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Climate Change and Dirty Electricity Generation In Pakistan: Existential Crisis
By Engineer Arshad H Abbasi Pakistan, despite possessing the sixth-largest nuclear arsenal, has been rendered economically vulnerable due to its failing power sector. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, during the World Economic Forum in April 2024, highlighted the economic devastation caused by the energy sector and climate change. There is a significant lack of understanding within the government regarding the linkage between electricity generation and climate change. This has led to a drastic reduction in hydroelectricity production and increased reliance on thermal and coal-fired power plants, resulting in higher electricity costs and rapid depletion of natural gas reserves Pakistan’s power sector woes have now created an existential crisis for the country contributing to premature deindustrialization and severe energy poverty for the people. The staggering circular debt, on the other hand, is another headache that the government faces – literally a noose around its neck. A 2022 report [1] asserts that “IPPs have committed fraud to the tune of Rs 4.0 trillion over the last twenty years (Rs 200 billion each year) mainly through invoicing errors, misinterpretation of power purchase agreements, and blatant over-invoicing of plant costs.” Critics call it a heist that is now bleeding Pakistan’s economy. This CRSS report – authored by Engineer Arshad Abbasi - highlights yet another extremely damaging dimension of IPPs heist; namely, the intimate and unaccounted costs of IPPs emissions on climate change as well as lost opportunity to lower generation costs, both for the industrial and residential consumers. The report underlines that Pakistani government negligently never promoted retrofitting of thermal plants to use UNFCCC facilities to increase efficiency and reduce fuel consumption per unit of older and inefficient power plants. This report presents example of lackluster GoP commitment to support retrofitting application by two IPPs to UNFCCC in March 2013. It...
Pak-Afghan Relationship: Deconstructing Divisive Narratives through Youth Dialogue, Understanding, and Social Emersion
Organized by: The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and University of Peshawar, Pakistan Introduction As part of the Beyond Boundaries project, CRSS organized a session with Afghan students studying at various universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), in collaboration with the Shaikh Zayed Islamic Center at the University of Peshawar (UoP). The goal was to engage in an open dialogue with Afghan youth to understand their perceptions of Pakistan and encourage them as ambassadors of peace, equipped with critical thinking skills to counter false narratives prevalent on social media. Objective Recognizing the pivotal role of youth in shaping the future of Pakistan and Afghanistan, the discussion aimed to address their unique challenges. These include limited economic opportunities, exposure to divisive media narratives, and a lack of constructive dialogue platforms. By addressing these issues, the session sought to empower Afghan youth to contribute positively to bilateral relations. Event Discussion Dr. Aamer Raza, a Fulbright scholar and senior academician at UoP, emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges in dispelling myths and building trust between the two nations. He highlighted the historical complexities affecting bilateral relations and stressed the need for local perspectives in policymaking. Dr. Raza noted that direct interaction between the citizens of Pakistan and Afghanistan could play a crucial role in mitigating misunderstandings and fostering a sense of shared history and future. The session, attended by 22 Afghan students (11 male and 11 female), provided a platform for them to voice their opinions and experiences. They expressed gratitude to CRSS for facilitating candid discussions and acknowledged the support of the Pakistani government in their education. However, they also raised several issues affecting bilateral relations, such as the stigmatization of Afghan students and bureaucratic hurdles in visa and...
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Who is more lethal: Terrorist organizations or Pakistani politicians & bureaucrats?
Arshad H Abbasi May 22, 2024 Pakistan’s government has failed to address the country’s significant contribution to global emissions, with the power industry accounting for over 40% of carbon emissions. Corruption and rising net metering have led to a decline in energy users, who are rebelling against the corrupt power elite. Despite this, net-metering and photovoltaic panels offer a solution, with the potential to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030. Adopting a net-zero model could save Pakistan $4 billion annually and $2 billion in circular debt. Urgent action is needed to transition to sustainable energy and meet global emissions reduction goals. I will begin my essay with a quote from UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s speech to the Security Council on 22 Feb 2022: “International peace and stability are more at risk from climate change than terrorism.” The production of electricity is accountable for more than 40% of all energy-related emissions, a fact supported by scientific research. The primary cause of carbon emissions into the atmosphere and the primary driver of climate change is the burning of coal, gas, oil, or liquefied natural gas (NGL) to generate electricity. The Pakistani government never thought to translate the UN’s global vision. Bravo to the 250 million Pakistanis who have installed rooftop solar systems in large numbers in response to the UN’s call to stabilize climate change worldwide. Over the roof-top solar system’s phenomenal growth, the government is giving up. Energy users are rebelling against the dishonest power elite that controls NEPRA, the Ministry of Power, and the Ministry of Petroleum. Unfortunately, widespread corruption has caused Pakistan, once a powerful nation, to crumble. The 250 million people of Pakistan were targeted by the unholy alliance of bureaucrats and the National Power Regulator NEPRA when they were sending inexpensive electricity to the national grid. They don’t realize that their actions undermined the...
