Unfortunately, Pakistan is also deficient in mineral resources, especially in metallic minerals which are often located in inaccessible and thinly populated areas. The exploitation of minerals in these remote regions cannot be undertaken easily. Pakistan is not well equipped enough economically or technologically to take on such a task.
Pakistanis also at a disadvantage in the sphere of energy resources, even though per capita energy consumption is low at ten times less than the world average. Load shedding is a regular practice, reducing the productivity of industries, hindering tube well irrigation and inconveniencing the common consumer. About 45 percent of villages have yet to be electrified. Even in large cities, many households have no electricity, Although Pakistan has a number of energy sources, they have not been exploited to their full potential. Pakistan's petroleum resources are limited. In 1969-70. domestic production met 12 percent of the local demand, in 1989-90 percent, and in 1997-8, 17 percent.
Gas requirements are met largely through domestic sources, especially after the discovery of new gas fields clearly demonstrates that oil and gas exploration in Pakistan has not been done as thoroughly as it should have been. The main handicaps are shortage of trained personnel, financial resources and technology. The installed capacity of hydroelectricity in Pakistan is 4.825 megawatts. However, this wonderful resources has not been fully exploited because of faulty planning and financial constraints.
Unfortunately, the coal produced in Pakistan is coal mined in grade and has poor heat qualities. The bulk of the coal mined in Pakistan is used in brick kilns. Even in this area, there is much scope for further exploration in 1992, the large Thar Coalfield was discovered.