The ongoing Middle East conflict is exacting a heavy toll on various countries, including Pakistan, owing to a variety of reasons. One of the major reasons is severe disruptions in energy supplies for Pakistan, which is highly dependent on imported oil and petroleum products. Not only have the prices of petrol and diesel shot up, the rates of LPG are also on the rise.
The situation is indeed dire/critical. The protracted conflict, which has principally manifested in the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz for several months, is likely to persist for a longer time in view of the US-Iran war. The Pakistan government needs to initiate a campaign aimed at conserving energy as much as possible. That is what can be done to deal, albeit partially, with energy shortages.
Rehan Malik, Rawalpindi
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026