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Q. No. 2: How did the reform movement of Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi influence the history of Muslim India?

Outline:

  1. Introduction
  2. Historical Background of Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi
  3. Doctrinal Contributions and Key Reforms
    • a. Opposition to Din-i-Ilahi and Religious Syncretism
    • b. Revival of Sunni Orthodoxy and Shariah
    • c. Concept of Wahdat-ul-Shuhud vs. Wahdat-ul-Wujood
  4. Political and Religious Impact
    • a. Check on Akbar’s Religious Policies
    • b. Re-Islamization of Mughal Court (under Jahangir and Shah Jahan)
  5. Influence on Later Reform Movements
    • a. Shah Waliullah and 18th Century Revival
    • b. Impact on Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Anti-Colonial Resistance
  6. Critical Evaluation
    • a. Strengths: Revivalism, Unity, Identity
    • b. Limitations: Intolerance and Rigidity?
  7. Conclusion
  1. Introduction

Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1564–1624), also known as Imam Rabbani (The Renewer of the Second Millennium), emerged as a pivotal figure in Islamic revivalism during the Mughal era. His reform movement aimed to counter the religious heterodoxy of Emperor Akbar’s policies and to revive orthodox Sunni Islam based on Shariah and Sufism grounded in the Quran and Sunnah. His influence left a profound impact on Muslim identity, politics, and religious thought in the Indian Subcontinent.

  1. Historical Background of Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi
  • Born in Sirhind (Punjab) during the Mughal period
  • Affiliated with the Naqshbandi Sufi order
  • Witnessed religious innovations like Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi, Sulh-e-Kul (universal peace), and policy of religious syncretism
  • Alarmed by the decline in Islamic values and assimilation of Hindu customs in court culture
  1. Doctrinal Contributions and Key Reforms
  2. Opposition to Din-i-Ilahi and Syncretism
  • Denounced Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi as heretical and antithetical to Islamic monotheism
  • Advocated against the intermingling of Islamic and Hindu rituals, promoting purity of Islamic creed
  1. Revival of Sunni Orthodoxy and Shariah
  • Emphasized adherence to Sunnah, Shariah, and jurisprudence
  • Criticized bid‘ah (innovations) and Shia influence in administration
  • Reasserted Friday congregational prayers, Islamic dress codes, and mosque construction
  1. Concept of Wahdat-ul-Shuhud
  • Rejected Ibn Arabi’s philosophy of Wahdat-ul-Wujood (Unity of Being)
  • Promoted Wahdat-ul-Shuhud (Unity of Witnessing) to maintain separation between Creator and creation
  • Bridged orthodox Islam and tasawwuf with a rational approach
  1. Political and Religious Impact
  2. Check on Akbar’s Religious Innovations
  • His letters (Maktubat) were widely circulated, influencing scholars and nobles
  • Convinced many ulema and Sufis to resist state-imposed heterodoxy
  1. Influence on Mughal Court
  • Under Jahangir, initially imprisoned but later respected
  • Under Shah Jahan, Sunni Islam and Islamic law gained prominence
  • His ideological resistance restored Islamic character to Mughal governance
  1. Influence on Later Reform Movements
  2. Inspiration for Shah Waliullah (1703–1762)
  • Carried forward Sirhindi’s legacy of Islamic revival through Shariah, hadith sciences, and opposition to syncretism
  • Focused on reform through knowledge and ijtihad
  1. Syed Ahmad Shaheed (1786–1831)
  • His jihad movement against Sikhs and British was inspired by Naqshbandi revivalism
  • Continued the ideology of Islamic purity and resistance to un-Islamic governance
  1. Critical Evaluation
  2. Strengths
  • Reversed secularizing trends of Akbar’s reign
  • Unified Sufism and Islamic law, reforming religious life
  • His emphasis on ijtihad, reason, and moral discipline was forward-looking
  1. Limitations
  • Sometimes accused of sectarian rigidity
  • Emphasis on orthodoxy reduced interfaith harmony
  • His movement lacked mass mobilization, mostly limited to elites and scholars

“He was the reviver who corrected the qiblah of Muslim India.” — Abul Kalam Azad

  1. Conclusion

Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi’s reform movement played a pivotal role in reshaping Islamic consciousness in India. By challenging Akbar’s unorthodox innovations and restoring the primacy of Shariah and Sunni values, he became a symbol of resistance and revival. His ideas formed the intellectual roots of subsequent reform and anti-colonial movements, laying a spiritual foundation for the evolution of Muslim identity in South Asia.

