ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has proposed the creation of a regional ‘CASA Energy Market’ linking Central Asia and South Asia on the model of the European Energy Grid, a move aimed at unlocking shared renewable and conventional power potential and transforming cross-border electricity trade.
Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari presented the proposal on Thursday during talks with Kyrgyzstan’s Minister for Energy Ibrarv Taalaibek Omukeevich, as both sides sought to accelerate regional energy integration through the CASA-1000 project.
Leghari said a more practical and market-oriented approach was needed to make CASA-1000 commercially viable, keeping in view the seasonal availability of low-cost electricity in both regions. He urged all participating countries to finalise outstanding technical and commercial details through collective decisionmaking.
Referring to Pakistan’s leadership’s emphasis on regional connectivity, Leghari said Afghanistan’s stability was directly linked to economic integration and rational energy links. He told his Kyrgyz counterpart that Pakistan’s segment of the CASA-1000 transmission line was on track for completion by mid-2026, adding that both countries should explore additional options to improve the project’s financial returns.
The power minister also proposed including Pakistan’s northern areas in feasibility studies for a future Kyrgyzstan-China power transmission project to expand regional grid connectivity. Outlining a five-point framework for future cooperation, Leghari proposed forming a joint working group on hydropower projects, accelerating joint efforts on CASA-1000, exchanging lists of specialized technical fields to facilitate Pakistani workforce participation, including northern Pakistan in China-Kyrgyz grid studies and establishing dedicated technical groups for sustained collaboration.
He further stressed the importance of Kyrgyzstan’s support in engaging Afghanistan to reduce regional volatility and strengthen cross-border connectivity. Both sides agreed to intensify high-level engagement to jointly address implementation challenges in CASA-1000 and related projects. They also decided to hold an expert-level meeting in Bishkek with participation from Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and the World Bank to frame a unified strategy. The Kyrgyz energy minister welcomed the proposals and said his country was ready to extend full cooperation to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen regional energy integration.
