Islamabad:
A high -level World Bank delegation led by the Regional Director of South Asia Pankaj Gupta held separate meetings with the federal minister of Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and Minister of Power Department Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari.
The two sides discussed strategic partnerships and technical support to promote the energy sector in the country.
The meeting focused on accelerating sustainable energy development, improving the infrastructure and tackling the most important challenges in the oil and gas sector.
The Petroleum Minister repeated the government’s obligation to modernize Pakistan’s energy landscape through integrated energy planning, improved efficiency and pure energy initiatives. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation and investments in fulfilling the country’s long -term energy security and sustainability goals.
Gupta confirmed the World Bank’s continued support for Pakistan’s energy reforms and expressed optimism in terms of expanding cooperation. He acknowledged the progress that the government has made and discussed potential technical assistance programs to further strengthen institutional capacity and infrastructure.
Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari
The discussion focused on ongoing reforms in Pakistan’s energy sector, privatization efforts and opportunities for long -term cooperation, said a press release issued Power Division.
Welcome to the delegation, the Minister of Power said we are currently at a critical stage in the privatization of distribution companies. “Our goal is to accommodate the energy needs of the future generations in a cost -effective and sustainable way,” he said.
Gupta emphasized that energy remains one of the World Bank’s highest priorities and noticed Pakistan’s remarkable potential for sustained hydropower, especially through the Indus River System.
He added that the World Bank is trying to develop a comprehensive, long-term plan with Pakistan’s electricity sector, enabling adaptation to the bank’s ten-year strategic framework for the country.
Gupta emphasized the importance of using models such as the integrated generational capacity expansion plan (IGCEP) and Integrated Energy Planning (IEP) to precisely predict demand and resource availability.
He said that choosing the right projects, locating them correctly and maintaining affordable prices are important elements. “We support involving the NTDC in the planning process and believe that the transmission system should remain in the public sector until fully prepared for privatization,” he said.