“In times of religious dilution, Sirhindi’s voice echoed like a clarion call for revival.” — Dr. Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi

. No. 3: China-Pakistan-Russia cooperation will find suitable support mechanism in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Elaborate.

Outline:

  1. Introduction
  2. Overview of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
  3. Strategic Interests of China, Pakistan, and Russia in the SCO
  4. Key Areas of Cooperation
    • a. Security and Counterterrorism
    • b. Regional Connectivity and Trade
    • c. Energy and Infrastructure Development
    • d. Political Multilateralism and Global Realignment
  5. Role of SCO as an Enabler of Trilateral Cooperation
  6. Benefits for Pakistan
  7. Challenges within the SCO Framework
  8. Recommendations for Strengthening Cooperation
  9. Conclusion
  1. Introduction

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has emerged as a powerful platform for regional cooperation in Eurasia and South Asia. With the inclusion of China, Pakistan, and Russia, the organization is increasingly seen as a multilateral mechanism to foster trilateral cooperation across strategic, economic, and political domains. The convergence of interests among these three countries can be effectively institutionalized under the umbrella of the SCO.

  1. Overview of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
  • Established in 2001, headquartered in Beijing
  • Founding members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
  • Pakistan and India joined in 2017
  • Core areas: Security, economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and regional stability
  1. Strategic Interests of China, Pakistan, and Russia in SCO

Country

Strategic Goals within SCO

China

Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), regional stability, counterterrorism

Pakistan

Regional integration, economic development, balancing India

Russia

Eurasian security, multipolarity, counterbalancing NATO and U.S.

  1. Key Areas of Cooperation
  2. Security and Counterterrorism
  • Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) coordinates intelligence-sharing
  • Common concern over militancy in Afghanistan, separatist groups, and extremism
  • Joint military drills like Peace Mission Exercises
  1. Regional Connectivity and Trade
  • Supports China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and North-South Transport Corridor
  • Potential linkage of BRI and Russia’s Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) through Pakistan
  • SCO provides a legal and logistical framework for cross-border trade and energy corridors
  1. Energy and Infrastructure
  • Russia and China exploring joint energy investment in Pakistan
  • Potential for gas pipelines, including Pakistan Stream Gas Pipeline
  • SCO facilitates energy diplomacy among member states
  1. Multilateralism and Global Realignment
  • All three states support a multipolar world order
  • SCO offers an alternative to Western-dominated forums like NATO and G7
  • Shared vision to reform global financial institutions and UN mechanisms
  1. Role of SCO as an Enabler of Trilateral Cooperation
  • Provides structured dialogue, annual summits, and ministerial-level engagement
  • Enables track-II diplomacy and joint working groups
  • Facilitates policy synchronization across transport, finance, digital trade, and security
  1. Benefits for Pakistan
  • Gains strategic leverage through participation with global powers
  • Attracts infrastructure investment and energy cooperation
  • Enhances geopolitical relevance amid growing Sino-Russia alignment
  • Counterbalances regional isolation in South Asia due to strained ties with India
  1. Challenges Within the SCO Framework
  • India-Pakistan rivalry hampers unanimous decisions
  • Institutional limitations: SCO lacks legal enforcement powers
  • Asymmetry in economic and military capacities of member states
  • Limited progress in trade liberalization due to bilateral tensions
  1. Recommendations for Strengthening Cooperation
  • Institutionalize China-Pakistan-Russia trilateral sub-group within SCO
  • Use SCO platform to internationalize CPEC and regional infrastructure
  • Expand joint counterterrorism exercises and border security cooperation
  • Harmonize SCO trade regulations and customs agreements
  • Promote academic, cultural, and media exchanges to build people-to-people ties
  1. Conclusion

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization provides an ideal platform for structured and sustainable cooperation between China, Pakistan, and Russia. As all three states seek regional stability, connectivity, and economic diversification, the SCO’s mechanisms of multilateral dialogue, joint exercises, and shared development agendas can translate geopolitical alignment into tangible regional gains. With visionary leadership and pragmatic diplomacy, this trilateral cooperation can shape a new Eurasian order anchored in mutual respect, security, and development.

