One afternoon, my mom’s phone buzzed with an unexpected notification. It was a warning from her AccuCheck Diabetes monitoring app. “Caution: Blood Sugar Error”. For a few moments, we just stared at the screen, unsure what it meant. The very next day, my mom went to the hospital for a checkup. Blood tests revealed that her blood sugar levels had been spiking so much that her liver and kidneys had started slowly deteriorating. Without timely intervention, she could have developed diabetic ketoacidosis.
But it isn’t her diagnosis that matters here; it’s the technology that detected it. That alert was more than a notification; it was a digital reflection of her body predicting danger before it became irreversible. In a world full of data, Digital twins are transforming how we prevent risks rather than react to them.
This app represents a simple form of what is known as a Digital Twin. A Digital Twin is a virtual replica of a physical entity that is continuously updated with real-time data. It is fed with real data from the patient, their medical results, history, and health monitors. Unlike traditional simulations, it evolves as the patient’s condition changes, allowing doctors to anticipate complications before they occur.
In conditions such as cancer, where treatment must be highly personalized, this precision becomes critical. Here, a digital Twin is used as an online clone for examinations instead. Doctors can view each patient’s unique profile and test treatments and outcomes in a completely risk-free environment. Making it is safer for patients, faster for time-sensitive diseases, and cost-effective for the economically challenged. This shifts healthcare from reactive to preventive so that doctors can anticipate outcomes rather than just waiting for them.
A Digital Twin is a virtual replica of a physical entity that is continuously updated with real-time data. Photo, Beyon
For people living with Diabetes, predictive monitoring systems are like an extra layer of protection. Patients have reported that timely alerts prevented severe episodes that would have led to hospitalization.
Beyond Healthcare, Digital Twins originated in Engineering. Michael Grieves, who first formalized the Digital Twin concept, defined it as “a set of virtual information constructs that fully describes a potential or actual physical manufactured product.” This concept has been used in manufacturing and industry to create virtual copies of machinery for testing quality control, optimization, and potential failures.
They can even be used in architecture by modeling entire cities to improve planning for traffic management, disaster management, and safety against catastrophes like floods, and for energy efficiency by dividing electricity and water optimally across different sectors. Environmental scientists use similar models to simulate ecosystems and predict the long-term impacts of climate change.
Digital Twins in Engineering
In aviation, an Aircraft’s Digital Twin is not a 3D Model but, in fact, a living simulation fed by sensors with actual flight data to replicate exact conditions. At Airbus, it is used every step of the way from production to maintenance.
Platforms such as Skywise by Airbus are real applications of digital twins to ensure aircraft safety, from checking its wings to jet engines. Photo, Belcan
Siemens Xcelerator Digital Twin Simulator is used in the Industry by Companies such as Natilus, whose CEO, Aleksey Matyushev, says, “The wow factor was huge. It was the first time we ever saw the scale of what we’re building.”
Traditionally, aircraft maintenance was performed on fixed schedules or only after a malfunction. But now, Predictive Maintenance is used to predict issues in advance and ensure no mishap occurs in the sky by fixing them preemptively. Platforms such as Skywise by Airbus are real applications of digital twins to ensure aircraft safety, from checking its wings to jet engines, so that none of its parts fall into suboptimal conditions.
What will be their Role in the Future?
As artificial intelligence continues to advance, Digital Twins are expected to become more autonomous and adaptive, offering not only predictions but also optimized solutions in real time. However, the future impact of Digital Twins will depend on responsible governance, ethical data use, and equitable access to prevent technological inequality.
Just as Digital Twins protected one patient, my mom, they can be used to protect entire aircraft, cities, industries, and even the planet. From individual health to global ecosystems, Digital Twins allow humanity to anticipate risks rather than merely react to them. Engineering the duplicate may ultimately be how we preserve the original.
More than 50 years have passed since America’s Apollo missions made history by landing humans on the Moon for the very first time in July 1969. That monumental achievement marked the culmination of nearly a decade of intense scientific effort, engineering innovation, and national determination during the Space Race — a defining chapter in human exploration. NASA just took another giant leap and launched the “Artemis II” mission.
And, while NASA’s Artemis II crew won’t make a lunar landing themselves, their ambitious mission over the next 10 days represents a critical step forward in humanity’s return to deep space. Flying aboard the Orion spacecraft, the four-person crew will complete a crewed flyby of the Moon, testing vital life support systems, navigation, and communication technologies. Their successful voyage will lay the essential groundwork — and pave the way — for the next historic human footsteps on the lunar surface.
During their trip, the four astronauts on board will fly 6,400 miles (10,299km) beyond the far side of the Moon. This side always faces away from Earth –marking the first time this has been achieved.
According to NASA officials, during these three hours, the crew will analyse and photograph geologic features, such as impact craters and ancient lava flows. These observations will assist future missions to explore the Moon’s South Pole region.
During the mission, a few studies will be conducted on theastronauts’ health, which will also help NASA better understand the deep space travel issues that can affect the human mind and body, protecting astronauts on future lunar missions and on travel to Mars.
File photo of Yasir Tufail with the Orion Capsule.
If the crew passes safely around the Moon on this trip, NASA’s goal is for Artemis IV and V to become lunar landing missions, and it aims for both to happen in 2028.
Pakistani Scientist Yasir Tufail, who has been associated with the JWST mission, has witnessed the historic launch. He shares his feelings at the historic launch and says, “What a day this is. We are going back to the Moon. The Moon is a big deal for people like me. The people on the Artemis II crew are going to do something that has not been done in a long time. They are going to fly around the Moon.”
“The last time people did this was on Apollo 17. That was back in 1972. The Moon has been left alone for over 50 years. Now the Artemis II crew is going to the Moon. It is like we are going back to visit a friend. The Artemis II crew is making history. I have a lot of feelings about the Moon and the Artemis II crew going back to the Moon. The Moon is waiting for the Artemis II crew”, Yasir adds.
The Artemis program is NASA’s series of missions to enable humanity’s return to the Moon. NASA collaborates with US commercial and international partners to establish the first long-term human-robotic presence on and around the Moon. The Gateway, a vital component of NASA’s Artemis program, serves as a multi-purpose outpost orbiting the Moon that provides essential support for a long-term human return to the lunar surface and a staging point for deep space exploration.
Energy transition is one of the pressing issues of our era, and young people in this scenario are crucial stakeholders. Across bustling be cities and quiet villages, a quiet revolution is underway, and its spark comes not from fossil fuels, but from the sun, the wind, and young, innovative minds. 1
The region of Asia-Pacific is home to over 60 per cent of the world’s population, and about 60 per cent of the youth population. Like in every other region, young people are central to driving a just energy transition, as they are both major stakeholders in energy demand in future and powerful agents of change. Through their skills of innovation, entrepreneurship, research, and advocacy, youth are introducing and advancing renewable technologies, influencing policy, and pushing for climate justice and social equity.
While they are building global networks and creating new economic opportunities, many young people still face barriers such as limited access to funding and platforms. Empowering youth with skills, resources, and opportunities is essential to achieving a fair and sustainable energy future.1
The Global Clean Energy Boom
Clean energy is tightening its grip on new power generation worldwide. In 2024, renewable sources, including solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal, accounted for more than 90 percent of all new electricity capacity added globally, underscoring the rapid momentum behind zero-emission technologies. 3
Despite this surge, fossil fuels continue to dominate energy consumption, with global use not only persisting but rising. The clean energy transition is increasingly colliding with geopolitical instability and volatile markets, which are reshaping overall trade relationships and straining international cooperation.
At the same time, several countries are scaling back climate commitments even as electricity demand accelerates, placing added stress on power grids and complicating efforts to retire coal, oil and gas.
South Asia relies particularly on imports for nearly two-thirds of its energy, and fossil fuels make up around 80 percent of its energy mix. With the region expected to add about 600 million people over the next three decades, energy demand is poised to surge dramatically, building pressure on the economy and intensifying the challenge of balancing energy security with the pursuit of green transition policies needed to protect the planet. 2
The central challenge facing policymakers is how to meet rapidly growing energy demand while expanding clean power and phasing out fossil fuels. Experts say the transition remains achievable, pointing to the potential for a future powered by clean, affordable and reliable energy, provided governments act to close critical gaps in financing, policy frameworks and infrastructure. 3
In South Asia, solar power output has doubled in just three years, delivering more than 2,000 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024. Wind energy continued its upward trajectory, supplying 8.1 percent of global electricity, while hydropower, the world’s largest single renewable source, held steady at 14 percent of total generation.
“Solar power has become the driving force of the global energy transition,” said Phil MacDonald, managing director of Ember. “When combined with battery storage, solar is emerging as an unstoppable solution. As both the fastest-growing and the largest source of new electricity, it is essential to meet the world’s rapidly rising power demand.” He added that young people are playing a critical role in accelerating this shift through innovation, entrepreneurship, research, and grassroots advocacy that is pushing governments and industries to move faster toward clean energy.
These findings are detailed in Ember’s sixth annual Global Electricity Review. The report offers the first comprehensive picture of the global power system in 2024 using country-level data. It is published alongside the world’s first open dataset on electricity generation for 2024, covering 88 countries responsible for 93 percent of global electricity demand, as well as historical data spanning 215 countries. 4
Youth in South Asia: Powering Change at Home
Young people are increasingly confronting global challenges with creativity and innovation. They are engagingly bringing fresh ideas, shaping the futures they envision, and driving human development for themselves, their communities, and wider society.
