Energy resources are the backbone of economic development of any country. Pakistan has been facing the problem of energy crisis and loadshedding for more than five years due to the increasing demand for power in the form of electricity, diesel, petrol and coal.

The continuing electricity crisis and increase in electricity prices are destroying national growth, income and per capita income as well.

Loadshedding does not only affect the people but also the industrial sector. Many industries have cut down their production units due to non-availability of the required energy. Loadshedding is worsening day by day in urban areas where there is no power for as long as 10 hours a day. And in rural areas it ranges from 12 to 18 hours a day.

Most of our electricity is produced by thermal power plants which burn oil or gas and then produce electricity. The country is facing a shortage of oil and even gas. It imports oil and gas for this purpose and pays heavy import bills.

As Pakistan has one of the largest coal deposits in the Tharparkar desert, the government should utilise coal to generate power. Another natural resource to produce electricity is wind. Pakistan has several points for energy production through wind. These include the coastal belt, the northern areas and Azad Kashmir.

Zobia Iftikhar

Karachi