Q. No. 4: What are the major provisions of Simla Agreement (1972) between Pakistan and India? How was it helpful for the establishment of durable peace in the region?

. Introduction

The Simla Agreement, signed on 2nd July 1972 between India and Pakistan, was a landmark diplomatic accord concluded in the aftermath of the 1971 Indo-Pak War, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. The agreement aimed to lay the foundation for peaceful bilateral relations, resolution of disputes through dialogue, and the establishment of a durable framework to prevent future conflicts.

Signed by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (President of Pakistan) and Indira Gandhi (Prime Minister of India), the Simla Agreement is seen as a pivotal effort to reset Indo-Pak relations after a major war.

  1. Background Context
  • The 1971 war ended with a decisive Indian victory, the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani troops, and the secession of East Pakistan.
  • Pakistan faced humiliation, while India gained strategic leverage.
  • Both countries sought normalization — India to maintain regional stability and Pakistan to regain its POWs and territory.

III. Major Provisions of the Simla Agreement (1972)

Provision

Explanation

1. Peaceful Resolution of Disputes

Both nations agreed to resolve all issues through bilateral negotiations without third-party intervention.

2. Respect for the Line of Control (LoC)

The ceasefire line in Jammu & Kashmir was renamed the Line of Control. Both parties agreed to respect it and not alter it unilaterally.

3. Renunciation of the Use of Force

Both countries committed to refrain from the threat or use of force in resolving their disputes.

4. Return of POWs and Captured Territory

India agreed to release the 93,000 Pakistani POWs and return over 13,000 sq km of territory it had captured in West Pakistan.

5. Establishment of Diplomatic Relations

Both countries agreed to take steps for the resumption of diplomatic and trade relations.

6. Withdrawal of Armed Forces

Armed forces of both countries would be withdrawn to their respective territories to restore peace and order.

7. Future Negotiations

High-level talks were to continue to achieve durable peace, including discussions on Kashmir.

  1. Significance of the Simla Agreement
  2. Restoration of Diplomatic Normalcy
  • It allowed restoration of diplomatic relations after the 1971 war.
  • POWs were returned, and territory occupied by India was handed back, especially in Sindh and Punjab.
  1. Foundation for Bilateralism
  • Introduced the principle of bilateralism, emphasizing that no third party, including the UN or international organizations, would mediate disputes.
  • This became India’s diplomatic stance in rejecting UN and OIC intervention in Kashmir.
  1. Freeze on the Kashmir Issue
  • Kashmir dispute was not resolved, but the LoC was formalized.
  • Helped maintain status quo, preventing further military escalation.
  1. Reduction in Hostility
  • There were no full-scale wars between India and Pakistan for nearly three decades after 1971 (until the Kargil conflict in 1999).
  • Encouraged Track-II diplomacy and multiple bilateral talks, including Lahore Declaration (1999).
  1. Critical Evaluation of the Agreement

Positive Outcomes

Limitations

Avoided further escalation post-1971

Failed to provide clear roadmap on Kashmir

Returned POWs and territory

India later interpreted bilateralism to exclude international mediation

Created a diplomatic basis for peace

Pakistan felt pressured into signing under duress post-defeat

Served as a framework for later agreements

No enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance

“The Simla Agreement reflects Pakistan’s diplomatic resilience after a military disaster.” – Stanley Wolpert

  1. Was It Helpful in Establishing Durable Peace?

Yes – To a Certain Extent

  • Prevented war: Despite tensions (e.g., Siachen 1984, Kargil 1999), full-scale wars were avoided.
  • Formalized LoC: Helped regulate cross-border violence in Kashmir.
  • Enabled dialogue platforms: Opened channels for SAARC, Lahore Declaration, and backchannel diplomacy.