EMPOWERED, UNITED YOUTH ARE KEY TO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: AMBASSADOR ASIF DURRANI
Not arms, but critical thinking, unity, and passion for change can drive the youth of this region forward. They need to have an inquisitive mind to question socio-economic injustices. These remarks were made by Ambassador Durrani, Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, addressing a gathering of Afghan and Pakistani youth leaders, hosted by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) as part of Pak-Afghan Youth Peace Initiative – Building Bridges, Improving Perceptions. The envoy urged the youth from both sides to take an active role in regional development by focusing on their education, skills, and personal growth as they are the future leaders of the countries. Regarding the sociopolitical situation in Afghanistan, he said that the pursuit of common interests in a fair socio-political environment is intrinsically linked to unity. By fostering solidarity, empathy, and collaboration, Afghans, especially the youth, can create a more just, developed, and equitable nation where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to the greater good. The youth of Afghanistan has the opportunity to change Afghanistan’s decades-long label of ‘conflict zone’ and take an active part in nation-building. The participating Afghan youth voiced their concerns on the issues facing the education landscape in Afghanistan, particularly for females, the delays in visa issuance for Afghan students studying in Pakistan, as well as the challenges faced by those who have to return to Afghanistan due to their illegal status or expiration of the visa. Mehnaz Akbar Aziz, former MNA, also joined the discussion where she underscored the significant role youth dialogues play in fostering unity between Pakistan and Afghanistan and that engaging the youth from both nations is crucial for bridging diplomatic gaps and building mutual understanding. She highlighted opportunities for youth engagement, such as academic exchanges and collaborative projects, which can help bridge...
Intersection of Climate Change and Gender-Based Violence Focused Group Discussion
As the world grapples with the increasing impacts of climate change, it is crucial to recognize and address its disproportionate effects on women, particularly in vulnerable regions like Pakistan. The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in its recent focused group discussion, the Intersection of Climate Change and Gender Based Violence (GBV) highlighted the urgent need for action to address (GBV) in the context of climate change in Pakistan. The discussion, attended by experts and stakeholders from various sectors, shed light on the crisscross of the rising threats of climate change and the GBV, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by women and girls during climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and extreme weather events. Naseer Memon, a consultant on climate change, disaster management and resettlement, drew attention to the profound impact of climate change on women, particularly in the context of natural disasters. He highlighted the devastating floods of 2022, which ravaged twenty-four districts in Pakistan, prompting mass migration to urban centers like Karachi and Hyderabad. He emphasized the disproportionate vulnerability of women in these crises, where they faced calamitous conditions in displacement camps characterized by inadequate access to essential facilities such as toilets, menstrual hygiene products, and healthcare services. Memon underscored the additional challenges faced by pregnant women and those with physical disabilities, who encountered heightened risks and obstacles during disasters. By spotlighting these realities, Memon advocated for urgent action to address the unique needs of women in disaster response and mitigation efforts, emphasizing the importance of gender-sensitive approaches to ensure their safety and well-being. Jaya Jaggi, a consultant on climate change and human rights advocate, stressed how women, particularly in patriarchal societies like Pakistan, face increased vulnerability to sexual...
Circular Debt Reduction is Possible in a Single Click to Save Pakistan from Financial Catastrophe and Destabilization
By Engineer Arshad H Abbasi Pakistan’s power sector is a leaking bucket: the holes deliberately crafted, and the leaks carefully collected as economic rents by various stakeholders who control the system. It is a self-evident truth that our power sector is bedevilled by corruption, greed, inefficiency, and injustice. While this is so, the bills have continued to increase. The main hole in the power sector bucket is circular debt, aside from expensive electricity. In Pakistan's power sector, circular debt is a public debt that builds up on distribution companies as a result of unpaid government subsidies. When this occurs, the country's debt is exacerbated because the distribution companies are unable to pay IPPs and CPEP Power Plants, who in turn are unable to pay fuel suppliers. Pakistan's total circular debt as of March 2024 was Rs. 3,000 billion. Pakistan is in the midst of political and economic turmoil, with record inflation primarily due to the high cost of electricity to the extent that it is now challenging national sovereignty and has posted the lowest GDP since the country's creation. The majority of Pakistanis pay bills that are far higher than their monthly income, which is the worst of all. The cost hike is all because of circular debt in the power sector. Moving from cheap hydroelectricity to imported oil, coal, and LNG-fired power plants is the fundamental cause of the circular debt and the enormous price increase for electricity. While expensive electricity generation has put a severe strain on the nation's finances, it is now challenging national sovereignty. The extraordinary unrest, protests, and dissent caused by electricity in Azad Kashmir during the second week of May shocked Islamabad and served as a sobering reminder that the electricity sector poses the greatest threat to national security. Hydropower was once a major source of energy in Pakistan, accounting for nearly 60% or more of all electricity generation until 1991. However, this...
