ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Power, Sardar Awais Leghari, conveyed the nation’s comprehensive energy vision during his address at the virtual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Energy Ministers’ meeting onThursday. The minister highlighted significant reforms within Pakistan’s power sector while advocating for enhanced regional energy connectivity, particularly through initiatives such as the CASA-1000 electricity transmission project.
In his presentation, Minister Leghari outlined several key achievements and future objectives. He revealed that the closure of inefficient power plants had yielded substantial fiscal savings, preserving billions of rupees from the national exchequer. Looking ahead, Pakistan has set an ambitious target of generating 60 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, with solar and wind projects constituting major components of this transition.
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The minister also highlighted ongoing technological modernisation efforts, noting that approximately USD 2 billion in investment would be required to implement smart metering systems for 30 million consumers nationwide. Additionally, he introduced a new tariff structure designed to promote electric vehicle adoption and stimulate local research and development in the energy sector.
Regional cooperation emerged as a central theme of Minister Leghari’s address. He emphasized that Afghanistan’s full participation remains indispensable for the successful implementation of the CASA-1000 project. To foster long-term energy innovation across SCO member states, Pakistan proposed the establishment of a permanent SCO Secretariat for Energy. The minister further suggested the creation of a digital dashboard to monitor transnational power initiatives and pitched the idea of a youth fellowship program to cultivate expertise in the energy domain.
These proposals come at a critical juncture for Pakistan’s energy sector, which continues to grapple with persistent circular debt challenges while pursuing infrastructure modernisation. Official sources indicate that 47 percent of the current smart meter installation targets across distribution companies (DISCOs) have already been met. The minister’s address reflects Pakistan’s dual commitment to domestic energy sector transformation and active engagement in regional energy cooperation frameworks.