Energy Independence and to a Viable Options for Energy Future in Pakistan

Energy Independence and to a Viable Options for Energy Future in Pakistan

By Aamara Rabbani

The energy deficit/crisis in Pakistan has topped the major issues and challenges in Pakistan and energy crisis is now considered as national security issue of country. The total mounted capacity for power generation by public, private and government sector is not enough even for the running time period. The Pakistan’s current power supply capacity cannot catch up with the power demand that continues to increase years after years. These circumstances made the public to accept the scheduled and un-scheduled power outages for un-limited hours. It’s not only immense loss of industrial sector also causing un-employment and high cost of products which comes up with increased inflation.

Pakistan’s energy Security Corporation with America put forward the option of civil nuclear energy which is vital to drop off the energy crisis. Due to the advance and recycle capacity of civil nuclear technology it is a most viable energy resource especially for nuclear country. Pakistan has sturdy safety and security mechanism under the name of nuclear command and control system.  The security of its nuclear weapons is Pakistan prime concern especially if it is to have any hope of securing a more stable regional, economic and security environment and gain access to civil nuclear technology. Current debates on energy policy, profoundly influencing the way decision-makers think about a range of issues from national and economic security to international diplomacy.

The tightening of global energy markets in recent years has led energy consuming nations to realize how dependent they are on energy exporting nations that may not share their security concerns. This sense of uncertainty is deepened by the knowledge that many of exporters are acutely vulnerable to a variety of disruptions beyond their control. As Pakistan is concerned to have civil nuclear deal with America as it has happened before in South Asia. There is two main points emerges, first is nuclear energy security mechanism and second is the delicate relationship between energy importing nations and energy exporting nations. As far as Pakistan is concerned, Pakistan nuclear command and control is most powerful mechanism of world and relationship between importing and exporting states have assumed an increasingly important role in international relations. Therefore, stability of supply and demands has become issue of national security for both parties to this relationship.

Pakistan national security imperative encompasses a border range of ideas than just defence. The primary goal fits into ongoing debates, particularly those about the need for energy independence; it seems to equate energy independence and energy security. Although, a more comprehensive notion of energy security should take into account three principles that supersede the objective of independence: resilience, diversity of supply and global interdependence. Pakistan sought to increase investment in research and development of Thar-Coal and hydro energy projects to promote energy efficiency and energy independence. Green Technology, Thar-Coal and Hydro Power sort of projects are also best way for resilience as a “security margin” which makes state to absorb any minor shocks to its energy supply and facilitate recovery after disruptions. It may be a buffer zone for energy reserves/resources.  In conclusion, Pakistan has aimed to improve its resilience to threats and short fall of energy resources by all means.