The Collapse of a Nation’s Power
Pakistan’s energy crisis is not just an inconvenience—it is a national catastrophe that has crippled industries, strangled economic growth, and plunged millions into darkness. This crisis is not merely the result of natural resource shortages but the inevitable consequence of decades of systemic corruption, poor governance, and a widespread disregard for scientific progress. At its core, this disaster stems from a deliberate neglect of mechanical engineering, technical expertise, and sustainable energy solutions.
As a country rich in coal, hydropower, and solar energy resources, Pakistan should not be struggling with daily power cuts, inflated energy costs, and a failing grid. Yet, due to corrupt politicians, an unaccountable military-industrial complex, and an education system that produces underqualified engineers, Pakistan has fallen into an energy abyss. With the gap between the rich and the poor widening every single day, the elite enjoy imported luxuries while the middle and lower classes struggle to afford basic necessities like food and electricity.
A Resource-rich Rich Country Devoid of Vision
Pakistan is not devoid of energy resources. The Thar coal reserves, estimated at 175 billion tons, remain largely untapped due to poor planning, mismanagement, and environmental concerns that are conveniently ignored elsewhere in the world. The Indus River system offers vast potential for hydroelectric power, yet bureaucratic inefficiency and corruption have prevented the construction of large-scale dams. Similarly, solar and wind energy projects remain stagnant due to bureaucratic red tape and a lack of incentives for engineers and entrepreneurs.
The real tragedy is not the absence of energy – it is in fact the absence of foresight, planning, and investment in the right sectors. Countries like China, India, and even Bangladesh have adopted diverse energy solutions, while Pakistan continues to import expensive oil and struggles with outdated power plants that fail to meet modern energy demands.
Undervaluing Mechanical Engineering
One of the greatest failures in addressing the energy crisis is the neglect of mechanical engineering and technical expertise. Engineering, which should have been the backbone of national development, has been systematically ignored and undervalued.
Each year, universities produce thousands of engineers, yet most graduates lack hands-on experience, technical knowledge, and proper training in power generation, grid management, and energy solutions. As a result, they are unable, in fact, incapable to contribute meaningfully to the energy sector.
Neither the state nor the private sector invests in research and development, leaving Pakistan dependent on foreign expertise to fix its failing infrastructure. Countries like Germany, South Korea, and even Iran have flourishing engineering sectors, while Pakistan’s engineers are either underpaid, overworked, or simply ignored.
Mechanical engineers – who should be building turbines, repairing power plants, and optimizing energy grids – are forced to work in fields outside their areas of expertise, leave the country, or face unemployment. Without a strong foundation in mechanical engineering, no country can solve its energy crisis, and Pakistan is no exception.
Corruption: The Root of the Crisis
Corruption in Pakistan’s energy sector is legendary, with political elites, bureaucrats, and the military-industrial complex sabotaging the energy industry for personal gain.
Power plants are deliberately kept inefficient, forcing the government to import expensive energy and allowing middlemen to profit.
Private power companies, known as Independent Power Producers (IPPs), receive government subsidies, but instead of investing in modern technology, they inflate bills, cut corners, and exploit the public.
Corrupt contracts with foreign companies lead to deliberate overpricing, making electricity more expensive for common citizens compared to neighboring countries.
Military-run energy projects, often prioritized over civilian needs, are rarely efficient, transparent, or cost-effective.
The elite class, through political maneuvering and monopolies, continues to exploit the energy crisis for profit while the ordinary citizen suffers from load-shedding, price hikes, and stagnant economic growth.
A Failing Education System: Producing Incompetent Engineers
Pakistan’s education system is a disgrace, and the country’s engineering sector is one of its biggest casualties. Instead of producing skilled scientists, physicists, and energy experts, universities have become degree factories where students memorize theory but never touch an actual power plant or conduct real-world research.
Engineering students graduate without exposure to real-world applications, as universities lack modern labs, research funding, and industrial partnerships.
Nepotism and corruption in academia result in unqualified professors holding key positions, sidelining talented students in favor of well-connected mediocrities.
Technical institutions that should be producing skilled mechanics, power technicians, and turbine experts are either neglected or shut down.
Countries like China and Germany invest heavily in STEM education, ensuring their energy sectors have a steady supply of talented engineers. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s political and feudal elite see science as irrelevant and invest nothing in research and development.
The Military’s Role in the Crisis
Pakistan’s military elite controls vast parts of the energy infrastructure, yet it contributes little to real solutions. The military’s involvement in business and industry often prioritizes profit over progress.
Military-owned energy companies receive preferential treatment, yet they fail to deliver reliable power.
Dams and power plants meant for civilian use are often redirected to serve military bases and elite housing societies.
Scientists and energy experts are often sidelined in favor of military-run development projects that prioritize financial gain over sustainability.
An obsession with defense spending diverts crucial funding away from energy, infrastructure, and scientific innovation – leaving the country weak and vulnerable.
Food Security & Energy: A Deadly Combination
The energy crisis directly affects food production and distribution. Without stable electricity, farmers cannot operate irrigation systems, run cold storage units, or transport goods efficiently.
Frequent power outages lead to massive food spoilage, driving up food prices and worsening inflation.
Food safety is compromised, as refrigeration failures lead to contaminated meat, dairy, and other perishable items.
Middle and lower-class citizens struggle to afford basic food, while the elite continue to import gourmet goods from abroad.
As a result, Pakistan faces both an energy and food crisis, leaving millions at risk of malnutrition and hunger.
The Ultimate Disparity: The Rich Feast, the Poor Starve
The final insult in this tragic energy crisis is the vast inequality between the rich and the poor.
The elite live in air-conditioned mansions, drive luxury cars, and import high-end electronic appliances.
Restaurants, cafes, and malls catering to the rich run on private generators, while ordinary citizens sit in darkness during endless power cuts.
Imported luxury food items, from steaks to Swiss chocolates, are stocked in high-end stores, while the middle class struggles to afford basic meals.
The middle class, once the backbone of Pakistan, can no longer afford even fast food. Inflation, energy prices, and food shortages have drastically reduced their quality of life, while the elite thrive in insulated bubbles of privilege.
A Nation on the Brink
Pakistan’s energy crisis is not just an economic failure – it is a tragedy of corruption, incompetence, and misplaced priorities. Without investment in science, engineering, and sustainable energy solutions, Pakistan will remain trapped in an endless cycle of power shortages and economic decay.
The rich will continue to thrive while the middle and lower classes suffer and struggle for survival. Until the nation prioritizes knowledge over nepotism, science over politics, and innovation over corruption, the lights of progress will remain forever dim.
Credits: CRSS