The Asia–Pacific region is home to more than 660 million young people aged 15 to 24, many of whom are coming of age amid overlapping crises. The impacts of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing economic instability have deepened existing challenges to the extent of placing intense pressure on this generation. Nearly 63 percent of people across Asia and the Pacific view climate change as a major global emergency and are calling for stronger action from their leaders. At the same time, civic space across the region continues to narrow, with new restrictions introduced over the past five years limiting public participation and youth engagement.
These pressures are compounded by persistent inequalities. Women and girls, rural communities, Indigenous peoples, ethnic and linguistic minorities, persons with disabilities, migrants, gender and sexual minorities, young people, and older persons are disproportionately represented among those being left behind, underscoring the need for more inclusive and equitable development pathways. 5
Pakistan’s rapid solar adoption emerged from a “perfect storm” of economic pressure and market opportunities.
Building Resilience in Climate Hotspots across South Asia
Located between the fragile ecosystems of the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean, South Asia ranks among the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report, extreme weather events pose the greatest threat to the region over the coming decade.
While international policymakers continue negotiations on emissions and climate targets, young leaders across South Asia are taking decisive action at the grassroots level.
In Bangladesh, members of the Dhaka Hub of Global Shapers launched Treelionaire, an ambitious reforestation campaign aimed at restoring green cover in their city. What began as a local initiative has since expanded into a regional movement spanning 27 cities across South Asia, with more than 10,000 trees planted to date.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the Peshawar Hub is advancing climate awareness through innovation and technology. Their project, ClimaSynth, translates complex climate data into accessible knowledge through an AI-powered chatbot, a carbon footprint calculator and interactive educational tools. With plans to scale across the region within the next three years, the initiative seeks to empower thousands with the knowledge and tools needed to take meaningful climate action.
“We’re not just raising awareness, we’re equipping people to act,” said Ubaid Ullah, a member of the project team who also serves at Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.
Together, these youth-led initiatives demonstrate how localised efforts can evolve into scalable, regional solutions, proving that South Asia’s young change makers are not merely responding to the climate crisis but actively shaping resilient futures. 6
Pakistan: Solar in the Fast Lane
Pakistan’s rapid solar adoption emerged from a “perfect storm” of economic pressure and market opportunities. On the demand side, electricity tariffs surged by 155% in just three years, making grid power increasingly unaffordable for households and industries. The withdrawal of subsidies, rising global fuel prices, fixed payments to underutilised fossil-fuel plants and the broader economic crisis further elevated the costs. In agriculture, the removal of diesel subsidies pushed farmers toward solar-powered alternatives.
On the supply side, global solar panel prices fell nearly 50% due to Chinese overproduction, while Pakistan waived duties and sales taxes on solar PV imports until mid-2025. Supportive policies, including favourable net-metering, off-grid solar subsidies and incentives for utility-scale projects, have also added momentum. Between 2019 and 2025, solar panel imports exceeded the country’s total installed power capacity by 2 GW. However, only 0.7 GW was utility-scale and grid-connected, highlighting a significant shift toward small, distributed rooftop systems whose full scale remains difficult to quantify. 7
Bangladesh: Innovation with a Twist
Driven by a vision for sustainable innovation, Abdullah Al Araf, Johora Gulshan Ara and Rahat Uddin from Bangladesh launched the BD Highway Turbine project, an inventive solution that harnesses wind generated by fast-moving vehicles on highways to produce clean, renewable energy. Their intelligent vertical-axis wind turbine is designed to convert highways and coastal corridors into energy-producing zones, offering a low-impact and environmentally friendly alternative power source.
Their breakthrough came in 2023, when nearly 40,000 young innovators applied to GenU’s imaGen Ventures programme, delivered in partnership with Accenture, UNDP, Scouts, Plan International and USAID. In its fourth edition, 10 winning teams were selected to receive funding, mentorship, incubation and technical support to scale their ideas. For the BD Highway Turbine team, the experience proved transformative.
Through intensive boot camps and expert guidance, they strengthened their skills in leadership, communication and teamwork. “Learning effective project management was critical for setting clear goals and navigating challenges,” Rahat shared, while Johora highlighted how the programme enhanced their overall strategic capacity. 8
Since winning, the team has gained recognition both nationally and internationally. “The validation we received through the programme elevated the visibility and credibility of our project within government and non-government circles,” said Johora. They have since secured a grant from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources and showcased their innovation at major national and global exhibitions.
Abdullah also spoke at the Bangladesh Business Innovation Summit 2023, sharing their entrepreneurial journey, and their team represented Bangladesh at an international youth startup exhibition organised by the Club of Young Industrialists and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, further expanding their global network and impact. 8
India: Skills, Startups, and Solar Technicians
Across India, governments and private organisations are training thousands of young people in renewable energy trades. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technicians, wind turbine technicians, and electrical installers are finding steady work, some as employees, and others launching small businesses. In one state initiative, more than 900 rural youth trained in solar tech found jobs or started green enterprises, turning local knowledge into income.
India’s push to strengthen domestic manufacturing is facing setbacks in the solar sector, where limited government funding and a shortage of skilled workers are halting the progress and putting clean energy targets at risk, according to industry leaders. Manufacturers of solar panels, solar cells and storage batteries report rising costs and project delays.
This is raising multiple concerns about India’s ability to cut emissions and meet its global climate commitments. The challenges also highlight gaps in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative, which aims to boost 15 key industries, including renewable energy and electronics, and position India as a global manufacturing hub.
To support local production, the government has imposed tariffs of 40% on Chinese solar panels and 25% on solar cells, alongside allocating roughly $3 billion in production-linked incentives. These measures are part of India’s broader goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
However, industry experts argue that significantly greater investment and stronger workforce training programmes are needed if India is to meet its target of adding 50 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel capacity each year and reaching 500 gigawatts by 2030. 9
As the global fight against climate change intensifies, the renewable energy sector is expanding at an unprecedented pace. Energy systems worldwide are steadily shifting toward cleaner sources such as solar, wind, and battery storage, a transition that not only reduces carbon emissions but also opens vast employment opportunities.
However, this rapid growth has exposed a major challenge: a shortage of skilled professionals capable of meeting the sector’s evolving demands. Bridging this gap is essential not only for job creation but also for accelerating the green transition.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the global energy transition could generate up to 42 million jobs by 2050. In India, the target of achieving 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030 is expected to require more than one million skilled workers. Yet, the supply of trained engineers, technicians and sustainability experts is struggling to keep pace.
Several factors are driving the surge in talent demand. Technological advancements, including AI-enabled energy management systems and advanced battery storage, require specialised expertise. Government incentives and policy support for renewable projects are further increasing workforce needs. Additionally, international climate commitments, such as India’s net-zero emissions goal by 2070, are accelerating investments in green energy infrastructure.
Despite these drivers, critical roles in solar installation, wind turbine maintenance and green hydrogen production remain difficult to fill.
Addressing the skills gap calls for coordinated efforts between governments, industry and educational institutions. Stronger industry-academia collaboration can help develop specialised curricula aligned with market needs, while internships and apprenticeships can provide hands-on training. Governments, meanwhile, can scale up skill development initiatives, such as India’s Skill Council for Green Jobs and offer incentives or subsidies to encourage professionals to pursue careers in renewable energy.
Closing the talent gap will be a key to sustaining the momentum of the global clean energy transition and ensuring that climate goals translate into tangible progress. 10
Beyond South Asia: Young Innovators Making Waves
South Asia is part of a global tapestry of youth leaders in clean energy. In Africa, young apprentices trained in solar installation are powering villages and building careers in renewable tech. Likewise, in Egypt, teenagers transform agricultural waste into clean fuels, reducing pollution and creating new income streams.
New opportunities for youth, by youth
In South Asia, youth unemployment and disengagement remain pressing challenges. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), nearly one in four young people in the region falls into the category of ‘NEET,’ not in education, employment or training, highlighting a significant portion of youth cut off from meaningful opportunities and economic participation.
In response, the Ahmedabad Hub launched Project Accelerate: Skills, Set, Go, an initiative designed to bridge the widening gap between education and employability. Acknowledging that formal degrees alone are no longer enough to succeed in today’s fast-evolving job market, the programme focuses on equipping young people with practical, 21st-century, and future-ready skills that enhance their career prospects. “We started this initiative with a simple belief, talent is universal, but opportunity is not,” said Krunal Shah, a member of the project team. 11
In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), IBM and the United States Department of State, the Hub developed structured training modules, certification programmes and strategic partnerships to expand its reach and impact. The initiative combines technical skills development with career guidance, helping participants gain both competence and confidence. “Young people who participated began to not only dream again but also act. They were getting jobs, internships and a renewed sense of direction,” Shah added.
To date, Project Accelerate has provided over 230,000 young people with industry-relevant skills and supported more than 700 individuals in securing employment, demonstrating how youth-led solutions can create tangible pathways to opportunity. 11
Why It Matters?
Economists and climate experts increasingly recognise clean energy as one of the fastest-growing and most resilient employment sectors worldwide. As countries accelerate their transition away from fossil fuels, investments in solar, wind, hydropower, green hydrogen and battery storage are generating millions of new jobs across the value chain, from manufacturing and installation to research, maintenance and digital energy management.
For many young people, entering the clean energy workforce represents more than financial stability. Image Credit: UNIDO
Unlike many traditional industries that are vulnerable to automation or resource depletion, the renewable energy sector is built around innovation, sustainability and long-term growth.
