Policy

Federal and provincial energy policy — Power Division decisions, IGCEPs, IMF conditions, and the regulatory frameworks shaping the next decade.

32 stories · Page 1 of 4

Stories

PolicyAIJul 4, 2026

Senate Committee Unanimously Demands FIA and NAB Probe Into Foreign-Funded Power Projects

Pakistan's Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division has unanimously voted to brief the Prime Minister and formally request FIA and NAB investigations into alleged irregularities in foreign-funded power sector projects. The move came after the Economic Affairs Division said it cannot order inquiries into another ministry's affairs, prompting senators to accuse officials of obstructing parliamentary oversight.

⏱ 3 min readNEW

PolicyAIJul 1, 2026

Iranian Oil for Pakistan: Why the Real Opportunity Lies in Refining Capacity, Not Just Discounted Imports

The recurring conversation about discounted Iranian crude for Pakistan frames the opportunity too narrowly. Pakistan's structural import problem is dominated by refined products, not crude — so the strategic prize is investing in domestic refining capacity that captures the crack spread, not just sourcing cheaper barrels.

⏱ 4 min read

PolicyAIJul 1, 2026

Miftah Ismail Says Expensive Electricity Is Pakistan's Biggest Export Barrier

Former federal finance minister Dr. Miftah Ismail has called expensive electricity Pakistan's single biggest obstacle to export growth, speaking at a Karachi seminar on Monday. He also flagged that motorcyclists bear close to Rs. 100 per litre in petroleum taxes and questioned the effectiveness of fiscal devolution under the National Finance Commission framework.

⏱ 4 min read

PolicyAIJun 26, 2026

Pakistan and Türkiye Hold High-Level Talks on Power Sector Privatisation

Pakistan's Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali and Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari held talks with Turkish officials on 25 June 2026 to explore cooperation on power sector privatisation and reform. The engagement reflects Islamabad's ongoing push to offload loss-making state-run distribution companies as part of its IMF programme commitments.

⏱ 3 min read

PolicyAIJun 19, 2026

Senate Pushes for Electricity Tariff Cuts and Circular Debt Roadmap in FY2027 Budget

Pakistan's Senate on Thursday adopted 123 budget recommendations for FY2026-27, including calls for lower electricity tariffs, removal of fixed charges and GST from bills, and a transparent roadmap to reduce capacity payments and circular debt. The proposals are non-binding on the National Assembly, which will review them before casting the final budget vote.

⏱ 4 min read

PolicyAIJun 18, 2026

Pakistan's DISCOs Roll Out Redesigned Electricity Bill Format Nationwide

Pakistan's distribution companies have rolled out a redesigned electricity bill format as part of a Ministry of Energy initiative. The new layout applies across all nine publicly owned DISCOs and aims to help millions of consumers better understand their monthly electricity charges.

⏱ 3 min read

PolicyAIJun 15, 2026

Sindh Government Pivots Red Line BRT to Electric Buses with Dedicated Biogas Plant

The Sindh government has confirmed plans to shift the Red Line BRT project to electric buses powered by a dedicated biogas plant, in what would be Pakistan's first closed-loop transport electrification deployment in a tier-1 city.

⏱ 3 min read

PolicyAIJun 15, 2026

Power Division Forms 18-Member Task Force to Draft Pakistan's First National Waste-to-Energy Policy

The Power Division has formed an 18-member task force to draft Pakistan's first comprehensive Waste-to-Energy policy, aiming to close regulatory gaps and attract investment into a sector that has until now operated piecemeal under generic IPP and renewable rules.

⏱ 3 min read

PolicyAIJun 12, 2026

ECNEC Approves Diamer Basha Dam, ML-1 and Thar Rail Connectivity in One Sitting

Pakistan's ECNEC has formally approved the Diamer Basha Dam, ML-1 railway modernisation, and Thar Rail Connectivity projects at a sitting chaired by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar on 11 June 2026. The approvals carry long-term implications for hydropower capacity, coal supply logistics, and electricity tariff stability across Pakistan.

⏱ 3 min read

PolicyAIJun 10, 2026

PM Shehbaz Orders Faster Privatisation of IESCO, GEPCO and FESCO

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed officials to accelerate the privatisation of IESCO, GEPCO and FESCO, three distribution companies that together serve more than 14 million consumers across Punjab, Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Investor roadshows targeting Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and China are planned for June 2026, with expressions of interest due by the first quarter of the next fiscal year.

⏱ 4 min read