No – Peace Remained Elusive

  • Kashmir remained unresolved, with frequent violations of LoC.
  • Terrorism from non-state actors (especially post-2001) eroded the spirit of peace.
  • Kargil War (1999) and Mumbai attacks (2008) showed breakdown of mutual trust.

VII. Contemporary Relevance

  • India continues to cite Simla Agreement to counter internationalization of Kashmir.
  • Pakistan calls for revival of multilateral forums, especially post Article 370 abrogation in 2019.
  • The agreement is often viewed more as a symbolic gesture than a binding treaty in present-day Indo-Pak diplomacy.

VIII. Conclusion

The Simla Agreement was a diplomatic milestone in post-1971 Indo-Pak relations. While it restored immediate normalcy, its long-term efficacy in ensuring durable peace has been partial and conditional. The absence of binding conflict resolution mechanisms and the continued volatility over Kashmir mean that the agreement’s peace potential remains unfulfilled.

However, it laid the foundation for bilateral dialogue, which remains critical to any future Indo-Pak rapprochement. For genuine peace, both nations must move beyond rhetoric and implement confidence-building measures rooted in trust, mutual respect, and regional cooperation.

Q. No. 5: What is meant by the term “Proxy War”? Are there any extrinsic factors at play in the internal security situation of Pakistan?

Introduction

The concept of proxy war refers to a conflict where two or more powers use third parties as substitutes for fighting each other directly. In the modern geopolitical landscape, proxy wars have become a prominent tool for influence, allowing states to avoid direct confrontation while pursuing strategic interests. Pakistan’s internal security landscape has increasingly been shaped by extrinsic or external factors, including regional rivalries, foreign intelligence operations, and transnational ideological movements.

  1. Definition of Proxy War

Proxy War: “A conflict where opposing powers support different parties or groups, often insurgents or militias, as a substitute for direct military engagement.”

Examples globally:

  • Soviet-Afghan War (U.S. vs USSR via Mujahideen)
  • Syrian Civil War (U.S., Russia, Iran, Turkey supporting different factions)
  • Yemen Conflict (Saudi Arabia vs Iran through local groups)

In Pakistan’s case, proxy warfare has emerged through state-sponsored terrorism, funding of separatist and insurgent groups, and ideological warfare from hostile external actors.

III. Historical Context of Proxy Warfare in Pakistan

Period

Form of Proxy Influence

1980s

Pakistan as a frontline state in the Afghan Jihad, supported by U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

1990s

Kashmir insurgency – accusations on India and Pakistan supporting proxies.

2000s–2020s

Rise of TTP, BLA, IS-KP – often accused of receiving external funding/support.

  1. Extrinsic Factors Impacting Pakistan’s Internal Security
  2. Indian Involvement and Hybrid Warfare
  • Kulbhushan Jadhav, a former Indian naval officer, arrested in Balochistan, accused of espionage and aiding separatists.
  • RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) allegedly supports anti-Pakistan elements in:
    • Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)
    • Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
    • Sindhudesh Liberation Army (SLA)
  • India’s Doval Doctrine emphasizes offensive defense, which includes non-state actors and subversive tactics.

“We will inflict pain at a place and time of our choosing.” — Ajit Doval, Indian NSA

  1. Afghanistan’s Role Post-2021
  • Taliban takeover in 2021 raised expectations of reduced border terrorism, yet TTP sanctuaries persist in Afghan provinces.
  • Pak-Afghan tensions rose due to:
    • Failure to curb TTP operations.
    • Loosely managed Durand Line.
    • Frequent cross-border attacks.
  1. Iranian Linkages and Sectarian Faultlines
  • Iran accused of supporting Shi’a militant groups inside Pakistan.
  • Proxy rivalry with Saudi Arabia has intensified sectarian violence.
  • Groups like Sipah-e-Muhammad vs Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) have had external ideological and financial backers.
  1. Gulf States and Ideological Influence
  • Financial support from Saudi Arabia and UAE has promoted Salafi-Wahhabi seminaries.
  • In contrast, Iran’s soft power is visible in Shi’a madrasas and processions.
  • These ideological interventions have deepened sectarian divides.
  1. U.S. Drone Policy and Extremist Blowback
  • Post-9/11, U.S. drone strikes (particularly in FATA) fueled anti-state sentiment, empowering groups like:
    • Al-Qaeda in South Asia
    • TTP factions
  • Foreign-funded NGOs and media channels also accused of influencing narratives.
  1. Key Internal Security Challenges Aggravated by Proxy Elements

