he scale and impact of Pakistan’s gas and energy crisis are being felt across the nation. The recourse to natural gas as the dominant energy resource was rooted in the belief that low cost, abundant domestic reserves will continue to provide a relatively clean fuel.

The crisis reached a crescendo in the winter months of 2022-23. Gas shortages, once an occasional problem became a perpetual nightmare. All sectors — industrial, commercial and domestic – felt the pinch. Many factories grounded to a halt, some businesses struggled to keep their lights on and a lot of households shivered in the cold.

The problem did not go away with the winter. The entire summer of 2023 was gas-deficient. Many areas of the country faced gas loadshedding even on hot days. The intensity of the problem was felt severely during Ramazan (in April) when both Sui Southern and Sui Northern announced their schedules for gas supply during sehri and iftari hours.

Energy experts fear a more severe shortage of natural gas during the coming winter. Gas prices have increased and the OGRA has raised LPG rates by Rs 21 per kilogram for domestic users.

Dr Mussadik Malik, the former minister of state for petroleum, had pointed out that Pakistan’s gas resources were depleting by 10 percent a year. “We have only 1,600mmcfd (million million cubic feet per day) of gas left while the demand is on the rise,” the minister said in April 2023.

The impact of the shortage is most acutely felt by those least able to bear it — the low-income families. As inflation soars to historic heights, their meagre incomes are little help. Up to a quarter of their earnings is now consumed in securing cooking fuel, leaving scant resources for necessities like education, health, food and shelter. The winter gas shortages ruthlessly drain whatever meagre savings they might have managed throughout the year.

Many areas in Pakistan get no gas. “Even today, many towns and small cities in the country do not have gas connections. Natural gas connections are not easy to get even in areas serviced by the distribution network. Additionally, there have been long periods when outright bans were imposed on the issuance of new connections,” research conducted by The Knowledge Forum has concluded.

Natural gas remains the preferred fuel for cooking in Pakistan but no longer for heating as utility companies often fail to provide adequate pressure and there are frequent outages. Low-income families are thus forced to make the difficult choice of forgoing heating their homes or water.

The gas and energy crisis calls for united action, heightened awareness, and a deeper comprehension of the climate crisis at hand. Sustainable solutions may appear elusive but are well within our grasp.

As the gas crisis deepens, access to affordable fuel alternatives becomes paramount for borderline-poor households. In the past, when shortages were confined to the winter months, it was a challenge. Now, with gas scarcity stretching throughout the year, low-income families face a constant drain on their resources.

High inflation and dwindling foreign exchange reserves are driving up the fuel import costs. Difficult decisions and compromises on health and education have become inevitable for many households.

In some areas, impoverished families are turning to wood as a cheaper alternative to gas. The potential harm to local fauna and flora remains largely unaddressed. There are no focused and proactive responses.

Access to alternative fuels is not merely an economic consideration but also a reflection of class distinction. Low-income families are trapped in a competitive sellers’ market, where affordability dictates access. The natural gas subsidy, once a lifeline, is no longer available.

Choices in alternative fuels are quite limited. Wood, a traditional choice, is likely the most practical for urban dwellers.

The crisis has worsened over time. Some consumers naively believe that more efficient allocation can resolve the problem.

Awareness of environmental concerns is notably rare. Consumers prioritise immediate energy needs over clean and sustainable alternatives. Fuels that do not emit visible smoke are often perceived as environmentally friendly. Even at the policy level, the discussion revolves around foreign exchange losses through imports and often ignores the environmental damage.

The proposed solutions often focus on narrow self-interest and range from separate pipelines to priority allocations. These band-aid solutions do little to address the underlying supply shortfall or the broader implications of fossil fuel use.

Yet, not all hope is lost. Some voices are echoing a demand for renewable resources, mainly solar energy. These come from provincial capitals and reflect a more aware consumer base that seeks sustainable solutions beyond the usual knee-jerk reactions.

The gas and energy crisis is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a profound challenge to the nation’s well-being. It demands collective action, awareness and a broad understanding of the climate crisis. Some of the sustainable solutions are within reach but the journey requires a shift away from fossil fuels and a leap towards clean alternatives.

The crisis calls for united action, heightened awareness and a deeper comprehension of the climate crisis at hand. The journey may be arduous, but it is essential for securing a brighter and more sustainable future.

The writer is a senior journalist. He works at a news channel in Karachi. He can be reached at shuja98@gmail.com