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Pakistan is a lower-middle-income country with a population of 231 million. Its GDP per capita in 2023 was $1,505, with a GDP growth rate of only 2.8% per year, while its population growth rate was quite high at 1.8%. Before Covid-19, Pakistan had experienced several years of relatively good GDP growth, at 5-6% per year.
Pakistan's electricity system is considered quite large. The total installed capacity of the electricity system in 2023 was 43,657 MW. Pakistan's electricity production in 2022 was 133 billion kWh. The largest contribution to electricity comes from gas-fired power plants, at 33.29%, followed by hydropower and coal-fired power plants.
Production stalled after two years of Covid and historic floods, plunging Pakistan into a vicious cycle: poverty meant people couldn't afford electricity, power shortages drove up domestic product prices, hindering production growth and perpetuating poverty.
Following the crisis caused by the floods, the people here are also facing a severe electricity shortage.
Mountain tourism in Pakistan is growing rapidly as tourists increasingly seek out the country's unspoiled areas with fresh air.
Residents in these areas are facing an increasingly severe electricity crisis. Tourism development, combined with a rapidly growing population, has placed immense pressure on the power supply. The already serious problem of power outages, often lasting up to 18 hours a day, now threatens to worsen.
The main reason is that tourists use more electricity than locals for activities such as lighting, using electronic devices, cooking, etc. In addition, the power grid in mountainous areas is often old, dilapidated, and unable to meet the increasing demand. Traditional power sources such as hydropower are being affected by climate change, causing a decrease in water supply to hydroelectric plants.
Life without electricity is difficult for people in the mountainous regions of Pakistan.
Residents are experiencing power outages lasting for hours each day, impacting their daily lives, studies, and businesses. The use of diesel-powered backup generators contributes to increased environmental pollution. The power shortage crisis discourages tourists and negatively impacts the region's tourism reputation.
Pakistan's 7,000 glaciers are melting rapidly. While melting ice may temporarily increase the amount of water available for electricity generation, it will affect storage capacity in the long term, reducing the electricity supply. Meanwhile, tourism growth coupled with population increase is exacerbating the electricity shortage.
While tourists visiting Pakistan's mountainous regions may not be affected by power shortages, thanks to hotels using solar panels or generators, locals are not so fortunate. These amenities are considered luxuries, beyond the reach of most residents.
The people of Skardu, one of Pakistan's popular mountain tourism destinations, have not only failed to benefit from tourism development but also face the risk of their lives becoming literally "darker." They live in a state of power scarcity, which affects not only daily life but also hinders economic and educational activities.
Prolonged power shortages force people to resort to makeshift solutions like oil lamps or flashlights, increasing living costs and reducing quality of life. The lack of electricity also hinders the development of small businesses, agricultural production, and other commercial activities.
To improve the situation, the government needs to implement special support policies for people in mountainous areas, including providing affordable solar energy equipment, improving power grid infrastructure, and promoting renewable energy projects. At the same time, tourism businesses should also assume social responsibility, contributing to improving the living conditions of local people through community development and environmental protection programs.
