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             The study also lays a foundation for future       Arshad, M., & O’Kelly, B. C. (2018). Diagnosis of electricity crisis and scope of
             interdisciplinary research on energy transitions in   wind power in Pakistan. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers
                                                                  - Energy, 171(1), 22–32. https://doi.org/10.1680/jener.17.00021
             emerging economies. Ultimately, it serves as a blueprint
             for reform efforts that aim to achieve energy security,   EFFECT (OECD). (2022). Equitable framework and finance for
             fiscal stability, and inclusive growth by addressing the   extractive-based countries in transition (EFFECT). OECD Development
                                                                  Policy Tools. https://doi.org/10.1787/7871c0ad-en
             financial, technical, and institutional aspects of circular
             debt in Pakistan.                                 Gass, P., Gerasimchuk, I., Dominguez Ordonez, C., Beaton, C., Suharsono, A.,
                                                                  & Lim, J. (2019). Mapping fossil fuel subsidies in developing countries.
             Path Forward: Breaking Free from the                 International Institute for Sustainable Development.
             Circular Debt Trap                                IEA. (2020). World energy outlook 2020. International Energy Agency.
                                                                  https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2020
             Pakistan’s persistent circular debt crisis is more than a
                                                               Iqbal, R., Abdullah, F. B., Jawaid, M., Memon, I., Mughal, S., Memon, F. S., &
             fiscal dilemma—it reflects deep-rooted governance
                                                                  Rizvi, S. S. A. (2021). Energy security index of Pakistan (ESIOP). Energy
             failures, misaligned incentives, and fragmented      Strategy      Reviews,       36,       100710.
             policymaking. Despite repeated reform pledges, foreign   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2021.100710
             assistance, and ad hoc rescue efforts, circular debt has
                                                               Khatri, S. A., Mirjat, N. H., Harijan, K., Uqaili, M. A., Shah, S. F., Shaikh, P. H., &
             ballooned to over PKR 2.5 trillion.  This continued   Kumar, L. (2022). An overview of the current energy situation of
             escalation highlights the fragility of the energy sector   Pakistan and the way forward towards green energy implementation.
             and the consequences of relying on short-term fixes   Energies, 16(1), 423. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010423
             instead of implementing long-term structural solutions.
                                                               Mahmood, A. (2016). Review of government’s performance in power sector
                                                                  (2013–2016). Policy Perspectives, 13(2), 193–217. https://doi.org/
             The circular debt challenge is multifaceted—         10.13169/polipers.13.2.0193
             intertwining fiscal policy, institutional integrity, energy
             pricing,  consumer   behavior,  and   geopolitical  Mufti, G. M., Jamil, M., Nawaz, M., Rehman, M. U., Hassan, S. Z., & Kamal, T.
                                                                  (2016). Evaluating the issues and challenges in context of the energy
             vulnerabilities.  The inability of distribution companies
                                                                  crisis of Pakistan. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 9(36), 1–8.
             (DISCOs) to maintain financial viability is largely due to   https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i36/102146
             policy inertia, weak institutional capacity, and
                                                               OECD. (2021). Clean energy finance and investment policy review of Viet
             overlapping jurisdictions between ministries and
                                                                  Nam. Green Finance and Investment. https://doi.org/10.1787/
             regulatory bodies. The crisis is further compounded by   61c33f7f-en
             the absence of credible accountability mechanisms.
                                                               OECD. (2022). Equitable framework and finance for extractive-based
             Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive and   countries in transition (EFFECT). OECD Development Policy Tools.
                                                                  https://doi.org/10.1787/7871c0ad-en
             integrated reform agenda that goes beyond surface-level
             interventions. Electricity tariffs must reflect the actual   Pargal, S., & Mayer, K. M. (2016). Governance structures and constraints in
             cost of supply and be supported by targeted social   public service delivery: A case study of the electricity sector in India.
             protection programs. Generalized subsidies should be   World  Bank  Policy  Research  Working  Paper  No.  7772.
                                                                  https://doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450-7772
             phased out, accompanied by performance audits of
             DISCOs to ensure accountability.                  Shahid, M., Ullah, K., Imran, K., Mahmood, A., & Arentsen, M. (2021). LEAP
                                                                  simulated economic evaluation of sustainable scenarios to fulfill the
             The adoption of smart meters, time-of-use pricing, and   regional electricity demand in Pakistan. Sustainable Energy
             accelerated deployment of renewable energy sources is   Technologies and Assessments, 46, 101292. https://doi.org/
                                                                  10.1016/j.seta.2021.101292
             essential to reduce reliance on imported fuels and
             diversify the energy mix. Resolving the crisis will demand   Singh, A., Jamasb, T., Nepal, R., & Toman, M. (2018). Electricity cooperation
             political commitment, independent regulatory oversight,   in South Asia: Barriers to cross-border trade. Energy Policy, 120,
                                                                  544–561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2017.12.048
             and the restoration of public confidence. Reforms must
             be    inclusive,  data-driven,  and  transparent—  Tauhidi, A., & Chohan, U. W. (2020). The conundrum of circular debt. SSRN
             incorporating feedback from diverse stakeholders. A   Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3513225
             sustainable solution also requires depoliticizing energy
                                                                About the Author:  The writer is Senior Vice President at the
             governance, enhancing institutional capacity, and   National Bank of Pakistan, with over 19 years of experience in HR
             incentivizing private sector participation.        across banking and corporate sectors. He has held key roles at Aga
                                                                Khan University Hospital, First Women Bank, United Bank Limited,
             References                                         and NIB (now MCB). He has been teaching HR at the University of
                                                                Karachi since 2014. He holds an MBA, LLB (Gold Medal), LLM, MHRM
             Ali, S. S., & Badar, S. (2010). Dynamics of circular debt in Pakistan and its   (Gold Medal), and various certifications, blending practical
                resolution. The Lahore Journal of Economics, 15(Special Edition),   experience with academic expertise.
                61–74.




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