ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Leghari on Monday met U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Natalie Baker to discuss ongoing power-sector reforms, future collaboration and investment opportunities in Pakistan’s energy landscape.
Leghari urged U.S. support in engaging major development partners and international financial institutions — including the IMF and World Bank — to help remove bottlenecks slowing down sustainable sector growth. He said multilateral assistance was vital for implementing structural reforms and improving overall performance.
The minister briefed the ambassador on the Surplus Power Package, designed to stimulate economic activity by offering competitively priced electricity to industries. He also sought U.S. backing to extend the package to greenfield industrial projects to spur fresh investment and accelerate industrialisation.
Both sides reviewed efforts to curb distribution inefficiencies, reduce technical and commercial losses, and enhance recoveries. Baker appreciated the government’s data-driven initiatives, noting progress in reducing inefficiencies and better managing circular debt.
Investment prospects for American companies were also highlighted, particularly in power transmission. Leghari encouraged U.S. investors to explore opportunities in transmission infrastructure and the upcoming privatisation of power distribution companies (DISCOs), stressing that private-sector participation is essential for improving service delivery.
In a separate meeting with Frederic Ribieras, CEO of GE Vernova’s hydropower business, Leghari discussed Pakistan’s clean energy transition, hydropower development and energy storage solutions. He reiterated the government’s shift toward a market-driven power sector, with future generation to be led by the private sector.
The minister noted Pakistan’s progress in achieving nearly 56% clean energy generation and emphasised the need for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to support variable renewable energy. Ribieras recommended pumped-storage hydropower as an alternative. Leghari welcomed the suggestion, reaffirming that the government is open to all least-cost, sustainable energy solutions.