Building Bridges, Improving Perceptions
Pak-Afghan Youth Peace Initiative We're thrilled to share the success of our recent Pak-Afghan Youth Peace Initiative's kickoff event hosted by CRSS at the University of Peshawar, Bara Gali campus. Over three interactive and immersive days, we engaged in meaningful dialogue, workshops, and cultural exchanges aimed at fostering understanding and peace between Pakistani and Afghan youth. Facilitated by CRSS in collaboration with the Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar, and the Afghanistan Women Association (AWA), this initiative brought together sixteen bright minds, eight from Pakistan and eight from Afghanistan, to discuss critical issues and explore avenues for cooperation. Highlights included: 🔹 Insightful discussions on regional challenges and opportunities. 🔹 Workshops on youth leadership, peacebuilding processes, and climate resilience led by field experts. 🔹 Engaging sessions on narrative building and climate sustainability. 🔹 Cultural night featuring enchanting performances, bonfire, and camaraderie. As we reflect on the program's impact, we're energized by the commitment of our youth participants to drive positive change in their communities through their social action plans. Their passion and dedication inspire us to continue our efforts in promoting peace and stability in the region. The project is led by Elsa Imdad Hussain, Global UGRAD-Pakistan alumna and CRSS research fellow. Elsa secured this grant through the Global UGRAD Pakistan Big Ideas Challenge grants. The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming phases of the initiative, including meetings with high government officials, social action plans, and mainstream media engagements.
Youth, Politics, and Democracy in Pakistan- An Intersectional Perspective
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) extends its heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated efforts of its core research team, particularly acknowledging the lead author Elsa Imdad, as well as the valuable contributions of Zehra Zaidi and Shahana Naseer. We are also indebted to the young participants of our focused group discussions and in-depth interviews, whose insights enriched the essence of this research. Furthermore, we express our sincere appreciation to the subject matter experts for their invaluable commentary on the target issues. Their expert input has greatly enhanced the value of our work, enabling us to formulate policy recommendations for policymakers and legislators with greater precision and relevance.
An Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan
Dear Prime Minister, I would like to draw your attention to the remarks made by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on April 22 in the National Assembly. In that speech, he stated that Pakistan cannot take any legal action against India's "water aggression" in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and that India maintains the right to water from the River Ravi under a legally binding treaty. The law minister’s ignorance and the Indian move to completely stop the flow of the Ravi River into Pakistan may mean death to Lahore’s groundwater in its vicinity. This will happen because the recently constructed Shahpur Kandi dam allows India to keep 1150 cubic seconds of water previously headed for Pakistan. Apparently, the Minister didn’t consult these reports before offering a blanket statement. Dear Prime Minister, I shall request the Law Minister to review the historical flow data of the river below the Indo-Pak border for information, as it indicates that the average annual flow in Ravi has varied between 1.1 and 2.2 MAF between 2000 and 2023. Even so, this flow is insufficient. Due to Lahore's extraordinary population growth, the water level is already decreasing by 2 to 3 feet annually. What would happen if Lahore, the 26th-largest city in the world with a population of over 15 million, runs out of water if the river's water supply is cut off? I think the law minister cannot imagine this scenario. It was expected that a rapid decrease in the groundwater level of Lahore which is directly proportional to the flow in the Ravi River Pakistan’s ministries would have demanded India ensure the minimum environmental flow as per the formula that India agreed to in the court of arbitration in Kishanganga Arbitration for Naleem River. But it didn’t happen because of the criminal silence of both ministries. The minister ignored – wilfully or otherwise - legitimate mathematical and scientific facts that the Ravi River is estimated to contribute more than 80% of the...
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I am also a member of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting. Recently, we held a meeting with the Director General of Radio Pakistan and we told them to initiate such local programs (like Constituency Hour) in regional languages to educate and inform people. Even Indian Radio can be heard in FATA which is being used for propaganda purposes and must be closed. Therefore, we should launch some standard and quality programs like CRSS that will change the taste of the listeners.