Beyond its environmental benefits, the clean energy transition offers a powerful economic lifeline, particularly in regions where conventional job markets are shrinking or unable to absorb growing youth populations. Large-scale solar parks, decentralised rooftop systems, wind farms and community-based energy projects create opportunities not only for engineers and scientists but also for technicians, project managers, data analysts, entrepreneurs and skilled tradespeople. In rural and underserved areas, renewable energy initiatives can stimulate local economies by generating employment close to home, reducing migration pressures and fostering inclusive growth.
For many young people, entering the clean energy workforce represents more than financial stability. It provides a sense of agency and alignment with global climate action. A career in renewables allows youth to contribute directly to solving one of the defining challenges of their generation. Instead of viewing climate change solely as a crisis, they become active participants in building solutions, designing smarter grids, installing solar panels on community schools, maintaining wind turbines or developing innovative storage technologies.
In this way, clean energy jobs offer not just a paycheck but a purpose-driven pathway. They connect personal ambition with planetary well-being, enabling young professionals to shape a future that is both economically secure and environmentally responsible.
Challenges Remain!
Despite its promise, the clean energy transition is not without complications. The rapid expansion of large-scale renewable projects has, in some cases, exposed gaps in labour protections, wage standards and workplace safety. Contract-based employment, informal hiring practices and inconsistent enforcement of labour laws have raised concerns about job security and fair compensation. In certain regions, communities have also voiced concerns about land use, displacement and unequal distribution of project benefits.
These issues underscore an important reality: a green transition must also be a just transition. Creating renewable energy infrastructure is not enough; it must be accompanied by policies that safeguard workers’ rights, ensure safe working conditions and promote equitable opportunities. Without proper oversight, the sector risks replicating some of the same inequalities found in traditional energy industries.
However, these challenges also present a crucial opportunity. With stronger regulatory frameworks, transparent labour standards and targeted skill development programmes, the renewable energy sector can set a new benchmark for inclusive and dignified employment. Investments in vocational training, certification systems and worker protections can professionalise the industry while improving job quality. Public-private partnerships can further ensure that local communities benefit directly through employment, entrepreneurship and shared ownership models.
If supported by thoughtful policies and sustained investment, clean energy has the potential to deliver not only economic growth but also environmental justice, powered by a generation of skilled, empowered young people who are capable of building a more equitable, reliable, and sustainable future.
Agriculture is an important sector of Pakistan’s economy. This sector directly supports the country’s population and accounts for 21 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Roughly 95 percent of Pakistan’s water is used for agriculture, with 60 percent of its population directly connected to agriculture and livestock and 80 percent of exports based on these sectors. Recently, the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources issued a serious warning regarding continuous careless water mismanagement and that the country may totally run out of water by 2025.
Dr. Pervez Aamir is a senior environmental economist at the Asianic Agro division environmental. He completed his early education at Lassale High School Faisalabad in 1972. Later he graduated in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, followed by Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Michigan State University in 1984. He currently works in advanced environmental economics courses at Harvard University and is the former research associate at Winrock International.
Dr Pervaiz is the director of the Pakistan Water Partnership and a former member of the Prime Minister’s Task Force for Climate Change. Below are excerpts of his recent conversation with our team member Aniqa Mazhar.
Aniqa: How do environmental economics benefit society and agriculture?
Dr Pervaiz: Environmental issues like climate change, pollution, fog, and particularly pesticides directly affect agriculture. If you successfully control pollution in urban areas, its impact can be directly observed on our wheat crop.
Similarly, if we properly control environmental regulations and patents and medicines in livestock and crop agriculture, it will also show direct benefits. Likewise, if we plant trees in the whole country instead of just specific tsunami-affected areas, rainfall patterns can improve significantly as rainfall increases. This is very beneficial for a dry country like Pakistan.
Poor countries of the world first focus on the ‘stomach,’ social services, health, education allocation, etc. Environment comes later.
Aniqa: What do we basically study in environmental economics? Environmental science is part of Biology, so how is it linked to Economics?
Dr Perviaz: The main thrust of economics is allocating resources like land, labor, capital, etc., for the maximum benefit of society. Different issues in biology and environmental studies like residues, the ionosphere can be dealt with keeping in mind the economic perspective, which is called opportunity cost.
For example, if we start a cement factory-like in Kallar Kahaar, it may be that it proves to be a source of prosperity for its stakeholder, but the life of that area, either trees or wildlife, is affected. Water quality is concerned.
This is where the two fields’ symbiosis occurs; looking at biology through an economic lens and keeping in mind the biological limitations when studying economics. Covid-19 is an excellent example. The virus has led to the complete destruction of the country’s economy, closed all businesses during the lockdown, and still negatively impacted it.
Aniqa: Nature is indeed the GDP of the lows; their income largely depends on it. Why don’t we recognize this in Pakistan and invest in preserving nature?
Dr Pervaiz: We do recognize this, but our budget for the Ministry of Environment is the lowest. The Environment becomes a priority with the progressive advancement of a country and how rich it is. Most trees planted in the world are in the US or Canada, or Europe. India also has about 30 percent cover by forests.
Dr. Pervaiz (second from left) with renowned Pakistani diplomats. Photo Dr. Pervez Amir
Poor countries of the world first focus on the ‘stomach,’ social services, health, education allocation, etc. Environment comes later. In Pakistan, less than one percent of the total budget is allocated to the Ministry of Environment. Now, it has been made to the Ministry of Climate Change. They have combined the fields of Environment and Climate Change. The 17 SDGs include separate goals for trees, birds, oceans, land, economics, and education. About three to four 3 goals linked to the Environment are lumped together. Separate allocation is not available.
The poor farmers have animals who graze land or trees or any biomass. The main thrust of our economy is to increase the GDP, whether it is sustainable or not. Sustainability is not a concern.
Aniqa: Climate change is still a rarely discussed topic in Pakistan. Why is it so?
Dr. Perviaz: I don’t believe that’s true. We have worked a lot on climate change in Pakistan in the last 18 to 20 years or so. I have been very closely associated with it. Pakistan ranks 5th in the German Watch right now. The German Watch is a world risk index, but two or more countries present have no reality.
Aniqa: What is the German Watch?
Dr. Pervaiz: It is a Vulnerability Index for 122 countries of the world. It ranks countries according to their climatic risks. In that ranking, Pakistan’s name comes in the top ten. It has always been so, but this time it is on the 5th number. Countries like Fiji, Philippines are in the top 4, and they are pretty small countries with a population even smaller than Karachi. So, in my view, the most vulnerable to Climate change would have to be Pakistan.
We are part of the Paris Agreement as well and have provided several reportings to them. Our emissions are pretty less globally; we stand at number 135 in emissions in the world. But where the effects of Climate change are concerned, whether they may be a shortage of water, biodiversity, glacier melting, marine life, or droughts, they are all severe. In Pakistan, climate change has multiple threats, unlike in Europe, where there’s just a change in temperature and weather.
Therefore, we take this issue of climate change extremely seriously, but we’ve lumped it with Environment and cannot distinguish the two as separate fields, although I believe the distinction is quite clear.
According to Dr. Pervaiz, We should introduce this field of climate change from an early level at school to a higher Ph.D. level.
Aniqa: Sir, why is it then that we are not able to differentiate between these two? What is lacking in our research or the methodology of the people working on this?
Dr Pervaiz: You see, research is already mere. Now, a couple of universities have come to start work on this. ITCC reports, which are international, are only focused upon here.
We have opened up many departments on Environment in many universities, but departments for Climate Change have been opened only recently at LUMS and one or two other places. These are units rather than full-fledged departments. The hardcore work of Climatology has two phases: adaptation and mitigation.
We should introduce this field of climate change from an early level at school to a higher Ph.D. level. In Islamabad, there is a center at the Ministry of Climate Change, previously known as the Ministry of Environment, called CGSIC, a global climate change center. COMSATs University is also doing some work on Climate change, as well as the University of Faisalabad.
Aniqa: So, all these departments are introductory?
DrPervaiz: Yes, a lot of investment is required. The field of Environment is relatively better established. It is the people of the Environment who exhibit leadership in climate change.
Aniqa: Are these two different fields, or can we say that climate change is a subfield of environmental science?
Dr Pervaiz: Weather is the day-to-day characterization of the atmospheric conditions, whereas climate describes long-term atmospheric conditions. They are distinct subjects but entirely overlapping, for example, how carbon dioxide emissions affect the Environment.
Aniqa: The Indian Government has canceled hydroelectric projects to conserve rainforests. However, in Pakistan, our electric consumption depends on hydroelectric sources despite massive rain patterns. What do you think?
Dr Pervaiz: India is working on 5000 dams. We only have 3 to 4 dams. Water security is the most important in the world. Nuclear power and other things do not matter as much. Countries that are water-secure survive while those that are not.
We make dams for water storage at a point to regulate and make it reach a place where a shortage is faced. An extra benefit of a dam is hydropower. You can attach the dam to a turbine to create electricity.
Pakistan is still deficient in electricity. Our struggle is to ban activities that lead to carbon dioxide emissions like burning oil for generators, burning coal, etc. hydropower is the best strategy for Pakistan. To be exact, hydropower, wind energy, solar energy.
India is going towards solar rapidly as well as currently making the most significant number of dams. Our main threat is India, and we need more focus to cope.
Aniqa: How are economic activities related to water resources and the Environment?
