Latest news with #CASA-1000
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Pakistan's potential path to becoming an energy transit state
Tribune News Network Doha At the crossroads of strategic ambition and regional complexity lies Pakistan's untapped potential to emerge as a critical energy transit state—linking the hydrocarbon-rich Gulf and Central Asian states with the energy-hungry economies of South and East Asia. In its latest Energy Research Paper, the Al-Attiyah Foundation delves into Pakistan's efforts to harness its geographical advantage, analysing over US$ 35 billion in energy investments from China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, as well as major transnational projects like the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline (TAPI), Central Asia–South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The analysis reveals a complex web of opportunity and vulnerability. CPEC, a project that involves upgrading roads, railways, and energy infrastructure to facilitate trade and transportation between the Pakistan and China, has delivered over 13 GW of power capacity through coal, hydro, solar, and wind projects. However, it has also contributed to Pakistan's US$ 1.4 billion in unpaid energy debts and drawn security risks—including militant attacks on Chinese workers between 2021 and 2024. Qatar's US$ 15 billion LNG agreement addressed Pakistan's gas deficit but has become a financial strain amid declining domestic energy demand and currency depreciation. Meanwhile, instability in Afghanistan threatens to derail the US$ 7.7 billion TAPI pipeline and the US$ 1.16 billion CASA-1000 transmission line, both of which are critical to Pakistan's regional integration and energy diversification. Despite these challenges, serious momentum is building. Pakistan's domestic energy system remains under strain, with over 60% of demand met by imported fossil fuels and widespread transmission losses weakening grid reliability. Yet a shift is underway. Solar and wind energy now account for 10% of installed capacity, and the government has pledged to reach 60% clean energy by 2030, including targets to electrify 30% of road transport. Meeting this goal will require 22 GW of new renewable capacity, competitive procurement, and grid modernisation. However, persistent fiscal stress, climate vulnerability, and geopolitical friction continue to test Pakistan's credibility as a stable energy partner in the region.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
ECO's way forward
Listen to article Attaining proactivity in regional cooperation is becoming a sine qua non as distractions continue to haunt geopolitics. The 17th ECO Summit in Azerbaijan's city of Khankendi took a leap forward as it called for buoying understanding among the member states to overcome bilateral frictions and ensure that geo-economics takes roots. Pakistan flagged the Iran-Israel war, the adamant attitude of India, especially the IWT's unilateral suspension, and the backlash of terrorism from Afghanistan as obstacles hampering regional serenity and development. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored that the 10-nation Eurasian bloc offers the 'best hope' for a unified response, and there should not be any looking back. Pakistan also underlined the necessity of quality development in relevance with climate change considerations. It also proposed developing low-emission corridors, ECO-wide carbon market platforms and a regional disaster resistance system. It's high time the cobweb of railways, roads and waterways, which have successfully been laid down across the region, came to benefit the common man in terms of employment, cheap products and a semblance of growth. So is the case with energy channels that are still in limbo, like the IP gas pipeline, TAPI, CASA-1000 and the trans-Afghan railway connectivity. The point that some of the states are mulling a 'military alliance' in the region has been promptly negated by Pakistan, as it hopes India will give up its confrontational policy and make SAARC a viable entity. Peace between Pakistan and India is indispensable if regional cooperation is to materialise. The potential could be gauged from the fact that according to SBP, imports from India totalled $211.5 million in the first 11 months of FY25; and in May alone when the conflict broke out, imports stood at $15 million. The India-based Global Trade Research Initiative has also reported recently that India's unofficial exports to Pakistan are estimated at $10 billion annually, routed primarily through Dubai, Colombo and Singapore. The need is to get it straight for the collective good of the region.
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
SCO cooperation in energy sought
The minister invited international partners to invest in the nationwide rollout of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), estimating a $3 billion need to serve over 30 million consumers. PHOTO: File Listen to article Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Thursday virtually addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Energy Ministers Conference, where he outlined Pakistan's vision for a clean, secure, and collaborative energy future. Speaking under the theme "Integrate Innovation for Energy Future," Leghari stressed the urgent need for regional cooperation, technological advancement, and policy reforms to confront global energy challenges. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), the minister highlighted Pakistan's ongoing energy sector transformation, underscoring the shift from short-term fixes to long-term structural reforms in the energy sector. He pointed to the establishment of several new institutions — such as the Power Planning & Monitoring Company (PPMC), Energy Infrastructure Development and Management Company (EIDMC), National Grid Company (NGC), and Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) — as a foundation for improved governance, modernisation of the grid, and promoting transparent market operations. Leghari reaffirmed Pakistan's clean energy targets, reiterating the government's commitment to reaching 60% renewable energy and 30% electric vehicle penetration by 2030. He outlined initiatives such as the deployment of smart meters, enhancement of operational efficiency through data-driven systems, and the launch of a dedicated Research & Development (R&D) Secretariat to encourage local innovation and technology transfer. Underscoring Pakistan's geographical position as a regional energy bridge between Central Asia, South Asia, and the Gulf, Leghari called for greater cross-border electricity trade, investment in shared infrastructure, and the creation of joint security frameworks for energy systems. He stressed the importance of completing the CASA-1000 project and urged Afghanistan to fully participate as both a transit and offtake country to support regional energy integration and stability. To strengthen collaboration under the SCO framework, Leghari proposed five initiatives: the creation of an SCO Secretariat for Energy Innovation and R&D Collaboration, an Energy Innovation Fellowship Programme for young researchers, joint demonstration sites in Pakistan for renewable and smart grid technologies, a web-based Energy Cooperation Dashboard for project tracking, and a Project Prioritisation Committee to focus on high-impact initiatives. Looking ahead, the minister announced Pakistan's upcoming energy infrastructure investment plan, which will offer international partners bankable opportunities, supported by promising a transparent and investor-friendly environment. He invited international partners to invest in the nationwide rollout of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), estimating a $3 billion need to serve over 30 million consumers. "Pakistan is not only seeking investment," Leghari said, "we are offering long-term partnerships built on trust, innovation, and mutual benefit. We are ready to work with all SCO member states to turn our shared energy goals into practical solutions that benefit our people and our region."
