ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday constituted a high-level task force to formulate Pakistan’s first comprehensive national policy on waste-to-energy projects, aiming to promote clean energy generation and attract private sector investment.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the task force will develop a clear national strategy, institutional framework, and implementation roadmap to advance waste-to-energy initiatives across the country.
The proposed policy is expected to facilitate local and foreign investment in the sector while encouraging greater participation from private companies in converting municipal and industrial waste into usable energy.
Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has been appointed convener of the task force.
The body also includes Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, along with federal secretaries for climate change and inter-provincial coordination.
In addition, secretaries of local government, climate change, and energy departments from all four provinces, as well as representatives from Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, will serve as members of the task force. Private sector representatives have also been included to ensure industry participation and practical policy recommendations.
The government said the task force would review international best practices in waste-to-energy generation and identify key legal, regulatory, financial, and operational barriers hindering the sector’s development in Pakistan.
Its terms of reference include proposing legislative and regulatory reforms to support waste-to-energy projects, improving coordination among stakeholders, and recommending measures for the effective implementation of waste-to-energy initiatives nationwide.
The initiative is being viewed as an important step toward addressing Pakistan’s growing waste management challenges while simultaneously promoting renewable energy and environmental sustainability.
Story by Syed Irfan Raza