Security Challenge

External Connection

TTP Insurgency

Alleged support from Afghanistan and Indian intel.

Baloch Insurgency

Cross-border sanctuaries; Indian funding via Iran-Afghan borders.

Sectarian Terrorism

Iran–Saudi regional rivalry played out via Sunni-Shi’a militant groups.

Cyberwarfare and Disinformation

Campaigns like EU DisinfoLab uncovered Indian-backed fake news sites targeting Pakistan.

  1. Evidence and Reports Supporting External Involvement
  • EU DisinfoLab (2020): 750+ fake news websites linked to Indian disinformation network.
  • UN Security Council Report (2021): Warned of growing links between TTP and IS-KP in Afghan territory.
  • Pakistan’s Dossier (2020): Shared with UN and FATF detailing Indian support for terror outfits and economic sabotage.

VII. Impact on Pakistan’s National Security and Sovereignty

  • Military Fatigue: Continuous insurgencies have stretched the military’s internal deployment.
  • Economic Strain: FDI and tourism are directly affected by violence and instability.
  • Polarization and Fear: Proxy wars aggravate ethnic, sectarian, and ideological divisions.
  • International Image: Accusations of hosting proxies in turn complicate Pakistan’s diplomatic leverage.

VIII. Measures Taken by Pakistan

Strategy

Description

Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad

Cleared FATA and tribal areas of TTP sanctuaries.

Fencing of Pak-Afghan Border

98% fencing completed to monitor infiltration.

National Action Plan (NAP)

20-point strategy including madrasa reform, hate speech control, and counterterrorism courts.

Diplomatic Dossiers

Internationalizing India’s hybrid war and proxy network.

FATF Compliance

Cracking down on financing of non-state actors.

  1. Recommendations and Way Forward
  1. Regional Security Dialogue with neighbors to reduce cross-border subversion.
  2. Counter-Hybrid Warfare Framework in coordination with China, Turkey, and Gulf states.
  3. De-securitization of Tribal Areas with economic uplift and youth employment.
  4. Engagement with Afghan Taliban to ensure no sanctuary for TTP.
  5. Cyber Defense Mechanism to counter narrative warfare and disinformation.
  6. Religious Diplomacy with Iran and Saudi Arabia to curb proxy conflict exported through sectarian channels.
  1. Conclusion

The internal security crisis in Pakistan cannot be viewed in isolation from extrinsic, regional, and global dynamics. Proxy warfare remains a strategic tool used by hostile powers to destabilize Pakistan, whether through insurgencies, sectarian violence, or narrative manipulation. Combating this complex web requires a comprehensive security doctrine—one that merges military strength with diplomatic finesse, economic reforms, and ideological clarity.

“Internal peace in Pakistan depends not only on defeating the enemy within, but also identifying the invisible hands that fuel it from without.” — Gen. (R) Raheel Sharif

Q. No. 6: Discuss the main features of political culture of Pakistan.

Outline:

  1. Introduction
  2. Concept and Definition of Political Culture
  3. Historical Evolution of Pakistan’s Political Culture
  4. Main Features of Pakistan’s Political Culture
    • a. Patronage and Biradari Politics
    • b. Civil-Military Imbalance
    • c. Personalization and Charismatic Leadership
    • d. Weak Democratic Institutions
    • e. Role of Religion and Ideology
    • f. Youth Activism and Media Influence
  5. Types of Political Culture in Pakistan
  6. Effects on Governance and Political Stability
  7. Recent Trends and Shifts
  8. Conclusion
  1. Introduction

Political culture refers to the collective attitudes, values, and beliefs of people towards politics, governance, authority, and participation. In Pakistan, political culture is shaped by a unique blend of colonial legacies, Islamic ideology, feudal structures, civil-military relations, and media evolution. Understanding Pakistan’s political culture is essential to diagnosing its governance challenges and democratic transitions.