Business Recorder
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Trade, energy, defence and regional connectivity: Pakistan, Tajikistan review cooperation
DUSHANBE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon Thursday reviewed bilateral cooperation in different areas, including political, trade, economy, energy, defence, security, and regional connectivity. During the bilateral meeting, they agreed to actively pursue new avenues for cooperation, with a focus on fostering investment opportunities, enhancing educational linkages, prompting cultural exchanges, advancing information technology collaboration and strengthening people-to-people contacts. Earlier upon arrival at Qasr-e-Millat, the President welcomed the Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation. At the invitation of Government of Tajikistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived here to participate in the International High-Level Conference on Glaciers' Preservation (ICGP) being held on 29-31 May, 2025. PM Shehbaz to visit Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan from May 25 to 30 He was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and senior officials. Upon arrival at Dushanbe, he was received by the Prime Minister of Tajikistan Qohir Rasulzoda. During the meeting, the Prime Minister and the Tajik President held in-depth and wide-ranging discussions covering various aspects of bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. During the discussions, they fondly recalled the signing of historic Strategic Partnership Agreement during the Prime Minister's visit to Dushanbe in July 2024, which laid a strong foundation for strengthening bilateral relations and advancing shared interests. Reaffirming the fraternal ties existing between the two countries marked by shared history, culture and geography, the leaders expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation and resolved to elevate the strategic cooperation to a new level, for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples. On CASA-1000, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to positioning it as a pivotal project for regional integration. Welcoming the holding of CASA-1000 Inter-Governmental Council in Dushanbe on 15 May 2025, the Prime Minister assured the shared commitment to its early operationalisation. Regarding economic cooperation, the two leaders, acknowledging the untapped potential in bilateral trade, underscored the importance of actively pursuing new avenues of cooperation in line with the decisions taken during the 7th Session of Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific Technical Cooperation, held in Islamabad in December 2024. They also agreed to effectively leverage the existing institutional frameworks including twelve Joint Working Groups (JWGs), to further enhance collaboration between the two countries, especially in oil & gas and energy sectors. They took good note of growing bilateral cooperation in the field of defence & security and reiterated their resolve to further boost the same in order to overcome the common security challenges faced by the two countries. They emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, combating cross-border organized crime and human and drug trafficking. The leaders also exchanged perspectives on regional and global geopolitical developments. They emphasized the importance of working together to promote peace, stability, and economic development in the region. On peaceful resolution of Tajik-Kyrgyz border dispute, the Prime Minister felicitated the President on this milestone and appreciated the President's prudence and wisdom in resolving the issue through peaceful means. The Prime Minister hoped that this historical development would usher in a new era of cooperation and progress in the region. The two leaders expressed satisfaction on cooperation at the multilateral fora, including at the UN, OIC, SCO and ECO and reaffirmed their resolve to continue collaboration on global and regional issues of common interest. The Prime Minister, reaffirming Pakistan's historical and cordial ties with Tajikistan, underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to ongoing structured and multifaceted engagement with Tajikistan, for mutual gains. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's commitment to strengthening connectivity linkages with the Central Asian region. Towards that end, he highlighted China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a linchpin of Pakistan's connectivity with the region. The Prime Minister also briefed the President on the latest situation in the South Asian region. The Prime Minister underscored that our region could not afford India's irresponsible and unlawful actions since 7 May 2025, which amounted to acts of war and violation of the UN Charter and international law. The Prime Minister urged the international community to hold India accountable, reiterating that Pakistan desires peace, but will defend its sovereignty with full resolve if challenged. He also underscored that the resolution of Jammu & Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions, remains fundamental to securing lasting peace in the region. In response, President Emomali said that as a staunch friend of Pakistan, he too was very worried at the events of early May, adding that he would always promote peace and stability in the region. He added that he was deeply impressed by the Prime Minister's remarkable leadership that was critical to the restoration of peace and security in the region.
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt prioritises CASA energy project completion
Listen to article Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to regional energy cooperation during a virtual address at the CASA-1000 Inter-governmental Council meeting held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Speaking to an audience comprising energy ministers and officials from Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan, representatives from international organisations and technical experts, Leghari underscored the strategic importance of the CASA-1000 power transmission project. He emphasised its role in fostering sustainable energy trade, enhancing regional connectivity and ensuring energy security across Central and South Asia, while highlighting Pakistan's active involvement in its implementation. He remarked that CASA-1000 was not merely an energy transmission project; it was also a transformative initiative that would spark economic development, regional harmony and mutual trust across the region. He stressed that timely completion of the project was a top priority for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. "The project is critical not only for energy transmission but also for strengthening regional ties." The federal minister affirmed Pakistan's readiness to supply surplus electricity to partner countries during the winter season and proposed reverse energy flow within the CASA network. He said that Pakistan's surplus electricity could play a vital role in fulfilling energy needs of Central Asian countries, adding that the network must be used effectively and transparently to ensure equal benefits for all partner nations. He assured meeting participants that despite some delay, Pakistan had taken all necessary measures to safeguard the project's assets. Winding up his speech, Leghari reiterated that CASA-1000 was a key energy project that would lay the foundation for regional prosperity, stability and collaboration. "The successful completion of this initiative will demonstrate our shared commitment and guarantee a brighter future for the entire region."
