BMP underscores need for comprehensive energy reforms

Pakistan’s Businessmen Panel has urged broad changes to energy policy, citing annual spending of about Rs3.5 trillion on avoidable energy imports. Business Recorder reported that BMP Chairman Mian Anjum Nisar said this outflow pressures foreign exchange reserves and raises power costs for companies and households.

Nisar pointed to weak planning, inconsistent policies and limited domestic industrial capacity, as well as a gap between installed generation and relatively flat electricity demand that adds to capacity payments. He proposed nationwide building-efficiency rules, better cooling and insulation, faster implementation of the Power Sector Indigenisation Plan, and expanded hydropower, solar and wind investment. The panel also called for stable policies, accessible financing, technology and long-term orders for local equipment makers.