Green Energy Transition in Pakistan: A Political Economy Analysis of Renewable Energy Policies (2020–2025)

Abstract

The transition toward green energy has become a defining challenge for Pakistan’s sustainable development and energy security. This study provides a comprehensive political economy analysis of Pakistan’s renewable energy policies between 2020 and 2025, emphasizing how political priorities, economic structures, and institutional capacities have shaped the country’s energy transition. Despite ambitious commitments under national and international frameworks, Pakistan’s shift toward renewables remains constrained by bureaucratic inertia, policy fragmentation, and the entrenched influence of fossil fuel lobbies. Through a qualitative examination of policy documents, government reports, think-tank publications, and scholarly works, this research reveals how global climate governance and domestic political dynamics intersect to influence renewable energy adoption. The analysis demonstrates that while international partnerships and private investments have created opportunities for clean energy expansion, governance weaknesses and regulatory uncertainty continue to slow progress. The findings highlight that Pakistan’s green energy transformation is not merely a technical or environmental reform—it is a deeply political process tied to questions of power distribution, institutional reform, and economic dependency. Ultimately, this paper argues that achieving a successful energy transition in Pakistan requires a coherent policy framework that aligns political will with sustainable development goals, institutional accountability, and inclusive growth.