Video: Women from Ghotki, Pakistan speak on the impacts of fossil gas

Engro Powergen Qadirpur (EPQL) stands as Engro Energy’s first flagship business, launched in 2007. It is located in Qadirpur Deh Belo Sanghari about 3 to 3.5 kilometers away from the city of Ghotki, Sindh Pakistan. The construction of a 217MW combined cycle gas power plant began in 2008. Engro Powergen Qadirpur officially declared 27 March 2010 the start of its commercial operations.  The IFC invested $70.20 million in October 2008, which includes a loan of $67.2 million and a $3.0 million equity, and exited the project in 2017.

The socio-economic effects of the EPQL on the local communities in Ghotki are far-reaching and profound. Numerous women and their families are facing hardships and reduced quality of life due to environmental pollution and limited access to stable employment opportunities, leading to heightened economic vulnerability. Women suffer from increased domestic work, lack of other livelihood opportunities, and the consequences of inadequate health care facilities, which in turn worsens and reinforces their marginalisation in their highly patriarchal communities.

Hear the voices of women from Ghotki on the impacts of the fossil gas power plant on their lives. Read their story in the publication Gas Does Not Equal Development: Why public finance for fossil gas is not the solution for women in Asia and Africa.

Many thanks to Indus Consortium for creating this video!