Dr Pervaiz: Pakistan’s economy is basically agriculture-based. Most of our economic activities revolve around our crops. If we talk about sugarcane, it is used in sugar mills. Cotton produced is used in the textile industry. Agriculture is a way of living for us. Our industries would halt without it. We want to provide a facilitative environment for agriculture. For that, safe drinking water is the first most essential thing required. No country can advance without it. Around 40 percent of diseases in Pakistan are due to dirty water, like diarrhea.
Next, if the air in your Environment is not clean due to industries or atomic waste, children’s lungs are affected from birth. Their productive life is less than 50 years. It is crucial to tailor the Environment so that our life expectancy increases to 80 to 90 years like in America.
The quality of life should also improve. If people go to the park, they should feel at peace and harmony with birds and nature. In Europe, for example, societies with suitable physical and biological Environments have higher productivity. Factories with trees and clean water in their vicinity will have more productive labor.
Look at Kalma Chowk in Lahore, people are dying from coughing and sputtering. How productive do you expect them to be with such a condition?
Aniqa: Water is an essential part of economic development. Do you think Pakistan works well in this regard?
Dr Pervaiz: Many people say that Pakistan had 5000 cm3 of water when made in 1947. Now it has even less than a 1000cm3 left. The main reason is not that the amount of water has lessened. The population growth of Pakistan is relatively high. Availability per capita is quite less due to mismanagement of water resources. We plant crops like sugarcane and cotton, etc., which are very water-intensive.
People living near the rivers face no water shortage, but Southern Punjab faces a severe drought.
Aniqa: So, areas with less water have slower economic development?
Dr Pervaiz: Yes, exactly. Where does terrorism occur? In extreme and dry desert areas and peripheries of Balochistan, KPK, Sindh, and Punjab.
Aniqa: Which economic, political, and cultural factors significantly impact local agricultural practices in Pakistan?
Dr Pervaiz: The most significant is land-reforms. The main chunk of the population’s land is in landlords’ hands, who rarely visit those lands. In India or other countries, 65 acres or 1 acre of land is the maximum an owner can have at a time.
Pakistan has been affected by early politics; it was made by the inherited properties of Nawabs and landlords. The English adopted the method of grasping power by land and water allocation, control, and distribution in the political economy. So that’s why Pakistan’s history includes only a few families with the land.
We need productive gain per acre of land, which can be achieved when society prioritizes agriculture as a focal thrust. When wheat, fruits, and vegetables start to go down, all the public starts screaming. When they are available, nobody wants to worry about agriculture. Other sources like McDonald’s, Defense in Lahore and societies, are given priority and allocation.
Aniqa: What is available is always taken for granted?
Dr. Pervaiz: Exactly. You asked at the beginning about poverty. We can reduce it when water is appropriately managed: 20 percent of our GDP that is 50 billion dollars, is from agriculture. We can quickly increase it to 350 billion dollars! If we surmount political barriers and develop our deserts like China, poverty can be erased, and harmony can prevail.
The poor can eat, distribution to other countries can also be possible. This is called the ‘multiplier factor’ in economics. When money is transferred to England by Nawaz Sharif, the economy faces a net loss. Money made in Pakistan should be invested in agriculture and circulated here to increase Pakistan’s productivity and reduce poverty.
Aniqa: My last question is that economic and ecological systems are interlinked at the local and global levels. What challenges do we face due to massive environmental changes in different parts of Pakistan?
Dr Pervaiz: We either deliberately or unintentionally disturb the ecological system. People say sea intrusion is because of dam-building, but both these are not related. Dam water is used in industry, agriculture, and power generation. Studies show it is a natural phenomenon and is not affected by dams built on top regarding sea intrusion.
Cutting of mangroves and deforestation are at peak in the world. Humankind disturbed the ecological balance itself. Pakistan has 1046 km of coastal areas; we export crawlers and planted them there. That totally destroys the natural flora and fauna over there. Other plants from France and China are also totally ruining the ecological balance there.
Likewise, Pakistan is one of the lowest countries in the world in tree plantation. Not even 4.2 percent of our land is covered with forests. Good countries have 25 to 30 percent cover. Canada has 60 percent cover. Our cover is so less that it leads to soil erosion, and ecological imbalance is inevitable. Severe erosion leads to issues like landslides which also affect the ecology.
People are making a racket about the Indus Dolphin’s extinction, but they don’t care about its habitat. Species depletion is occurring rapidly. Natural parks are rare, while their protection is almost zero.
In olden times, villages had ponds with birds and animals. Now, societies are being made in all these areas and creating biological imbalance.
Aniqa: This imbalance is because industrialization is increasing, right?
Dr Pervaiz: Yes, cities and industrial zones are increasing at their own pace, but small factories everywhere outside a zone are very problematic—for example, the brick kilns industry.
Ecological balance is at the lowest ladder of economic thinkers. Their vision is blocked; they don’t want to think about the outcome. They just think about the money they’ll get, the money that’ll go in the FBR. Money is all that is being focused on.
Aniqa: Thank you very much, Sir, for your precious time and for sharing your knowledge!
Dr Pervaiz: My pleasure! I hope you got the answers you were looking for and I wish you the best of luck with your magazine!
Pakistan has reached a point where student distress is harder to ignore. In Lahore, recent cases involving university students have brought this issue to public attention. A 22-year-old boy gave up on his life by jumping from the fourth floor of a university building. This case led to protests over alleged humiliation linked to attendance rules [1]. Another involved a first-semester student who survived with serious injuries after jumping from second floor of university building [2]. A third case involved a hostel student at a public medical university who jumped from the fourth floor and died [3].
Each case triggered inquiry committees and public debate. Each case also raised the same hard question. Why do so many students break down in silence before anyone steps in?
This piece of writing does not treat those reports as spectacle. Suicide is rarely the result of one event. The World Health Organization stated in a report about suicide published on 25th March, 2025, that suicide grows from multiple social, psychological, cultural, biological, and environmental factors [4]. The World Health Organization, in a report about preventing suicide published on 12th September 2023, warns against simple explanations and sensational reporting because both distort public understanding and weaken prevention [5].
Why do students reach this point?
A student rarely wakes up one morning and moves from stable to suicidal. The path is often slow. Pressure builds. Shame grows. Sleep gets worse. Fear becomes constant. Hope shrinks.
For many students in Pakistan, university life carries more than study pressure. It entails family sacrifices, financial burdens, professional competition, hostel adjustment, and the fear of wasting years of effort. One failed exam feels like a public collapse. One warning feels like a verdict. One harsh interaction feels final.
In 2017, the Journal of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad published this research by the Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi, Pakistan. This study supports the view that college students found suicidal ideation was linked with depression, anxiety, stress, and lower life satisfaction [6].
Student mental health strain is common, and ignoring it carries a cost. The author generated this photo with AI.
In 2023, a study was conducted among students at four major Pakistani universities and was published in the Psychology, Health & Medicine journal. Research found that around 32% of Pakistani university students reported thoughts of death or self-harm in the prior two weeks, with higher rates among those facing stronger anxiety and depression symptoms [7].
In 2021, Frontiers in Public Health Journal published an online systematic review and meta-analysis about the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in Pakistan. This review found depressive symptoms among university students in Pakistan at 42.66% overall, while also calling for stronger national data and better support systems [8].
These numbers do not prove that every distressed student is suicidal. They do show one clear fact. Student mental health strain is common, and ignoring it carries a cost.
The role of shame!
Academic pressure matters. Shame matters too!
There is a difference between academic accountability and humiliation. When a student already feels fragile, a public scolding, a rigid warning, or a threat to an entire semester may hit harder than teachers or administrators expect. The student does not hear the policy. The student hears failure. The student hears, “You are finished.” This matters because shame is not a small emotion.
In 2024, the PLOS ONE Journal published a systematic review on the impact of the lived experience of humiliation and shame on self-harm and suicidality in adolescents and young people. It found links between humiliation, shame, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide among adolescents and young adults [9].
Older evidence, a review study published in 2019 published by Clinical Psychology Review Journal, points in the same direction as results of this review support the link between shame and self-harm [10].
When a student feels exposed, trapped, and disgraced, their thinking narrows. Temporary problems start to look permanent. One bad result starts to feel like a ruined identity. This does not mean every disciplinary action leads to a crisis. It does mean institutions need to consider the emotional impact, not just policy compliance.
Why do students stay silent?
Students often hide distress until the risk becomes acute. They hide it because they do not want to look weak. They hide it because they fear gossip. They hide it because they think parents will panic, blame them, or pull them out of university. They hide it because they believe everyone else is coping better.
In Pakistan, stigma around mental health still shapes help-seeking. In 2024, the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association published a cross-sectional study by Zafar et al., which included a total of 316 medical university students. Research reported that social stigma remains a major issue in attitudes toward professional mental health care [11]. When help feels socially costly, students delay support. By the time they speak, the crisis is deeper.
This is why public advice such as “be strong” often fails. Strength is not the issue. Safety is.
Better way to understand suicidal thinking!
Suicidal thinking often grows from a sense of entrapment. The student feels stuck between options that all look unbearable:
Fail the course, disappoint the family.
Speak up, risk shame.
Stay silent, keep drowning.
Take a break, fear of being left behind.
This is why outsiders often misread the warning signs. The student may still attend class. The student may still laugh with friends. The student may still post online. A crisis does not always look dramatic from the outside.
