The ongoing Iran conflict has exposed the heavy economic cost of fossil fuel dependence across Asia, with Pakistan and Bangladesh showing sharply different outcomes.
Bangladesh, reliant on imported LNG, was forced into costly spot market purchases after supply disruptions, paying nearly double prices and spending around $880 million in emergency imports.
In contrast, Pakistan’s rapid expansion in solar energy has reduced its fuel import dependence, helping it avoid major price shocks during the crisis.
Analysts say the situation highlights the urgent need for a global shift toward cleaner energy to reduce vulnerability to future disruptions.