ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States on Monday discussed ongoing reforms, future collaboration, and investment opportunities in Pakistan’s power sector.
Pakistan’s Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Leghari discussed the matters during a meeting with Acting US Ambassador to Pakistan Natalie Baker in Islamabad, Radio Pakistan reported.
During the meeting, the minister sought the envoy’s support in engaging US-based multilateral development partners and international financial institutions, including the IMF and the World Bank, to help address obstacles hindering the sustainable growth of Pakistan’s power sector.
He underscored the importance of development partners’ assistance in facilitating structural reforms and enhancing sectoral performance.
Leghari also briefed Natalie Baker on the recently launched Surplus Power Package, highlighting its potential to stimulate economic activity by providing competitively priced electricity to industrial consumers.
He requested US support in extending the package to greenfield industries, which would further encourage investment and industrial growth.
The discussion also covered ongoing efforts to address inefficiencies across the power distribution system, particularly in reducing technical and commercial losses and improving recoveries.
The US envoy lauded the Power Ministry’s ongoing reforms and commended the government’s efforts in reducing inefficiencies and managing circular debt through targeted, data-driven measures.
Both sides also explored investment opportunities for US investors, particularly in Pakistan’s power transmission sector, which offers significant potential for private sector participation.
The discussion further covered the privatisation of distribution companies (DISCOs).
Awais Leghari sought the Ambassador’s support in encouraging US investors to consider acquiring DISCOs currently slated for privatisation, stressing that private sector involvement is crucial for improving operational efficiency and service delivery.
