New Delhi, The war in Russia and Ukraine has had a devastating effect on neighboring Pakistan. Many cities in Pakistan, which are going through a severe economic crisis, are experiencing 12-hour power outages.
Pakistan, a decade ago, awarded contracts to supply LNG to Italian and Qatari companies as part of a new energy policy.
As the LNG prices have risen globally due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, the above companies are making a profit by selling LNG at higher prices instead of supplying to Pakistan.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s power plant and fertilizer plant are facing shortage of LNG. The government of Pakistan is struggling but is not getting adequate supply of LNG. As a result of which power plants are shutting down and Pakistan is having to cut off power for 12 hours, even at a time when heat wave is raging in many parts of Pakistan.
Government employees are given leave on Saturdays to save electricity. Security personnel budgets have been slashed by 50 per cent and wedding ceremonies have been banned. The gas supply of the fertilizer plant is currently being supplied to the power plant. Mobile service has also disappeared in many parts of Pakistan due to lack of electricity. SS2KP