  1. Concept and Definition of Political Culture

According to Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba, political culture is “the pattern of individual attitudes and orientations toward politics among the members of a political system.”

It determines:

  • Citizen participation
  • Political legitimacy
  • Leadership values
  • Institutional stability
  1. Historical Evolution of Pakistan’s Political Culture

Period

Political Trend

1947–1958

Institution-building struggles, elite dominance

1958–1971

Military rule and political suppression

1971–1977

Populist mobilization under Bhutto

1977–1988

Islamization under Zia, depoliticization

1988–1999

Democratic instability and biradari politics

2000–present

Media activism, civil society emergence, hybrid regimes

  1. Main Features of Pakistan’s Political Culture
  2. Patronage and Biradari Politics
  • Political parties often rely on clan (biradari) loyalties, ethnic groups, and local influential families
  • Political alignments are based more on kinship networks than on ideology or party manifestos
  1. Civil-Military Imbalance
  • Frequent military interventions (1958, 1977, 1999) have shaped a hybrid governance structure
  • Military influences foreign policy, internal security, and sometimes economic planning
  1. Personalization and Charismatic Leadership
  • Leadership cults around personalities like Jinnah, Bhutto, Benazir, Imran Khan
  • Weak development of institutional democracy and party discipline
  1. Weak Democratic Institutions
  • Parliament and judiciary have often been overshadowed by executive overreach
  • Frequent dissolutions of assemblies and lack of intra-party democracy
  1. Role of Religion and Ideology
  • Pakistan’s identity is intertwined with Islamic ideology, influencing political decisions
  • Rise of religious political parties and use of Islam in electoral narratives
  1. Youth Activism and Media Influence
  • Digital activism through social media has reshaped political participation
  • Growing polarization due to partisan media and fake news
  • Youth involvement through platforms like PTI’s campaigns, student unions, and TikTok-based awareness
  1. Types of Political Culture in Pakistan

Type

Characteristics

Parochial

Rural areas with minimal awareness; passive political behavior

Subject

Citizens are aware but not actively participating (urban middle class)

Participant

Active involvement in protests, voting, social media (urban youth)

Pakistan exhibits a mixed political culture, transitioning between parochial and participatory patterns.

  1. Effects on Governance and Political Stability
  • Personalistic politics hinders policy continuity
  • Ethnic and sectarian fragmentation undermines national unity
  • Judicial and electoral politicization reduces institutional credibility
  • Delays in electoral reforms and rise in street agitation
  1. Recent Trends and Shifts
  • Increased youth participation and demand for transparency
  • Emergence of issue-based politics (climate change, inflation, education)
  • Judiciary and Election Commission becoming focal points in political discourse
  • Growth of hybrid democracy where elected and unelected actors share power
  1. Conclusion

Pakistan’s political culture remains in a state of flux, defined by a mix of traditional loyalties, ideological contestation, and institutional weaknesses. For the country to transition into a stable democracy, it must invest in political education, electoral reforms, devolution, and merit-based leadership. Only a mature and participatory political culture can ensure long-term governance and national integration.

“Democracy is not just about elections. It is about a culture of accountability, inclusion, and law.” — Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy

Q. No. 7: Pakistan’s energy crisis was due to the lack of strategy and political will. Discuss.

Outline:

  1. Introduction
  2. Overview of Pakistan’s Energy Crisis
  3. Structural Issues in Energy Management
  4. Lack of Long-Term Strategic Planning
  5. Political Will and Policy Paralysis
  6. Consequences of the Energy Crisis
  7. Case Studies and Missed Opportunities
  8. Recent Developments and Policy Attempts
  9. Recommendations
  10. Conclusion
  1. Introduction

Pakistan’s energy crisis is a chronic and multi-dimensional problem, characterized by power shortages, circular debt, outdated infrastructure, and rising tariffs. While the country possesses abundant resources—hydel, solar, wind, and coal—the crisis persists due to poor strategic foresight and lack of political resolve. The energy shortfall has constrained economic growth, industrial productivity, and public welfare.