A report about suicide published on 25th March, 2025, by The World Health Organization stated that suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds worldwide and that more than 720,000 people die due to suicide every year [4]. Young people are at real risk. Student mental health is not a side issue. It is a public health issue. The response needs to become more practical and more solution-oriented.
What students need right now
Students need clear support, not slogans.
If your thoughts are turning toward self-harm or suicide, treat that as an emergency. Tell one trusted person today. Stay with people. Leave unsafe places. Ask someone to sit with you. Go to a hospital or emergency service if the risk feels immediate.
Pakistan does have support points. Umang describes itself as a 24/7 mental health helpline run by clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and active listeners [12]. The HEC and UNFPA National Youth Helpline, a toll-free number 0800-69457, offers psychosocial first aid, counselling, guidance, and referrals [13,14,15].
A student in crisis does not need a lecture on gratitude. A student in crisis needs fast contact, practical protection, and calm human presence.
What should families do?
Families also need a clearer role. Fear-based pressure does not produce resilience. It often produces secrecy. If your child sounds withdrawn, hopeless, ashamed, or trapped, do not start with blame. Start with questions:
Are you safe right now? Have you had thoughts of hurting yourself? Who have you told, and what do you need in the next hour? Listen first. Remove access to obvious means of self-harm. Stay close. Seek urgent professional help if the risk is high. Do not reduce the problem to faith, laziness, or “overthinking.” Those responses push students deeper into silence.
What universities should change?
Universities need to move from an inquiry culture to a prevention culture. An inquiry after a death is not enough. A fence after a crisis is not enough. A condolence notice is not enough.
A serious prevention plan should include confidential counselling units with trained staff, clear crisis referral protocols, mental health screening and check-ins for high-pressure programs, faculty training on how to address struggling students without shame, academic appeal systems before students lose a semester, hostel wardens trained to respond to distress, and peer support systems with referral pathways.
WHO, in a report about 2000-2021 Suicide data, states that evidence-based suicide prevention works at the population, group, and individual levels [16]. WHO media guidance, in a report about preventing suicide published on 12th September 2023, also urges communication that focuses on support, recovery, and help-seeking, rather than graphic detail or romanticized loss [5]. Universities should follow the same principle in their own response after a crisis.
What do teachers need to hear?
Teachers need to hear this, too. They do not need to become therapists. They do need to understand risk. A student who is missing classes, submitting poor work, or reacting emotionally to academic pressure is not always lazy or unserious. The student may be overwhelmed, depressed, sleep-deprived, bullied, or in a family crisis.
Language matters. Tone matters. Timing matters. A hard conversation delivered with dignity protects students better than a hard conversation delivered with contempt. Rules still matter. Standards still matter. Respect matters too.
What must the public conversation stop doing?
Pakistan also needs to stop treating student suicide as gossip for a few days and then move on. Video clips, rumor threads, and assigning blame don’t help students. They feed panic and shame. WHO, in a report about preventing suicide published on 12th September 2023, states that widely shared suicide stories shape public behavior and that reports focused on people who survive crises and seek help support prevention better [5].
A better public response asks harder questions: Did the campus have counseling? Did students trust it? Did teachers know how to respond? Did the institution have a safety plan? Did the student know where to turn before the crisis peaked?
Those questions save more lives than outrage alone. Students are more than attendance sheets, GPAs, warnings, and one bad semester. Your current pain is serious. It deserves action. It does not deserve silence.
Naseem, S., Munaf, S., & Bano, R. (2017). Suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, stress, and life satisfaction of medical, engineering, and social sciences students. Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, 29(3), 422 to 427. (https://jamc.ayubmed.edu.pk/index.php/jamc/article/view/1553/1057)
Salman, M., Mustafa, Z. U., Asif, N., et al. (2023). Self-harm and suicidal ideation in Pakistani youth amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 16, 679 to 690. (https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2022.2119483)
Khan, M. N., Akhtar, P., Ijaz, S., & Waqas, A. (2021). Prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in Pakistan. Frontiers in Public Health, 8. (https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.603357)
Sadath, A., McLoughlin, A., Sheehy, K., et al. (2024). Associations between humiliation, shame, self-harm, and suicidality in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review. Psychological Medicine. (https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292691)
Sheehy, K., Noureen, A., Khaliq, A., et al. (2019). An examination of the relationship between shame, guilt, and self-harm: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 73, 101779. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2019.101779)
Zafar, M., Atiq, H., Mubashir, H., et al. (2024). Attitude towards seeking professional help for mental health issues among medical students of Rawalpindi Medical University, Pakistan. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. (https://doi.org/10.2144/fsoa-2023-0114)
Before even starting to read this article, your mind would have made a couple of choices about the neuroscientific and psychological views of the topic. Free will is considered the capacity to choose among various options, to exercise control over one’s actions as a moral responsibility, and to be the originator of one’s own actions.
Many observed discoveries in psychology and neuroscience support disagreements about the illusion of free will. Benjamin Libet’s experiments demonstrated that the brain’s readiness potential precedes an individual’s conscious decision to act. It suggests that neural procedures may precede conscious intention.
According to Libet, there is a visible lag between brain preparation and conscious will since the readiness potential starts around 550 milliseconds before movement and conscious awareness of the intention only manifests 200 milliseconds before action. Research on split-brain patients by Michael Gazzaniga also revealed that when actions start outside of conscious awareness, people subsequently provide enthralling justifications, specifying that the mind works as an interpreter rather than the decision-maker.
The belief that more choice means greater freedom is negated by Sheena Iyengar’s jam experiment, which shows that having more options can actually make decisions harder. Everyday environments systematically shaped them without anyone observing. Moreover, subtle cues, like exposure to specific words, can unconsciously change behaviour.
Free will is one of the most treasured ideas in human thought. It suggests that we author our actions and are morally responsible for them because we control our lives. This presumption permeates every system, including the legal system, educational institutions, religious institutions, and casual conversations.
We are in the habit of praising effort, blaming wrongdoing, and appreciating courage because we believe people have different options. Over the decades, however, the idea has emerged that many of our choices are determined long before we become consciously aware of them.
The question then is: “If the brain decides first and consciousness only finds out, then what role does free will actually play?” Psychology adds another layer to this question. When humans explain their own behaviour, they often prove to be skilled storytellers. Research shows that these explanations are frequently post hoc rationalizations rather than true reasons.
In classic experiments, people are influenced by the framing of options, the order in which choices are presented, emotional states, and many other factors. Their justifications for a given decision frequently don’t relate to the real factors at play.
In actuality, a lot of what we do is automatic, despite the fact that we frequently believe we have deliberate control over our choices. Habits, feelings, prejudices, and prior experiences all influence how we behave. The brain makes quick decisions in the background without our knowledge, which leads to this mostly undetectable process.
The part that strongly feels like “us” is the conscious mind, but it comes in later. Like a storyteller giving reasons for what has already happened, it elaborates the action after it has occurred. Conscious thought is not the commander of decisions; it is more like the narrator of a story.
It is believed that many factors, including genes, brain chemistry, childhood experiences, culture, customs, and surroundings, shape our reactions and decisions in different situations. Free will is therefore argued to be less real than it feels. From this perspective, humans are complex biological systems that respond to situations according to biological and physical laws. We may compare them to machines, although humans are far more advanced.
This view is known as hard determinism, which explains that every action has its basis in previous reasons. In light of this, the idea that one could have acted differently is considered a fiction. Since there is currently no conclusive experimental evidence that neural laws determine our conscious wills, Libet warned that both strict determinism and non-determinism are still theoretical stances.
If we completely abandon the concept of free will, it becomes difficult to justify moral responsibility and concepts such as guilt, justice, blame, praise, and personal growth. Not everyone believes that neuroscience abolishes free will, and many philosophers state that the issue lies in how we define it.
According to compatibilism, free will means acting according to one’s reasons without external force. Even if shaped by biology and prior experiences, the reasons are still ours. Hence, neuroscience does not eliminate free will; it simply shows that it works within limits.
According to Libet, consciousness has a veto power, even though unconscious processes initiate actions. In this viewpoint, free will is not about initiating actions but about monitoring and perhaps hampering them. This idea matches with daily activities and experiences. We often feel the need to express aggression but choose to refrain. The impulse arises unconsciously, and the capacity to suppress it also stays within us.
The idea of control associated with free will influences motivation, ethical behaviour, and mental health. The experience of choosing is powerful, whether free will is entirely real or not. Research suggests that when belief in free will is weakened, it is associated with greater cheating, aggression, and fatalism.
Free will has a limited capacity, and it grows with education and self-reflection. A deeper understanding of our experiences creates greater room for meaningful choice. We should not think of ourselves as puppets whose decisions are entirely out of our control. There is a significant space between impulse and action where reflection, values, and responsibility can emerge.
Free will, even if it is not absolute freedom, is not a complete illusion either. We can rightly call it a constrained freedom that is real enough to hold meaning. If we are not in full control, we are not powerless either.
Libet suggested that the existence of genuine free will is “at least as good, if not a better, scientific option than its denial.”
References:
Libet, B. (1985). Unconscious cerebral initiative and the role of conscious will in voluntary action in Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 8(4), 529-539.
Gazzaniga, M. S. (1998). The split-brain revisited. Scientific American, 279(1), 50-55.
Iyengar, S. S., & Lepper, M. R. (2000). When choice is demotivating: Can one desire too much of a good thing?. Journal of personality and social psychology, 79(6), 995.
