SCO cooperation in energy sought
The minister invited international partners to invest in the nationwide rollout of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), estimating a $3 billion need to serve over 30 million consumers. PHOTO: File
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Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Thursday virtually addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Energy Ministers Conference, where he outlined Pakistan's vision for a clean, secure, and collaborative energy future.
Speaking under the theme "Integrate Innovation for Energy Future," Leghari stressed the urgent need for regional cooperation, technological advancement, and policy reforms to confront global energy challenges.
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), the minister highlighted Pakistan's ongoing energy sector transformation, underscoring the shift from short-term fixes to long-term structural reforms in the energy sector. He pointed to the establishment of several new institutions — such as the Power Planning & Monitoring Company (PPMC), Energy Infrastructure Development and Management Company (EIDMC), National Grid Company (NGC), and Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) — as a foundation for improved governance, modernisation of the grid, and promoting transparent market operations.
Leghari reaffirmed Pakistan's clean energy targets, reiterating the government's commitment to reaching 60% renewable energy and 30% electric vehicle penetration by 2030. He outlined initiatives such as the deployment of smart meters, enhancement of operational efficiency through data-driven systems, and the launch of a dedicated Research & Development (R&D) Secretariat to encourage local innovation and technology transfer.
Underscoring Pakistan's geographical position as a regional energy bridge between Central Asia, South Asia, and the Gulf, Leghari called for greater cross-border electricity trade, investment in shared infrastructure, and the creation of joint security frameworks for energy systems. He stressed the importance of completing the CASA-1000 project and urged Afghanistan to fully participate as both a transit and offtake country to support regional energy integration and stability.
To strengthen collaboration under the SCO framework, Leghari proposed five initiatives: the creation of an SCO Secretariat for Energy Innovation and R&D Collaboration, an Energy Innovation Fellowship Programme for young researchers, joint demonstration sites in Pakistan for renewable and smart grid technologies, a web-based Energy Cooperation Dashboard for project tracking, and a Project Prioritisation Committee to focus on high-impact initiatives.
Looking ahead, the minister announced Pakistan's upcoming energy infrastructure investment plan, which will offer international partners bankable opportunities, supported by promising a transparent and investor-friendly environment. He invited international partners to invest in the nationwide rollout of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), estimating a $3 billion need to serve over 30 million consumers.
"Pakistan is not only seeking investment," Leghari said, "we are offering long-term partnerships built on trust, innovation, and mutual benefit. We are ready to work with all SCO member states to turn our shared energy goals into practical solutions that benefit our people and our region."
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