Pakistan is implementing restrictive business hours and importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) to address a severe national energy crisis [1].

These measures reflect an attempt to stabilize a power grid struggling with insufficient domestic supply and high global oil prices. The instability threatens commercial activity and daily life for millions of citizens.

To curb energy consumption, the government introduced new operating-hour rules for shops and restaurants that took effect on May 5, 2024 [5]. These regulations force businesses to limit their hours of operation to reduce the overall load on the national grid.

The government has also pursued a volatile strategy regarding fuel imports. In mid-May 2024, the GasPort LNG terminal received its first cargo in nearly two months [1]. This arrival provided temporary relief after a prolonged period without imports.

However, procurement efforts have remained inconsistent. Energy officials recently received seven bids for an urgent LNG tender [2]. Despite the need for fuel, the government rejected the lowest bid for two LNG cargoes [2].

This contradiction in procurement suggests a struggle to balance the urgent need for energy with the high cost of imports. While some cargoes are accepted to prevent total collapse, others are rejected if the pricing does not meet specific government thresholds.

The crisis has created significant financial pressure on individuals. One resident, Abdul Rahim, reported a monthly electricity bill of 1,500 rupees [3]. In some regions, local solutions have emerged, such as a community hydropower project located about 20 km from the nearest town [4].

Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan and other officials continue to manage the shortfall through these combined austerity and import strategies [1].

“Pakistan is implementing restrictive business hours and importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) to address a severe national energy crisis.”

The erratic nature of Pakistan's LNG procurement—accepting some shipments while rejecting others—indicates a precarious balance between energy security and fiscal solvency. By pairing these imports with forced business closures, the state is attempting to manage a systemic deficit that domestic production cannot currently fill, signaling that the crisis is unlikely to resolve without a fundamental shift in energy infrastructure or a significant drop in global fuel prices.