Soon, C. S., Brass, M., Heinze, H. J., & Haynes, J. D. (2008). Unconscious determinants of free decisions in the human brain. Nature Neuroscience, 11(5), 543-545.
Haggard, P. (2008). Human volition: towards a neuroscience of will. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(12), 934-946.
Mele, A. R. (2009). Effective intentions: The power of conscious will. Oxford University Press.
Vohs, K. D., & Schooler, J. W. (2008). The value of believing in free will: Encouraging a belief in determinism increases cheating. Psychological Science, 19(1), 49-54.
Harris, S. (2012). Free will. Continuum Companion to Hume, London, Continuum, 214-226.
For the past three years, Farzana, a 28-year-old tutor in Sialkot, has been saving away 10,000 PKR from her salary every month. Distrusting the “hassle” of banks, she placed her faith in a 20-person ‘Committee’ with people from her circle, dreaming of finally pursuing a Master’s degree with that money.
But when her name was finally drawn last month, the celebration was short-lived. While her cash had sat idle in the rotating cycle, the world around her had become much more expensive. Farzana received every single rupee she had put into the committee, but due to inflation, the prices of things had risen.
She hadn’t lost a rupee to any scam or misconduct, yet she could no longer afford the dream she had been saving for. Farzana’s story is a silent crisis: by sticking to the “safety” of old traditions, she didn’t just save her money—she watched its power disappear.
Most Pakistani women, at some point in their lives, have firsthandly joined the typical ‘Committees’ widely known as ROSCA (Rotating Savings and Credit Associations), snuggled cash under mattresses, or even in cupboards and drawers. Even in the modern world of technology, the lack of awareness and access to financial investment education has played a major role in these actions.
Steps like these are taken because of trust in a community of women rather than in banks and the loads of paperwork. But it is crucial to understand that money lying in a cupboard loses its potential value due to inflation, as no compounding happens. (Refer to Islamic Banking policies and Professional Scholars or sources to identify Haram and Halal Investment Methods)
For a very long time, Pakistani women have been entitled to having the lowest financial inclusion rate when compared to others around the world. This disparity was driven by high social and physical limitations, which included the massive digital gender divide and meant significantly fewer women had access to mobile phones. These barriers turned the “saving money in a cupboard” into a default necessity rather than a choice. But now this chain has finally broken.
In 2025, there was a new wave, and it has been growing ever since. This shift was largely driven by the State Bank of Pakistan’s “Banking on Equality” Policy. According to their annual financial report as of 2025, the gender gap in formal baking narrowed by 17%, and now women hold over 25 million unique accounts. Over the past few years, this count was in a single digit million.
Regulations have now made it easier for women to invest than ever before. Image Credit: Wow360
An inspiring story from our society of breaking chains is that of respected Dr. Sara Sultan Aqib. Hailing from a village in Haripur, KPK, she faced societal restrictions as higher education for girls was discouraged in her community. Her journey from a village where potential was not acknowledged to becoming an Energy Systems Engineer and an Entrepreneur is a testament to how rewarding the journey of self-investment can be.
Regulations have now made it easier for women to invest than ever before. Instead of waiting for hours in line at a bank, women can now open bank accounts with their CNIC alone. Services like Easypaisa, RAAST, and JazzCash have become a gateway for this cause. Asaan Mobile Accounts (AMA) allow women to open accounts by dialing *2262# from any mobile phone, despite internet connection, providing facilitation to women living in rural communities across the country.
The State Bank of Pakistan has seen significant momentum, with the number of active women-owned accounts surging to 37 million by mid-2025. Building on this success, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) now aims to further bridge the divide under its 2024–2028 strategy, with a target of an overall financial inclusion rate of 75% while narrowing the gender gap to just 25 percent.
While Pakistan has indeed taken commendable initiatives for gender-inclusive finance, the journey from creating awareness to translating it into actual agency remains a work in progress. The rise of specialized platforms like Jamapunji by the SECP, along with fintech innovators like Oraan, signals a movement toward structured financial literacy. These tools do more than just equip with information; they break systemic barriers by digitizing traditional ways of saving and offering risk-free capital market investment simulations.
To expand financial inclusion, Pakistan’s government is digitizing social programs like the income support program. Image Credit: UNSGSA
However, a considerable “literacy lag” is still out of reach in urban centers, and the data indicate that as digital adoption grows, women in rural regions have been consistently left behind due to limited access to technology and socio-cultural constraints. The divide needs more than mere digital intervention; localized education that can transform financial knowledge into a tangible tool for economic independence is required.
The above-mentioned data shows the growth in financial investment literacy amongst women of Pakistan from 2025 onwards. However, it is by no means an indication that the divide has been bridged. Countless women from rural areas still have little to no knowledge regarding the procedures of financial investment or asset ownership. And with accessible services and sources provided to women today, it is our job to be active citizens and participate in bridging this gap.
International Women’s Day 2026 theme is ‘Give To Gain’. And the simple rule is; When we give, we gain. Together, let’s help forge gender equality through abundant giving. It’s time to shift from saving cash or gold to investing in mutual funds and having complete ownership of your assets. Investing isn’t just about saving money; it’s about owning assets. Assets that will make Pakistani women stronger and more empowered.
Clean energy changes how a home feels. It brings consistency, comfort, and a sense of safety, small things that allow tired minds to rest and emotional balance to slowly rebuild
Mental health is often discussed in clinical terms, such as therapy, medication, and individual resilience. Yet a growing body of interdisciplinary research suggests that mental well-being is profoundly shaped by infrastructure, particularly by access to stable, affordable, and clean energy.
For millions of households worldwide, energy insecurity is not simply an economic challenge; it is a persistent psychological stressor that can contribute to anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and depression within the home. As renewable energy reshapes global power systems, researchers are beginning to explore an important but underexamined question: Can clean energy improve mental health at the domestic level?Evidence increasingly suggests that the answer may be “yes”.
Domestic Depression and the Hidden Burden of Energy Stress
Depression within households, sometimes referred to as domestic depression, often arises from chronic stressors rather than acute trauma. Financial instability, poor housing conditions, indoor pollution, and daily uncertainty create an emotional environment where mental distress can take root. Energy poverty sits at the intersection of all these factors.
Energy poverty is broadly defined as a lack of access to reliable, affordable, and safe energy services. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to adverse living conditions, including inadequate heating or cooling, indoor air pollution, and overcrowded housing, significantly increases the risk of depressive and anxiety disorders [1].
“Mental health cannot be understood in isolation from the physical and social environments in which people live,” the WHO notes in its framework on social determinants of mental health.
In many regions, women manage domestic labor that becomes substantially harder during energy shortages, cooking with polluting fuels, washing without electric appliances, and caring for children under stressful conditions. Over time, this can manifest as emotional fatigue, irritability, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms.
Psychological research consistently shows that routine and predictability reduce stress and protect against depression, particularly in resource-limited settings. Photo, Kelty Mental Health
Renewable Energy and Household Stability
Renewable energy systems such as rooftop solar panels, home battery storage, and decentralized microgrids offer more than low-carbon electricity. They provide stability, a factor closely linked to mental well-being. Access to predictable energy allows households to establish routines, regulate indoor temperatures, maintain lighting at night, and support children’s education without constant disruption.
Psychological research consistently shows that routine and predictability reduce stress and protect against depression, particularly in resource-limited settings. The International Energy Agency reports that decentralized renewable systems can significantly lower household energy expenditures over time, particularly in regions with high fuel or grid costs. Reduced financial pressure directly translates into lower chronic stress [2].
“Energy affordability plays a critical role in household well-being, influencing everything from nutrition to emotional health,” according to the IEA assessment on energy access and social outcomes [2]. By minimizing exposure to price volatility and power interruptions, renewable energy can reduce one of the most persistent sources of household anxiety and uncertainty.
Financial Relief and Psychological Health
Economic strain is one of the strongest predictors of depression worldwide. Households struggling to meet basic expenses experience heightened stress hormones, sleep disturbances, and impaired emotional regulation. Energy bills, often unavoidable and rising, can exacerbate this strain. Renewable energy, particularly when supported through subsidies, financing models, or community ownership, can ease this burden.
Over time, savings from reduced electricity costs free up resources for food, healthcare, and education, indirectly supporting mental well-being. In this sense, renewable energy functions as a preventive mental health intervention, addressing root causes rather than symptoms.
Cleaner Air, Healthier Minds
The mental health benefits of renewable energy also operate through environmental pathways. Fossil fuel combustion releases fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅), nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants known to harm cardiovascular and respiratory health. More recently, these pollutants have been linked to neuroinflammation, cognitive decline, and mood disorders [3].
Studies published in leading medical journals suggest that long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with increased risk of depression and anxiety. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels and biomass, renewable energy improves indoor and outdoor air quality, creating environments more conducive to psychological recovery.
“The brain is not isolated from environmental exposures. Air quality plays a measurable role in mental health outcomes,” The Lancet Neurology [4].
Quieter neighborhoods, another benefit of renewable energy infrastructure compared to diesel generators, also contribute to better sleep quality, which is essential for emotional regulation and depression prevention [6].
Psychological Empowerment and Sense of Control
Beyond physical and financial benefits, renewable energy adoption can foster psychological empowerment. Households that generate their own electricity often report a stronger sense of autonomy and control, key protective factors against depression. Community-owned renewable projects amplify this effect by strengthening social cohesion.
Participation in shared energy solutions fosters a sense of belonging and collective purpose, counteracting feelings of isolation that often accompany domestic depression. The United Nations Development Programme emphasizes that agency and participation are central to human development and psychological resilience.
