Govt to collaborate with British High Commission on power sector reforms

KARACHI: The British High Commission and the government of Pakistan have announced a collaborative effort to enhance the country’s Power Division. This commitment was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Owais Leghari and Jo Moir, development director at the British High Commission in Islamabad.

During the meeting, Leghari presented a comprehensive overview of the reforms already carried out within the Power Division. He highlighted the critical role of the energy sector in Pakistan’s economic success and stability, noting that 55 per cent of the country’s energy is now derived from clean sources.

Moir, acknowledging the importance of governance in the energy sector, said that the British High Commission is keen to support Pakistan in improving governance within its energy sector. She further expressed the UK’s commitment to assisting Pakistan in making meaningful reforms.

Leghari also revealed that the government of Pakistan is set to introduce a new electric vehicle (EV) policy aimed at making electric vehicles more affordable for low-income groups. He mentioned the vital role of development partners in this initiative, particularly in ensuring the affordability and accessibility of EVs.

Under the new policy, charging stations and battery-swapping facilities will be established across the country, all of which will be powered by low-cost electricity. “The government will not purchase electricity in the future,” Leghari added, outlining plans to phase out future electricity purchases.

The minister also noted that development partners would play a key role in providing technical support during the ongoing privatisation process of electricity distribution companies.Moir assured that the British High Commission fully supports Pakistan’s energy reforms and would provide the necessary assistance to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives.Both sides reiterated their commitment to working together to improve the Power Division and advance the country’s energy sector.