Latest news with #AwaisLeghari
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
CERP and Princeton launch energy transition roadmap
ISLAMABAD: In a significant step toward building a sustainable and resilient energy future, the Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP) and researchers from Princeton University have initiated a project to develop a long-term energy transition planning framework for Pakistan. The initiative comes at a time when Pakistan's energy sector faces high costs, volatility, and an overreliance on imported fossil fuels, which account for nearly 60% of the country's energy supply. Outdated infrastructure, inefficient management, and transmission bottlenecks have contributed to persistent power shortages and a growing circular debt crisis, issues that the roadmap aims to address while planning for future growth, sustainability, and climate resilience. The launch event, 'Pakistan's Energy Transition Roadmap,' was part of a two-day workshop, the final of a three-part capacity-building and learning series, which brought together over 50 policymakers, researchers, and private-sector experts. Drawing on Princeton's Net-Zero project expertise, this initiative will provide Pakistan with practical, evidence-based guidance on how to equitably move from reliance on expensive, imported fossil fuels to cleaner, more affordable energy sources aligned with economic growth and development goals. Pakistan's power sector indigenization need of the hour: Awais Leghari Speaking at the event, Federal Minister for Energy SardarAwais Ahmad Khan Leghari emphasized the need for an integrated plan. 'The Energy and Petroleum Division are working separately, but for the plan to be truly effective, it needs to be built on real, credible data...I believe we need to formalize this relationship with CERP to help us plan better and gain valuable insights from their experts. CERP is uniquely positioned to advise us and help us identify the issues they have expertise in.' The Minister added. Bilal Anwar, CEO of the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), added that climate risks and natural disasters make planning ahead more urgent than ever to avoid future social and economic costs. 'This project isn't about imposing ideas, it's about co-creating a roadmap that respects Pakistan's unique challenges while exploring practical opportunities for cleaner, more affordable energy. At CERP, we ensure that every step we take is rooted in rigorous evidence, so that solutions are grounded in real data and tailored to Pakistan's specific needs,' said Maroof A. Syed, President & CEO of CERP. Reflecting on his three years with this workshop series, Dr Chris Greig, Senior Research Scientist at Princeton's Andlinger Center for Energy and Environment, noted, 'These discussions with participants, sector specialists, policymakers and other stakeholders have been valuable in helping us understand the real challenges and the urgency of finding context-specific solutions that work for Pakistan's economy and people. They also help us think about development-compatible pathways to Pakistan's sustainable energy future.' Over the last three years, the Julis-Rabinowitz Center for Public Policy & Finance at Princeton SPIA has cosponsored this workshop series. Pallavi Nuka, the Center's Associate Director said, 'Initially focused on capacity building, these workshops have directly contributed to catalyzing significant thinking about Pakistan's energy policies and fostered valuable collaborations. Building on this foundation, this initiative will help policymakers understand the bigger picture when it comes to planning for Pakistan's future energy needs.' The roadmap project, now beginning its detailed work, will explore multiple, development-compatible pathways to meet Pakistan's growing energy demand, reduce environmental and economic costs, and identify investment opportunities in renewables that support climate resilience. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Energy wastage: Leghari seeks support from CMs, Ahsan
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Power Sardar Awais Leghari has sought support from the provincial chief ministers and the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, for the implementation of building codes aimed at curbing energy wastage. In letters addressed to the minister for planning and provincial chief ministers, Leghari referred to his earlier communication dated January 1, 2025, regarding the 'Implementation of Energy Building Code–2023.' He emphasised that the building sector is a major contributor to the national energy crisis, accounting for over 60 per cent of total energy consumption. 'This demand peaks in the summer months due to high cooling loads resulting from conventional building designs that largely ignore energy efficiency during planning, construction, and operational phases.' Minister launches 'Energy Conservation Building Code 2023' Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Leghari recalled that the prime minister, during a strategic roadmap meeting on energy conservation held on February 1, 2023, had directed the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) to revise the Building Code of Pakistan (Energy Provisions 2011). Accordingly, development authorities were instructed to amend their building by-laws to include energy efficiency measures. The revised Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC-2023) was approved by the Federal Cabinet on August 9, 2023, and the National Economic Council (NEC) also directed all provinces to ensure its implementation. 'It is essential to recognize that both the public and private sectors play a pivotal role in shaping the energy landscape of the building sector,' the minister stated. 'Public sector investments under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), and private developments regulated by municipalities and local governments, present a vital opportunity to promote energy efficiency.' Leghari has reiterated his proposal to integrate ECBC-2023 into PSDP projects by incorporating an energy efficiency analysis section into the Planning Commission's manuals (PC-1 to PC-5). He suggested that the approval of PSDP projects—particularly infrastructure schemes—should be contingent upon achieving at least 50 per cent energy savings compared to conventional designs. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
NEPRA decision on KE tariff alarms Power Division
The Power Division has expressed serious concerns over the seven-year Multi-Year Tariff (MYT) decision recently issued by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) for K-Electric, warning it could have far-reaching financial and policy implications. Federal Minister for Power Awais Leghari has warned that such determinations could negatively impact investment confidence in future MYT periods. In a statement issued on the social media platform 'X' on Wednesday, the minister said the ministry has observed some serious concerns regarding NEPRA's multiple decisions about K-Electric's licenses for generation, transmission, distribution and supply, adding that these decisions also touch upon the investment plan for the upcoming multi-year tariff period. "These rulings have significant long-term effects on consumer tariffs and the federal government's subsidies within a uniform tariff regime." He revealed that the ministry was planning to review the recently issued determinations related to transmission, distribution, and supply. Meanwhile, a reconsideration of the earlier generation tariff decision was awaiting NEPRA's attention, despite being submitted back in December 2024. "This delay poses serious financial implications for the power sector and its subsidies." Additionally, he cautioned that if certain areas were not addressed, they could negatively impact consumers and the regulatory environment, potentially hindering Pakistan's efforts to encourage private participation in the distribution sector.
