It is 2025, and yet Pakistan continues to grapple with a problem that should have long been consigned to the past: load shedding. Despite repeated assurances by successive governments and the installation of new power plants over the years, power outages continue to be a persistent and deeply disruptive reality across the country. This is not just an inconvenience, it is a national crisis. Entire communities are plunged into darkness for hours each day. Small businesses suffer. Students preparing for exams are left without light or internet access. Hospitals operate on backup generators that often fail. Moreover, in the blistering summer heat, millions endure without the relief of fans or air conditioning. The most frustrating part? We have the technical capacity and resources to fix this–what we lack is the political will, efficient management, and long-term planning. Load shedding in Pakistan is not simply a matter of electricity generation falling short. It is a multifaceted issue rooted in the circular debt crisis, power theft, transmission losses, and misgovernance. As of April 2025, the power sector’s circular debt has reached a staggering Rs2.396 trillion, with payables to power producers increasing by Rs33 billion to Rs1.633 trillion. To address this, the government is negotiating a Rs1.25 trillion ($4.47 billion) loan with commercial banks to reduce its energy sector debt. Power Minister Awais Leghari indicated that the loan term would span 5 to 7 years, to eliminate government-guaranteed debt and shift to a revenue-based model. Then there is the burden of imported energy. A decade ago, Pakistan sought China’s aid to alleviate its energy crisis by building coal, solar, and hydroelectric power plants. However, the high costs of repaying Chinese loans and currency devaluation have left Pakistan with enormous debts and unaffordable electricity prices. Citizens like motorbike driver Muhammad Imtiaz struggle to afford basic utilities as electricity bills surpass monthly incomes. In response, Pakistan is requesting Chinese power plants operating in the country to transition from using imported coal to coal from Pakistan’s Thar region. This move aims to reduce energy costs and alleviate pressure on Islamabad’s foreign exchange reserves. While we produce enough electricity on paper to meet our needs, much of it never reaches consumers due to outdated infrastructure and systemic inefficiencies. Distribution companies (DISCOs), many of which operate in deficit, fail to recover dues and maintain grid systems. Meanwhile, power producers remain unpaid, further deepening the circular debt cycle. Government after government has promised reforms. Yet we see little beyond cosmetic fixes–temporary relief in election years, followed by a return to extended outages once the votes are cast. Projects like the CPEC energy corridor held promise but have not been matched by transparency, regulatory reform, or investment in upgrading distribution networks. Moreover, the urban-rural divide in power distribution adds another layer of injustice. Urban centers receive a relatively stable supply, while rural areas suffer hours-long blackouts, reinforcing the inequality between Pakistan’s cities and villages. Pakistan needs a radical shift in how we approach energy. First, we must invest not just in generation but also in transmission and distribution. Without fixing the last mile of the grid, new megawatts are meaningless. Second, there must be a crackdown on power theft and a cultural shift towards responsible energy consumption. Third, policymakers need to consider decentralized, renewable energy solutions–especially solar, which is well-suited to Pakistan’s climate and offers resilience in remote or underserved areas. Finally, there must be political accountability. Load shedding is not just a technical issue–it is a failure of governance. Until the public demands reform, transparency, and delivery from its elected officials, we will continue to live in darkness, both literally and figuratively.