Karachi: Despite significant strides in electricity access, the majority of Pakistani households continue to rely on polluting fuels for cooking, highlighting an uneven energy transition in the country. According to Gilani Research Foundation, the latest PSLM / HIES 2024-25 Social Report reveals that while nearly 96% of households have access to electricity, only 38% use clean cooking fuels such as gas, LPG, electricity, or biogas. This leaves a substantial 62% still dependent on solid fuels like firewood and crop residues, which pose health and environmental risks.

The report, part of Gallup Pakistan’s Big Data Analysis Series initiated by Bilal I. Gilani, draws from data collected from over 32,000 households across Pakistan. It highlights the slow progress in clean cooking adoption, which has increased by a mere 3 percentage points since the 2018-19 period. The findings underscore a clear gap between achieving universal electricity access and improving energy quality, with clean cooking options lagging behind.

Provincial disparities further complicate the energy transition landscape. Punjab and Sindh have higher rates of clean fuel use compared to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, reflecting unequal infrastructure investment and affordability challenges. Solar energy is emerging as a complementary lighting source, with 18% of households utilizing it alongside grid electricity, though its adoption is uneven and more prevalent in already connected households.

The report suggests that while Pakistan has expanded energy availability, the challenge now lies in ensuring energy cleanliness and quality. The continued reliance on solid fuels, despite near-universal electricity access, signals that energy poverty is increasingly complex, necessitating integrated policy approaches that address infrastructure, affordability, and health outcomes.