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's power sector: where theft wants reward and compliance gets penalized
The country loses Rs600 billion annually to electricity theft; the figure, even by conservative estimates, is a stark reminder of the system and governance failures that have compromised our institutional capability to reform the energy sector. Federal Energy Minister Awais Leghari's comments on different occasions also make another thing clear: there is sufficient power supply available, but additional demand is coming from areas entrenched in non-payment and power theft. It's not Pakistan's energy capacity, but the people's ability and willingness to pay. Supplying energy to areas where power theft is rampant would inflict additional losses on the national exchequer. These are not technical or operational issues—they are also a massive bone of contention for honest, paying consumers and institutional reform efforts. K-Electric's data-driven, economic loss-based load shedding is not arbitrary—it is fundamental to fairness to regularly paying customers. Recently in areas like Malir Colony, Jinnah Square and Khokrapar—where losses are at least 90%, if not more, and cumulative dues stand at Rs 1.087 billion—as per information from the power utility, a mob protest was held by a political party. Only a couple of kilometers away in Model Colony and adjacent areas like Shah Faisal Colony and Indus Mehran, residents pay their bills and face no loadshedding. Are these citizens to be punished for compliance, while defaulters get political sympathy and power? Protests and political sloganeering cannot overwrite the fact that non-payment is also parallel to theft of power and is now being adopted by masses as a choice to get free electricity. The optics of protests in economic hub Karachi, led by organized factions, only serve to amplify investor unease. This isn't just a civic management issue, it's an investment risk. If law-abiding areas are destabilized for political mileage, what credibility does Pakistan hold in global capital markets? The Federal Government and Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) have done heavy lifting: unlocking capital, negotiating tariff rebasing, and aligning government priorities with investor confidence. All of this is jeopardized if the narrative shifts toward subsidizing theft and undermining compliance. What are lawmakers in Provincial Assembly of Sindh pushing for when they want uninterrupted power supply also threatening arrests of officials of the sole power supplier of the city. There is no room—nor justification—for free electricity. Any deviation from this principle is a direct threat to fiscal reform, investor sentiment, and the integrity of Pakistan's power sector roadmap. The message to all stakeholders must be clear: compliance is rewarded, theft is penalized. Anything less is economic self-sabotage. The article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Business Recorder or its owners
Express Tribune
12-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PAC probes mosque solar project lapses
Refuting rumours of new taxes on solar power, Minister for Power Awais Leghari stated that the government has no such plans in the near future. photo: file The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has taken notice of Rs200 million advance payment made under the mosque solarization project in Mardan and has ordered a formal inquiry into the matter. The committee instructed that the investigation report be submitted within one month. During the session, concerns were also raised regarding the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) for allegedly diverting development funds to pay employee salaries and cover other non-developmental expenses. The PAC meeting was initially chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and later by MPA Idrees Khattak. At the start of the session, Speaker Swati noted that the committee was meeting after a prolonged gap due to a year-long period of political instability in the country. He also referenced recent Indian aggression, stating that the Pakistani armed forces had decisively countered the threat, securing a symbolic '6-0' victory, and reaffirmed Pakistan's readiness to respond to any future aggression. The session reviewed the audit report for the fiscal year 201819. During deliberations, financial irregularities amounting to Rs145.4 million within the PDA were examined. According to officials from the Auditor General's office, the PDA had decided to invest a surplus amount of Rs1.8 billion, of which Rs1.15 billion was invested. However, Rs650 million remained unutilized. In response, the Secretary for Local Government explained that the uninvested funds were used to pay employee salaries due to delays in disbursements from the Finance Department. PAC Chairman Idrees Khattak questioned the legality of using funds allocated for one purpose for a different purpose. The secretary further clarified that, to ensure operational continuity, funds are sometimes internally reclassified into various categories, and that operational funds are occasionally redirected to cover development expenditures. The PAC instructed the PDA and other departments and public institutions to regularly convene Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) meetings to ensure transparency and accountability. PAC member Abdul Salam Afridi brought the issue of the Rs200 million advance payment in the Mardan mosque solarization project to the committee's attention, stating that no physical work had begun despite full payment. He added that repeated requests for an inquiry to the Local Government Department and Anti-Corruption Establishment had not yielded any progress. In response, the Local Government Secretary stated that an inquiry against the former Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMO) of Mardan had been initiated and the official had been removed from office.
