Green alternatives to oil dependence

Pakistan’s trade deficit surged to $39.47 billion in FY26, the highest in four years, highlighting the country’s deep structural dependence on imported energy. The petroleum group import bill alone reached $16.86bn, up from $15.94bn a year earlier, while crude oil imports jumped 32.1 per cent to $7.17bn. These figures underscore the urgent need to shift from imported fossil fuels to affordable green energy. Middle East conflicts and flawed energy policy have repeatedly forced Pakistan into last-minute purchases of oil and LNG at elevated spot prices. Rising shipping, insurance and geopolitical risk premiums have further inflated the country’s import bill, making energy the single largest…