Energy security |
ENERGY security is now national security for Pakistan. The war in the Middle East has made that clear. A conflict beyond our borders now threatens the shipments, foreign exchange stability and remittance flows that underpin Pakistan’s economy. For a country heavily dependent on imported energy, the risks are immediate.
Pakistan therefore faces an urgent strategic task: reducing its exposure to volatile imported fuel. The best way to do that is to accelerate the shift towards domestic energy sources through a credible energy transition and investment plan (ETIP).
For years, Pakistan’s dependence on imported fuel has been treated mainly as an economic vulnerability. It widens the trade deficit, weakens the currency and fuels inflation when global prices rise. But the current conflict highlights a deeper risk: when energy supplies are disrupted, the consequences ripple quickly through the wider economy.
The Strait of Hormuz sits at the centre of this exposure. In 2025, Asia absorbed around 87 per cent of the crude oil and 86pc of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) passing through the strait. Pakistan relies heavily on these flows. When shipping routes tighten or markets become uncertain, countries without deep pockets can........