Book reviews edited by Chris Taylor Energy Crisis in Pakistan: Origins, Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions

Citation

Hussain Shaheed Soherwordi, S. (2011), "Book reviews edited by Chris Taylor Energy Crisis in Pakistan: Origins, Challenges, and Sustainable Solutions", International Journal of Law and Management, Vol. 53 No. 6, pp. 462-463. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542431111185213

Muhammad Asif is a leading figure in the new generation of Pakistani energy scientists and has previously written on subjects including hydro‐energy and the Kalabagh Dam. This book is a welcome addition to the scarce literature on the energy crisis in Pakistan, not least because it offers considerably more than mere comment on Pakistan's social and economic infrastructure. It is divided into seven chapters which consider energy, the institutional framework, the recent energy crisis in Pakistan and sustainable energy options.

The first two chapters, entitled “Energy and its wider dimensions” – I and II, provide an interesting analysis of energy and sustainable development, fossil fuels, nuclear energy and renewable energy resources in Pakistan. The author outlines the effects of successive developments in energy resources from coal to oil reserves, together with the impact of their eventual depletion, before advocating a move towards low‐carbon energy systems in order to safeguard the future of coming generations. In doing so, Asif gives a full and detailed account of the oil‐driven foreign policy of global actors and geo‐strategic conflicts in the twentieth century, arguing that the geo‐politics of the present day have been increasingly influenced by pursuit for energy resources. As part of this analysis, Asif provides a detailed background of energy as a historical influence on foreign policy, asserting that “one of the main motives behind Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland and the Soviet Union was also to control their oilfields”. He also highlights the continuing importance of politics in the energy sector in the post‐Second World War and post‐Cold War eras by highlighting the US policies to dominate the oil rich areas of the world especially Middle East.

In Chapters 3 and 4, Asif moves on to describe Pakistan's energy agencies, the institutional framework and the background to the energy crisis. He begins with a brief assessment of the heavily criticised policies and approach of the energy authorities, before moving on to discuss the integrative functions of energy resources in Pakistan. However, this is little more than a cursory review as Asif is more interested in analysing the ritualistic and performative nature of energy culture which has been adopted by successive governments in Pakistan. The book not only explores in depth how individuals construct socially acceptable and unacceptable expressions of energy and power generation, but also analyses the process by which the domestic politics of energy consumption are experienced by, and lead to disputes between, government and the governed. Asif supports this analysis with images of public frustration surrounding the current energy crisis in Pakistan.

Having established the background to the debate, Chapter 5 argues for change. Proposals include changes to policy and decision‐making processes in relation to energy and natural resources in Pakistan and strengthening the role of the relevant stakeholders. After considering the practical difficulty of dealing with energy issues, Asif moves on to assess the role of academia, industry and energy departments, arguing that lack of vision, corruption and nepotism have all impeded the development of the energy sector in Pakistan. Asif illustrates this point by reference to the allegations of corruption surrounding the privatization of energy departments like KESC, hasty deals on independent power producers, and the apparently politically motivated snatching of power projects from WAPDA.

The final chapter is focused on possible solutions to the energy problems facing Pakistan. Asif highlights coal as an alternate source of energy in Pakistan, where huge reserves which still remained untapped, and considers the possible use of nuclear energy, hydropower, solar energy, and solar thermal power.

While this is a highly commendable volume, a chapter on India‐Pakistan‐Iran gas and oil pipeline project and Caspian Sea oil politics would have been a great addition. However, it should still be said that it would be difficult to produce a more comprehensive and impressive book from a single author in this field. It will be counted as an important and pioneering contribution to the debate surrounding the energy‐sector crisis in Pakistan.

This book will appeal to scholars and practitioners alike but will also be of interest to anyone concerned with energy and renewable resources who would like to acquaint themselves with the particular complexities of energy praxis and activism in Pakistan. This includes those directly affected by the energy shortage in Pakistan who may be interested to know what has caused such a great crisis in their country.