In regions affected by climate stress, energy shortages, or economic instability, renewable energy can symbolize hope and self-determination, psychological assets that matter deeply for mental health.
“When people feel they are active contributors rather than passive recipients, their capacity to cope with stress improves significantly,” UNDP human development report.
Gender, Equity, and Mental Well-Being
The mental health benefits of renewable energy are not evenly distributed as they are shaped by gender and social roles. Because women often manage energy-intensive domestic tasks, access to clean and reliable energy disproportionately improves their daily lives. Reduced time spent on fuel collection, cleaner cooking environments, and reliable electricity for household tasks all contribute to lower emotional exhaustion.
These changes, though seemingly practical, can significantly reduce the risk of depression over time. Energy policy, therefore, is also mental health policy, particularly when viewed through a gender-equity lens.
Rethinking Clean Energy as a Public Health Strategy
Upstream factors, such as housing, environment, and economic security, can directly impact mental health. Renewable energy intersects with all three. Rather than viewing clean energy solely as a climate solution, policymakers and researchers are beginning to frame it as emotional infrastructure, a foundation that supports psychological well-being at the household level [5].
Integrating mental health metrics into energy policy evaluations could help quantify these benefits, strengthening the case for renewable investment beyond carbon reduction alone.
Final Words!
Depression at home rarely has a single cause. It emerges from a web of financial stress, environmental exposure, social roles, and daily uncertainty. Renewable energy, by addressing these underlying conditions, offers more than electricity; it offers stability, dignity, and emotional relief.
As the global energy transition accelerates, recognizing the mental health co-benefits of renewable energy may fundamentally reshape how societies value clean power. In illuminating homes, renewable energy may also help lighten the psychological burdens carried quietly within them.
References:
World Health Organization. Mental Health and the Social Determinants of Health.
International Energy Agency. Energy Access and Household Well-Being.
United Nations Development Programme. Human Development Report: Climate Action and Mental Health.
Brook, R. D. et al. Air Pollution and Brain Health. The Lancet Neurology.
Clean energy doesn’t just revolve around saving the planet anymore; it has now clawed its way into shaping the global economy. For Gen Z, investment in renewables isn’t solely a powerful, long-term financial stroke but also a measure to remain true to their principles and values when it comes to protecting the environment. As the global sustainability market blooms, affluent corporations are scurrying to invest in the trillion-dollar clean energy industry. But the big question remains- Are Gen Z investors aware of their options to make their lion’s share in the rapid commercialisation of the green market?
As the energy industry is undergoing a massive transition, this article will serve as a thorough guide to the young green-investment enthusiasts by reflecting on ESG.
The environmental, Social, and Governance strategies and focusing on investment avenues that sync with eco-efficient modus operandi, while also underscoring the associated risks due to volatile trends and policy changes.
GREEN is the New Gold!
Green is the new gold because value has shifted. Gold is a symbol of wealth, power, and security. Green signals for the same, but for the future and not the past. As the climate instability rises, we witness a lack of clean water, erosion of lands, and depletion of natural resources, and anything that protects them, it becomes extremely valuable. Investors see it, the government sees it, and the corporate sector definitely sees it. Being green isn’t just ethical anymore, it’s financially smart.
Renewables Beyond Aesthetics
As the global economy rewires itself, renewable energy is catching up. Solar and wind are now the cheapest forms of energy across many regions. It must be highlighted that clean energy isn’t a single stock but an ecosystem of solar panels, hydrogen fuels, carbon snaring and power saving. It doesn’t just constitute residential or commercial solar panels or offshore and onshore turbines; it’s more than that. The bigger picture includes EVs, energy storage, grid efficiency, and the use of sustainable materials in nearly every sector, making it a system-level shift.
Before delving into capital investment, classify areas that are of value to you and then invest accordingly. Photo, LinkedIn
How and most IMPORTANTLY Where to begin?
ESG investments take into consideration the environmental, social, and governance practices. The environmental criteria include the company’s impact on climate change, its energy efficiency, and its waste management practices. Social criteria are a culmination of a company’s labour practices, human rights policies, and community engagement. While the Governance criteria extend to board structure and shareholder rights.
Before delving into capital investment, classify areas that are of value to you and then invest accordingly. You may look into Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), which are mutual ESG funds that invest in companies that follow the sustainable route and, at the same time, promise long-term returns. These funds are distributed among companies based on their ESG score.
Renewable investment, on the other hand, focuses on contributions into companies and funds that utilise renewable resources to generate power, which in turn leads to a low carbon footprint. Investments in renewable energies are no longer a niche trend but mainstream, driven by corporate adoption and policies like the 2015 Paris Agreement, amidst growing climate change concerns. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), fossil fuel usage for electricity generation has been declining since 2019.
Some of the common tactics for green investments include diversified energy funds and individual green energy stocks. These funds group multiple businesses involved in solar, wind, battery, and grid technology, thereby ensuring diversification. These funds can be either closed-end or open-end, with closed-end funds typically involving longer terms and higher investment risks. Closed-end funds often invest in specific projects, like solar parks, whereas open-end funds offer flexibility, allowing investors to buy and sell at any time.
Investments are particularly driven by highly accessible renewables. For example Windmills have been repurposed from traditional uses. They are now a leading source of renewable electricity, using turbines that harness wind energy to produce green electricity. Solar energy, on the other hand, is environmentally friendly, free, and virtually limitless. It can generate electricity and heat, with sunlight theoretically covering global annual energy demand.EV stocks cover electric vehicle manufacturers, battery producers, charging stations, and electric motor companies.
They can also include mining and semiconductor companies supplying key EV components. Lastly, Green Grid is a sustainable energy system combining renewables, efficiency, and smart tech to cut emissions and boost clean energy. It transforms the traditional grid into a low-carbon, flexible network for a resilient future.
The steps are simple. To invest in green energy, define your purpose and timeframe. Prepare an emergency budget. Choose between diversified funds for simplicity or single stocks for targeted investments. Diversify across solar, wind, storage, and grid tech. Rebalance regularly and track policy changes, interest rates, supply chain issues, and industry cycles.
However, green investing comes with several risks, including greenwashing, where investments may not be as environmentally beneficial as claimed. Market volatility is also a concern, as green sectors can be subject to rapid changes and fluctuations. Regulatory uncertainty can impact investment viability, while liquidity risk makes some green investments hard to sell quickly. Additionally, measuring sustainability impact can be challenging. Knowing these risks helps investors navigate green investing, assess opportunities, and contribute to sustainability responsibly.
Final Words!
As environmental issues like climate change are increasingly worsening, Gen Z Investors are eyeing renewable energy. Most of these opportunities lie in advanced solar and wind technologies, energy storage solutions, grid infrastructure upgrades, electric vehicle infrastructure, and sustainable biomass and bioenergy projects. Core focus is to invest in companies that promote innovation, efficiency, and affordability in renewables, and at the same time pose little to no risk to the invested capital.
Pakistan imported 22 gigawatts of solar panels in 2024. That is more than what Canada or the United Kingdom installed in five years combined. Rooftop solar systems are spreading across the country at a remarkable speed. Households are generating their own electricity. The technology works perfectly. On paper, this looks like one of the great energy success stories of the developing world.
Yet the country’s circular debt hit PKR 3 trillion, growing by PKR 66 billion every single month. That is $235 million bleeding out every 30 days. Electricity prices keep rising for people who cannot afford solar panels. National grid demand dropped 3% despite the economy growing by 2.4%. And on 9th February 2026, the government changed the rules entirely, cutting what new solar users earn for their excess power from PKR 27 per unit down to PKR 11. The solar boom did not fix Pakistan’s energy crisis; it exposed every crack in a system that was never designed to handle it.
The paradox is stark. Solar panels are succeeding so brilliantly that they are breaking the system they were supposed to save. Of Pakistan’s total installed solar capacity, only 0.7 gigawatts are actually connected to the national grid. The rest is distributed chaos, thousands of rooftop systems generating power with zero coordination. They destabilise voltage. They create two-way power flows that the grid cannot handle. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) assessed 157 solar projects across the country. Only four met performance standards.
Solar panels have a failure rate of just 0.05%. The hardware is not the problem. What keeps failing are the systems, policies, and economics surrounding these panels. Pakistan is trying to bolt 21st-century energy solutions onto 20th-century infrastructure and 19th-century financial models, and the collision is now impossible to ignore.
How the Grid Became a Liability
Pakistan’s electrical grid was built for centralised coal and gas plants. Power flows in one direction only, from big plants to consumers. When thousands of households start generating solar power simultaneously, the grid must manage bidirectional flows that it was never engineered to handle. The result is voltage fluctuations, frequency instability, and transformer failures. Solar works perfectly. The grid does not.
But the technical problems pale against the financial catastrophe building quietly in the background. In the 1990s and 2000s, Pakistan’s government signed contracts with Independent Power Producers (IPPs). These are private companies that generate electricity and sell it to the state. The contracts guaranteed payment for capacity, whether that power was actually used or not. The government essentially promised: “We will pay you regardless.” At the time, with chronic power shortages, this made sense. Today, it is a disaster.
Now that wealthy households are installing solar and stopping the purchase of grid power, the government still owes IPPs their guaranteed payments. Those fixed costs, grid maintenance, capacity payments, and transmission infrastructure get spread over fewer and fewer customers. Who remains on the grid? The 40 million Pakistanis with no electricity access at all, and the poor who simply cannot afford solar panels. If behind-the-meter solar reaches 15% of total demand by 2030, grid customers’ bills could rise by 31%.
