The Hidden Price Tag of Fossil Fuels in Pakistan
When we fill our cars with petrol or pay the electricity bill, it feels like we’re already paying enough for energy. But the reality is that fossil fuels in Pakistan come with a hidden price tag — one that shows up in hospital bills, destroyed crops, flooded homes, and billions spent on energy imports. Pakistan has already started to recognize this hidden cost through a carbon tax on fuel, officially called the Climate Support Levy . The real question now is: where should this money go to make the biggest difference? The True Cost of Fossil Fuels in Pakistan Smog and Public Health Every winter, Lahore and Karachi disappear under a blanket of smog. This isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s deadly. According to the World Bank, air pollution costs Pakistan around 6.5% of GDP annually through healthcare costs and lost productivity. Floods Made Worse by Climate Change Pakistan emits less than 1% of global greenhouse gases, yet we are among the most climate-vulnerable nations. The 2022 floo...