costing between 3,900 and 5,100 Pakistani rupees. Artificial scarcity and hoarding have further intensified the crisis.
Industrial hubs such as Lahore and Karachi are witnessing partial shutdowns, particularly in sectors like textiles, due to inadequate gas supply. With shortages of electricity, water, and cooking gas, public anger is mounting, leading to widespread protests. As the fuel crisis deepens, the government has reduced the working week of public offices to four days, underscoring the severity of the situation.