By December 2024, net-metered consumers had already shifted roughly PKR 159 billion of costs onto others. That is approximately $563 million. If this trend continues uncorrected, the total cost shift could reach PKR 4.24 trillion by 2034. One expert put it plainly: the current boom “risks creating a new class of privileged producers, financed by those least able to afford it.”
Policy Chaos Accelerates the Problem
The government initially encouraged net metering, a system where you install solar, generate your own power, and get credited for any excess electricity you send back to the grid. Households could effectively use the national grid as a giant battery. Excess solar power was credited at full retail rates. Under this policy, a typical rooftop solar system paid for itself in just two to four years. It was a genuinely good deal.
Then the government changed direction. Regulators proposed gross metering, where new solar owners would be forced to sell all their power to the grid first, then buy it back at higher rates. After protests, that proposal was delayed. Then came the “Prosumer” rules, where excess solar would be bought at wholesale prices instead of retail. Contract lengths shrank from seven years to five.
In November 2025, one proposal suggested cutting export credits from PKR 27 to PKR 10 per unit. Protests erupted again. That proposal was also delayed. Then, on 9th February 2026, NEPRA made it official. New solar consumers will receive just PKR 11 per unit for surplus electricity. The unit-for-unit adjustment that made solar financially attractive is gone for new entrants. Existing users keep their old terms, but only until their current contracts expire.
When rules change this frequently, nobody can plan. Capital flees. Projects get announced, then half-built, then quietly abandoned. Over 4,000 rooftop solar applications sat pending in mid-2025 due to grid bottlenecks and regulatory uncertainty. And the government’s stated reason for these changes, recovering fixed grid costs from solar users, is, according to energy experts, a cover story for something else entirely.
Critics argue this is less about grid stability and more about protecting the centralised power sector and the IPP contracts underpinning it. The monolithic system that created the circular debt crisis is now being defended by dismantling the one thing that was offering ordinary Pakistanis a way out.
Inequality Baked into the System
The solar boom did not arrive equally. Early adopters were almost exclusively middle and upper-class households. They had spare rooftop space. They had cash for installation or access to bank financing. These customers now save substantially on their bills and, until recently, earned money from their excess power.
Meanwhile, poorer households, who already pay cross-subsidies to keep power affordable for the poorest consumers, now cover an ever-larger share of fixed grid costs. Lower-income households cannot afford solar installations. The benefit goes to the wealthy. The burden shifts to everyone else.
A recent analysis warned that around 200,000 to 300,000 relatively well-off customers were reaping these solar windfalls, placing an additional 15% burden on the entire nation. In fiscal year 2024, Pakistan’s utilities lost roughly PKR 101 billion as grid sales fell by 3.2 billion units. Distribution companies’ recovery ratios, the percentage of billed electricity that is actually paid for, tumbled from 92% to 74% as revenues shrank. Capacity payments per unit rose from PKR 16.22 to PKR 17.31 between 2023-24 and 2024-25. The system is eating itself. Green energy is not reducing inequality in Pakistan. It is accelerating it.
Three Critical Solutions, and Why Each One Will Hurt
Every solution available to Pakistan is painful. Every solution carries severe trade-offs. There is no clean path forward. But doing nothing means watching circular debt compound until the entire system collapses. Here are the three most critical interventions, and an honest assessment of what each one will actually cost.
Solution 1: Renegotiate IPP Contracts
The government needs to shift from “pay regardless of usage” to performance-based payments. Capacity charges need to be renegotiated. The most expensive and least-used plants need to be phased out. Early terminations in 2024 already resulted in five IPPs being ended. Revisions in 2025 cut PKR 1.4 trillion total. That is the right direction.
But the consequences are severe. IPP owners face massive losses from forced cuts on guaranteed returns that were baked into their original risk calculations. Arbitration claims under international treaties will flood in. The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) handles such cases. Bilateral investment treaties with China and Saudi Arabia protect their investors.
Many IPPs lack deep pockets for prolonged legal fights, expect bankruptcies, fire-sale exits, and abandoned plants. Retaliation will be intense. Lawsuits, international arbitration, and blacklisting by lenders like the International Finance Corporation (IFC) are all coming. Seven IPPs only agreed to tariff cuts after direct cabinet pressure. This mirrors Argentina’s utility battles after the 2001 economic crisis, a comparison that should alarm anyone who remembers how that ended.
Government credibility will suffer. Future energy bids will demand 30-50% higher returns or sovereign guarantees to compensate for perceived contract risk. Foreign investment in energy will fall sharply. Chinese state-owned enterprises, Gulf funds, and local investors will look at more stable neighbours instead.
The net result is five to ten years of underinvestment, power costs rising 10-20% to attract replacement capital, and rolling blackouts during summer peaks. But the alternative, doing nothing, means circular debt compounds until the system collapses entirely. Painful surgery now, or death by a thousand cuts later.
Solution 2: Upgrade Grid Infrastructure
Pakistan needs smart meters, upgraded transformers that can handle bidirectional power flows, distributed grid management systems, and microgrids for rural areas that cannot be served by a central grid that is already struggling. Without this, every additional solar panel installed anywhere in the country makes the overall system less stable.
The financial reality is brutal. Sixty percent of utilities in emerging markets do not collect enough revenue to cover their operating and debt service costs. Pakistan’s utilities are functionally insolvent. They cannot pay for current operations, much less multi-billion-dollar grid upgrades. Grid infrastructure adequate to handle current distributed solar would require $5-15 billion over five to seven years. Pakistan is currently negotiating an IMF bailout. There is no obvious source for this money.
If Pakistan turns to multilateral lenders like the World Bank or Asian Development Bank, it will attach conditions: tariff increases, subsidy removal, and utility privatisation. Tariff increases are politically explosive. Subsidy removal has triggered riots in other countries; Sri Lanka’s 2022 collapse is the clearest recent example. Utility privatisation brings public backlash and strikes.
New grid infrastructure also takes five to fifteen years to plan, permit, and build. Solar installations take one to two years. Pakistan is already five years behind before a single contract is signed. In the meantime, transformer failures will continue, voltage problems will keep damaging household appliances, and industrial customers will keep installing their own off-grid systems, shrinking grid revenue further. Every year of delay makes the eventual bill larger.
Solution 3: Progressive Tariffs and Community Solar
The only way to distribute the costs and benefits of solar fairly is through structural reform of how people pay for the grid. This means community solar farms, where groups of households share the costs and benefits together, combined with progressive tariffs, higher-income solar owners pay a grid maintenance fee, while lower-income households receive subsidised base rates.
The implementation obstacles are enormous. In the United States, a country with functioning regulators and deep capital markets, community solar developers report connection costs up to 40 times higher than anticipated. One utility quoted a project $20 million to connect to the grid. The project itself cost $8 million.
In Pakistan, where utilities actively resist grid connections because they reduce their revenue, those costs would be even more prohibitive. Community solar also requires signing up hundreds of paying subscribers per project. Marketing costs alone run 15-25% of project budgets. In Pakistan’s environment, add corruption risk, ghost subscribers, and payment defaults on top.
Progressive tariffs require means-testing every household to determine which bracket they fall into. Pakistan’s formal tax base covers approximately 1% of the population. Verifying income for subsidy allocation opens the door to corruption, leakage, and fake documentation on a significant scale.
Wealthy solar owners will also fight grid maintenance fees aggressively through courts and political connections. They installed solar precisely to escape high tariffs, and being taxed for doing so will not be accepted quietly. This solution is the most equitable option available. It is also the one that requires the most political courage to push through.
What Happens If Pakistan Does Nothing
If none of these reforms is implemented, the trajectory is straightforward. Circular debt compounds. Grid demand keeps falling as more wealthy households go solar. Fixed costs keep rising for those who remain. Utilities become insolvent, blackouts spread, and industrial activity relocates to countries with stable and predictable power. The death spiral accelerates until Pakistan hits a breaking point, and at that point, the solutions described above become politically impossible because all room to manoeuvre has been lost. That is the actual choice in front of policymakers: painful reform now, or collapse later.
The Real Lesson
Pakistan’s solar boom is not a failure. It is not a success story either. It is a warning. The technology works. The institutions do not. This pattern is appearing globally, in California, in Germany, in India, wherever distributed solar has grown faster than the systems around it could adapt.
When you place 21st-century renewable energy onto 20th-century infrastructure and 19th-century economics without reforming the underlying systems, you do not get a green transition. You get exactly what Pakistan has today: a clean energy boom that is making the energy crisis worse for the people who need help most.
The government’s decision to cut solar buyback rates in February 2026 is being presented as a solution to grid instability and circular debt. In reality, it is a patch applied to a wound that requires surgery. It protects the existing centralised power structure while pushing the costs of that protection onto new solar adopters and the grid-dependent poor alike.
The question is not whether solar panels work; they do. The question is whether the political will exists to reform the contracts, infrastructure, and tariff systems that determine who benefits from clean energy and who pays for it. So far, the answer has consistently been the same. The wealthy benefit. Everyone else pays. Until that changes, no amount of solar panels will fix Pakistan’s energy crisis.
Note: Pakistan’s NEPRA officially changed the net metering policy on 9th February 2026, replacing it with a net billing system for new solar consumers. This article, written before that change, predicted exactly this outcome. The policy shift confirms the core argument made here.
