Business Recorder
EDITORIAL: Pakistan has finally moved towards a nationwide energy conservation drive, but the uneven adoption of measures across provinces exposes a familiar weakness: policy without uniform execution risks diluting impact at precisely the moment discipline is most needed. With markets ordered to close early in most parts of the country while Sindh remains undecided, the conservation effort begins on a fragmented footing. The urgency behind these measures is not in question. The Iran-US-Israel conflict has disrupted global energy flows, pushed fuel prices higher and forced governments worldwide to ration consumption. Pakistan, already operating with limited fiscal space and structural inefficiencies in its energy sector, has little choice but to follow suit. Early market closures, restrictions on non-essential lighting and curbs on commercial activity are necessary responses to a tightening supply environment. Yet necessity alone does not ensure effectiveness. The current approach appears reactive rather than coordinated. Provinces have moved at different speeds, with varying rules and timelines, creating uncertainty for businesses and weakening the overall conservation effort. Energy management, by its nature, requires consistency. When one part of the system adjusts while another prevaricates, the gains are marginal at best. There is also a deeper issue with how these measures are structured. Closing markets at 8pm or 9pm addresses consumption at the margin, but it does not fully exploit the most efficient solution available: aligning economic activity with daylight hours. A shift towards earlier opening and earlier closure, bringing business activity closer to daylight cycles and shutting down by early evening, would yield far greater savings. This is neither a novel idea nor an untested one. It has been proposed repeatedly, yet rarely implemented with the consistency required to make a difference. The reluctance to adopt such a shift reflects a broader pattern. Energy conservation in Pakistan has often been approached as a temporary adjustment rather than a structural change. Measures are introduced during periods of crises, enforced unevenly and gradually relaxed once immediate pressures ease. The result is a cycle in which the same problems reappear, each time requiring more drastic interventions. At the same time, the allocation of available energy remains suboptimal. In a constrained environment, prioritisation becomes critical. Industry, which drives exports and employment, requires reliable supply. Households, particularly in urban centres, depend on predictable electricity for daily life. Commercial activity, while important, often consumes disproportionate amounts of energy during peak hours without corresponding economic value. Redirecting supply towards productive sectors, while enforcing stricter limits on discretionary consumption, would improve overall efficiency. The pushback from traders, particularly in provinces where early closures have been enforced, is not unexpected. Businesses facing inflation, declining demand and rising operating costs view reduced hours as an additional burden. These concerns are valid, but they do not negate the underlying constraint. Energy shortages cannot be resolved through negotiation alone. The challenge for policymakers is to design measures that minimise disruption while achieving meaningful savings. The broader economic context adds another layer of complexity. Rising fuel costs, subsidy pressures and fiscal constraints limit the government’s ability to cushion the impact of these measures. This makes efficient conservation even more important. Every unit of energy saved through better management reduces the need for more expensive alternatives and limits the burden on public finances. Pakistan is not alone in facing these challenges. Countries across the world are adjusting to a more volatile energy environment. The difference lies in execution. Where policies are applied uniformly and supported by clear priorities, the impact is visible. Where implementation is uneven, the benefits are diluted. The current conservation drive is a step in the right direction, but its effectiveness will depend on whether it evolves into a coherent national strategy. Aligning provincial policies, shifting economic activity towards daylight hours and prioritising energy use based on economic value are practical steps that can be taken immediately. The crisis has imposed constraints that cannot be ignored. The response must therefore move beyond fragmented measures towards disciplined, coordinated action. Without that shift, conservation will remain an aspiration rather than a solution. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Go to News Site