Pakistan’s power minister explores energy cooperation with China, Iran at BRI conference

Pakistan’s Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari meets Yao Huan, Vice President of Power China, on the sidelines of the Third Belt & Road Energy Ministerial Conference in Qingdao, China on October 24, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Government of Pakistan)

• Awais Leghari meets Iran’s power minister, senior officials of Power China and China Energy at sidelines of conference
• Leghari discusses cross-border collaboration with Iranian counterpart, improving dispatch and power transmission system

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Power Minister Sardar Awais Leghari on Thursday met his counterpart from Iran and Chinese energy officials to discuss cross-border collaboration and energy cooperation, the Power Division said in a statement. 
Pakistan has suffered from a prolonged energy crisis that stems largely from a gap in the energy the country’s energy supplies and electricity demand. 
Cash-strapped Pakistan lacks adequate resources to run its oil- and gas-powered plants and imports most of its energy needs. The country’s energy crisis has taken a toll on its economy as it struggles with a chronic balance of payments crisis, inflation and currency devaluation.
Leghari met his Iranian counterpart Abbas Ali Abadi on the sidelines of the Third Belt & Road Ministerial Conference held in Qingdao, China. 
“Minister Awais Leghari underscored the importance of cross-border energy projects in boosting connectivity and trade,” the Power Division said. “Both sides discussed future collaboration, particularly focusing on the development of electricity projects in Gwadar, Balochistan.”
Both stressed the importance of strengthening energy cooperation in power plant operations and maintenance, the statement said, adding that they emphasized the need for regular coordination and communication.
Separately, Leghari held separate meetings with Yao Huan, vice president of Power China and Ni Zhen, the general manager of Energy China, in Qingdao. 
“Recalling historic visit of Premier Li Qiang to Pakistan, Minister for Power conveyed Pakistan’s desire to modernize power dispatch and transmission systems, aimed at cutting lines and other losses,” the Power Division said. 
In the meeting with Huan, both sides discussed establishing a state-of-the-art research and development center in Pakistan to facilitate the integration of advanced technologies and best practices into the country’s energy framework.
With Zhen, both representatives discussed enhancing the energy mix and advancing new technologies into power generation and dispatch systems, the Power Division said.