Pakistan administered Kashmir Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), rich in natural beauty and flowing rivers,, vibrant culture, and flourishing hydropower projects. However, beneath its scenic beauty lies a stark contradictiona region that powers Pakistan’s national grid yet its own residents languish in the darkness of chronic power outages. This editorial delves into the power paradox gripping AJK by highlighting the updated 2025 data, analyzing the economic and social impacts of energy mismanagement, and calling for urgent reform and accountability.
The Energy Landscape: Numbers That Demand Attention
Recent government reports and CPEC cooperative planning data for 2025 confirm that Azad Kashmir’s hydropower projects, both operational and under construction, generate an impressive 4,932 MW of electricity. Key projects like the Mangla Dam in Mirpur, Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower in Muzaffarabad, and the looming Kohala project illustrate the region’s monumental contribution to Pakistan’s energy needs. Despite this overwhelming capacity, AJK’s direct consumption is only around 385 MW – a mere fraction (less than 8%) of its generated power.
Here’s a detailed look at the region’s key hydropower projects:
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| Project Name | Capacity (MW) | Status | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mangla Dam | 1400 | Operational | Mirpur |
| Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower | 969 | Completed | Muzaffarabad |
| Kohala Hydropower Project | 1100 | Under Construction | Kohala |
| Karot Hydropower Project | 640 | Completed | Kotli |
| Gulpur Hydropower Plant | 100 | Completed | Palandri |
| Patrind Hydropower Plant | 147 | Operational | Muzaffarabad |
| Kotli Hydropower Plant | 100 | Under Construction | Kotli |
| Jagran, Kathai, Kutton, etc. | 476 (Combined) | Operational | Neelum Valley |
| Total Capacity | 4932 MW |
Despite this energy bonanza, the region is forced to endure lengthy daily power cuts lasting between 6 to 8 hours, especially during the blistering summer months when temperatures soar above 40°C. This glaring imbalance between production and local allocation has ignited debates about energy injustice and regional negligence.
The Financial Facade: Revenue vs. Local Reinvestment
The economic data for 2025 reveals that the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) purchases electricity from AJK projects at an average rate of Rs. 9.5 per unit. Standard output calculations show that:
- Daily Production: Approximately 11.8 million units
- Annual Production: Roughly 4.3 billion units
- Annual Revenue Generated: Over Rs. 41 billion
Yet, despite this substantial revenue generated by AJK’s natural resources, a very small portion is reinvested locally. The region’s annual development allocation is only Rs. 160 billion (2024 25), which is disproportionately low considering the massive energy wealth it contributes to the federal grid. This financial disparity has fueled growing resentment among local residents and energy experts alike.
Maintenance or Manipulation? The Politicization of Power Outages
Eyewitness accounts and anonymous interviews with residents from Neelum and Muzaffarabad suggest that the recurring power outages are not merely due to technical faults or routine maintenance. Many locals contend that these disruptions are strategically timed during periods of political unrest, protests, or sensitive electoral phases. One resident remarked:
“Whenever there’s a protest or any sign of political dissent, the power inexplicably cuts off. It feels intentional—a silent message that we should keep our voices down.”
Such allegations point toward a concerning practice where electricity becomes a tool not just for power supply but potentially for political suppression. This perceived abuse of energy policy exacerbates local grievances and calls for a deeper investigation into the real reasons behind these scheduled outages.
Human Cost: Life in the Shadows of Energy Injustice
The impact of the power crisis on the residents of AJK is profound. In the scorching summer months, when daytime temperatures in Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, and Mirpur frequently exceed 40°C, households are left without proper cooling, refrigeration, or even basic lighting. Schools, businesses, and hospitals face operational challenges, while families often resort to sleeping in open courtyards or communal spaces just to escape the oppressive heat of sealed spaces.
The dire living conditions have profound ramifications not only on physical health but also on mental well-being and community morale. The energy injustice faced by the people of AJK is a clear reflection of how the region’s immense resource wealth is squandered on other parts of the nation, leaving the locals to grapple with an antiquated, unreliable power supply system.
A Roadmap for Change: What Azad Kashmir Deserves
For the future of Azad Kashmir, structural changes in energy policy and allocation are imperative. Here are some key recommendations:
Guaranteed Local Allocation:
A minimum of 25–30% of all electricity generated in AJK should be earmarked exclusively for local consumption to ensure residents benefit from their own energy resources.
Revenue Sharing Models:
Establishing a transparent royalty or development fund that reinvests a percentage of the revenue generated by AJK’s hydropower projects directly into local infrastructure and social development.
Decentralized Grid Control:
Granting local authorities more autonomy in managing and distributing electricity can lead to better accountability, improved maintenance schedules, and a more responsive grid management system.
Public Accountability and Transparency:
WAPDA and other relevant agencies must provide detailed public reports outlining the reasons behind outages, maintenance schedules, and steps taken to ensure uninterrupted power for AJK residents.
Community Engagement in Policy-Making:
Encouraging the participation of local stakeholders in energy policy decisions to ensure that all voices are heard and that the community’s needs are prioritized.
The Promise of Azadi
At its core, the struggle for uninterrupted power in Azad Kashmir is symbolic of a larger fight for dignity, economic justice, and self determination. Azad (or “free”) does not merely imply political sovereignty—it also represents the empowerment of communities to harness their resources for their own development and well-being.
The people of AJK are not just energy producers; they are living, breathing communities that deserve the full benefits of the land that nurtures them. It is high time for Pakistan’s federal authorities, WAPDA, and all relevant stakeholders to address these profound disparities and work towards an energy system that not only lights up the nation but also illuminates the lives of its own people.
As we advance through 2025, the clarion call for energy justice in Azad Kashmir grows louder. The region’s potential is undeniable, and its resources are vast. However, true progress can only be achieved when power is truly in the hands of those who generate it—and when energy becomes a universal force for upliftment rather than a source of regional neglect.
