Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given in-principle approval for the creation of a comprehensive National Energy Plan, which will be developed through consultations with relevant ministries and provincial governments. During a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy, he also sanctioned the establishment of a dedicated secretariat to oversee the plan’s development.

According to Radio Pakistan, the meeting granted in-principle approval for the framework guidelines concerning the auction of wheeling charges. The Prime Minister instructed all ministries and provincial governments to present a coordinated strategy for the proposed plan. He emphasized the importance of supplying electricity to industries at the lowest possible cost and providing facilitation for domestic consumers.

Prime Minister Sharif directed that the recommendations from the Ministries of Climate Change, Finance, Industries and Production, and Petroleum be incorporated into the National Energy Plan. He also called for the swift privatization of power distribution companies (DISCOs) to be carried out efficiently, highlighting the necessity of providing electricity to industries at competitive rates to enhance industrial production capacity.

He noted recent improvements in the electricity transmission system and the positive impact of enhanced coordination among ministries and relevant entities, which has improved facilitation for both domestic and industrial energy consumers across the nation. Initial consultations with all ministries are currently underway for the plan’s formulation.