KARACHI: Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh has said Sindh’s extensive conventional and renewable energy resources could become a key driver of Pakistan’s economic recovery, industrial expansion and foreign direct investment, stressing that affordable and uninterrupted energy supply was essential for sustainable export-led growth.
Addressing the inaugural session of the 2nd Sindh Energy Diversity Conference-2026, the minister said the availability of reliable and competitively priced energy remained one of the biggest challenges facing Pakistan’s industrial sector.
He said resolving energy constraints would improve industrial productivity, enhance the global competitiveness of Pakistani products, increase exports and help reduce the country’s trade deficit.
“I am basically an industrialist and fully understand that affordable and uninterrupted energy availability can significantly enhance the competitiveness of industries, enabling them to market and export their products more effectively in international markets,” he said.
Sheikh said Sindh’s substantial reserves of conventional and renewable energy had the potential to play a transformative role in addressing Pakistan’s energy challenges and strengthening the national economy.
He appreciated the Sindh government’s Energy Department for its efforts to utilise the province’s indigenous energy resources, particularly through the successful implementation of the public-private partnership (PPP) model for the development and utilisation of Thar coal.
The minister said reliable energy supplies will also accelerate the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), encouraging domestic and foreign investors to establish industries and create employment opportunities.
Highlighting global energy trends, he said industries worldwide were making significant investments in battery energy storage systems and electric vehicle manufacturing, underscoring the importance of a modern and diversified energy sector.
Sheikh assured investors that the Board of Investment (BoI) would provide full facilitation to local and international investors interested in Pakistan’s energy sector, helping the country achieve greater energy security and self-reliance.
Sindh Energy Secretary Shahab Qamar Ansari said that despite the province’s considerable clean energy potential, limited electricity demand had slowed the launch of new renewable energy projects.
He reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to developing indigenous energy resources to strengthen Pakistan’s energy independence.Ansari described the extraction of Thar coal under the PPP framework and the establishment of mine-mouth power plants as major achievements of the provincial government.
He said the Sindh government is supporting the expansion of Thar coal mines and the development of a dedicated railway network to facilitate the efficient transportation of indigenous coal to power plants across the country.
He added that the provincial government is also encouraging private-sector investment in solar energy projects and the Gharo-Jhimpir wind corridor, which is currently generating around 1,875 megawatts of clean electricity.
Ansari said Sindh’s long-term energy strategy focused on maximising the use of indigenous resources to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imported fuels for power generation and gas requirements.
He further said the Sindh government was participating in joint ventures for oil and gas exploration and production, while continuing to support clean energy initiatives aimed at helping Pakistan meet its international environmental and climate commitments.
Chief Executive Officer of Inverex Solar Energy Zakir Ali called on the federal and provincial governments to introduce affordable financing schemes to enable low- and middle-income households to install rooftop solar systems.
Special Secretary Sindh Energy Department Aslam Soomro outlined the provincial government’s ongoing initiatives to expand clean electricity generation and support economic growth and environmental sustainability.