  1. Overview of Pakistan’s Energy Crisis
  • Current demand-supply gap: Shortfall of 4,000–7,000 MW in peak seasons
  • Circular debt has crossed PKR 2.6 trillion (2024)
  • Energy mix heavily reliant on imported fuels (over 62%)
  • Transmission losses: ~20% of total generation
  1. Structural Issues in Energy Management

Problem Area

Impact

Poor Transmission

Frequent load-shedding, rural under-electrification

Circular Debt

Payment backlog cripples energy companies

Policy Incoherence

Frequent shifts in energy priorities confuse investors

Import Dependence

Vulnerability to global oil and gas price shocks

  1. Lack of Long-Term Strategic Planning
  2. Ad Hoc Planning
  • Energy policies driven by electoral cycles, not long-term needs
  • Overdependence on thermal IPPs (Independent Power Producers) with unsustainable contracts
  1. Failure to Exploit Renewable Resources
  • Pakistan has solar and wind potential exceeding 100,000 MW, yet <6% share in energy mix
  • Projects like Thar coal, Dasu Dam, and Keti Bandar Wind Corridor face persistent delays
  1. Neglect of R&D and Data-Driven Planning
  • Absence of national energy database and forecasting tools
  • No clear roadmap for energy transition or digital metering systems
  1. Political Will and Policy Paralysis
  • Political elite lacked consensus on energy reforms
  • Politicization of power sector appointments and tariff adjustments
  • Populist subsidies given without fiscal coverage worsened circular debt
  • No accountability for project delays or corruption in power sector

“It is not the lack of resources, but the failure of resolve that keeps Pakistan in the dark.” — Energy Economist Dr. Hafiz Pasha

  1. Consequences of the Energy Crisis

Sector

Consequence

Industrial

Output reduction, job losses, loss of exports

Domestic

Poor quality of life, blackouts, use of generators

Economic

GDP loss of 2–3% annually, investor flight

Environmental

Emissions from diesel generators, outdated plants

  1. Case Studies and Missed Opportunities
  • Nandipur Power Plant (2014): Commissioned at massive cost but faced operational inefficiency
  • Rental Power Projects (2008–2010): Resulted in Rs. 22 billion scandal and no power delivery
  • Net Metering Delays: Policy approved in 2015, but licensing bureaucracy stifled household adoption
  1. Recent Developments and Policy Attempts
  • Alternative & Renewable Energy Policy (2019): Aims for 30% renewable share by 2030
  • CPEC Phase-II: Includes energy infrastructure, solar and wind farms
  • Energy Efficiency Programs: LED and electric vehicle initiatives
  • However, lack of follow-through and coordination continues to hamper progress
  1. Recommendations
  • Develop a National Energy Security Policy with 25–30 year horizon
  • Create autonomous and professionalized energy regulatory authorities
  • Shift towards renewable-based decentralized grids
  • Resolve circular debt through audit, renegotiation with IPPs, and governance reform
  • Depoliticize the power sector by ensuring continuity across governments
  • Launch public awareness campaigns for energy conservation
  1. Conclusion

Pakistan’s energy crisis is not simply a technical issue—it is the product of systemic governance failure, strategic neglect, and lack of political courage. Despite ample resources and donor support, the unwillingness to take tough decisions has crippled energy sustainability. Only through bold reform, national consensus, and long-term planning can Pakistan move from power shortage to energy security.

“Nations do not grow by power alone—they grow by the power of wise decisions.” — Shahid Kardar, Economist

⚡ Causes Breakdown:

  • 25% – Lack of Strategic Planning
  • 20% – Weak Political Will
  • 20% – Circular Debt & Financial Mismanagement
  • 15% – Transmission & Distribution Losses
  • 10% – Overreliance on Imported Fuels
  • 10% – Neglect of Renewable Energy Resources

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