ISMO has been established; Energy Infrastructure Development and Management Company to be activated soon
Federal Minister’s Virtual Address at Consultative Workshop on Power Sector Indigenization at LUMS
LAHORE ( WEB NEWS )
Federal Minister for Energy, Sardar Owais Ahmad Khan Leghari, stated that the government is striving to promote an export-oriented economy rather than relying on imports. He emphasized that indigenization in the power sector is the need of the hour, and the government seeks close collaboration with experts and the industry. The restructuring of the National Transmission and Dispatch Company is underway.
While virtually addressing a consultative workshop on power sector indigenization held at LUMS, the federal minister said that the establishment of ISMO (Independent System and Market Operator) has been completed, and the Energy Infrastructure Development and Management Company will be made operational soon. The government is encouraging new solar technologies, and distribution companies are advised to exercise caution with net metering.
He announced the launch of Pakistan’s first Power Equipment Manufacturing Dashboard, which will advance the local production process. This dashboard will help track local manufacturers and investment opportunities. Policymaking will now be based on data and transparency, and revolutionary improvements in grid planning are expected. “Made in Pakistan” power equipment will become a symbol of national development.
Sardar Owais Leghari stated that local production of energy sector equipment is a major milestone and an important step toward self-reliance, innovation, and sustainable development. This initiative will lead to a shift in the energy landscape, reducing dependence on imports. Pakistan holds a significant position in the journey of development in the energy sector. While generation capacity has increased, challenges in the energy sector have also grown, partly due to technological innovation.
He addressed the question, “When will the solar energy revolution come to Pakistan?” by asserting that the renewable energy revolution has already arrived. He acknowledged the burden of solar subsidies and stressed that the locally developed data dashboard now holds crucial importance for reforms and policymaking in the power sector.
The minister said a specific time framework is being established to implement various targets and decisions in the power sector, and the data dashboard is facilitating accurate and efficient decision-making. He praised the Energy Data Portal under LUMS as an important initiative that will benefit all stakeholders.
He further stated that the government is now working on a plan to provide the region’s cheapest electricity to the country’s export industry. Approximately 7,000 megawatts of power available in the country will be provided to the export industry at very low-margin rates.
The National Grid Company (NGC) is the first national institution to implement the Power Sector Indigenization Policy, and its strategic procurement model is already yielding positive results. He urged WAPDA, DISCOs, K-Electric, and both public and private power producers to also begin implementing this policy, which is part of the National Electricity Plan 2023–27.
During the workshop, Pakistan’s first Power Equipment Manufacturing Dashboard was launched. It is a real-time digital platform designed to track progress in localization, identify vendor capabilities, and highlight opportunities for strategic investment.
The LUMS Energy Institute, in collaboration with the National Grid Company (NGC), formerly NTDC, will host the National Consultative Workshop on the Power Sector Indigenization Road Map on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at LUMS, Lahore. Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division), Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, will grace the occasion as Chief Guest, while Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council, Engr. Waseem Nazir will address the gathering and highlight the role of regulatory bodies in accelerating industrial localization.
Prof. Dr. Fiaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Chairman of the Board of Directors at NGC and Senior Advisor at the LUMS Energy Institute, stated, “This workshop aims to bring together leaders from the power sector, local manufacturers, regulatory authorities, and academia to chart a unified and actionable roadmap to strengthen Pakistan’s electrical equipment manufacturing ecosystem.”
As part of this initiative, the event will feature the official launch of Pakistan’s first Power Equipment Manufacturing Dashboard—a real-time digital platform designed to track localization progress, map vendor capacity, and identify strategic investment opportunities. This tool is developed by the LUMS Energy Institute and will become a cornerstone of the Power Sector Indigenization Plan (PSIP).
The workshop features distinguished speakers and participants, including the Chairman WAPDA, Managing Director PPMC, CEO K-Electric, Chairman BoDs of DISCOs, Chairman CPPA-G, and other senior representatives from government, industry, and regulatory institutions. The forum will host expert-led discussions on the challenges and potential of localizing key electrical equipment across the generation, transmission, and distribution segments. Special sessions will evaluate the capability of local manufacturers to meet national demand, with stakeholder recommendations to be presented directly to decision-makers for actionable outcomes.
This timely initiative aligns with Pakistan’s ongoing energy reforms under the National Electricity Policy 2023–2027, which emphasizes reducing import dependency and promoting indigenous capabilities. With the collaboration of public institutions, industry, and academia, the consultative workshop is expected to contribute significantly to building a self-reliant and sustainable energy infrastructure.