PBF & Renewables Leads to Charge towards a Modest Electricity Market in Pakistan.

Pakistan Takes Bold Step Towards Competitive Electricity Market

In a breakthrough step for Pakistan’s energy future, the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) and Renewables First (RF), with the vital support of the Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB), hosted the Multi Stakeholder Conference on Competitive Electricity Market in Pakistan. The event marked a decisive move away from the outdated single-buyer electricity model towards a transparent, competitive, and multi-stakeholder market where electricity can be directly traded between producers and consumers. Read more on transparent electricity market.

Tariq Masaud Alyani – Karachi, August 12, 2025

Conference Overview

The conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and energy experts united by a shared vision: affordable, clean, and reliable electricity to power Pakistan’s growth.

Visionary Beginning

The conference opened with keynote addresses from Chief Organizer Mr. Ahmad Jawad (PBF), Mr. Zeeshan Ashfaq (CEO, Renewables First), and ex-NEPRA Chairman Mr. Tauseef H Farooqi. They emphasized the urgent need to operationalize the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contracts Market (CTBCM), a reform program approved decades ago but yet to be fully implemented.

Mr. Salman Amin from the Competition Commission of Pakistan stressed that Pakistan’s anticompetitive power sector structure is a major hurdle to efficiency and growth. Abdul Rehman from Renewables First detailed the phased rollout of the competitive market, starting with 800MW and scaling over time.

Experts Dialogues

Panel 1: Opening the Market for Fair Cooperation

This panel highlighted pressing power sector issues. Participants included Mr. Tahir Basharat Cheema, Mr. Amjad Ali Raja (CEO, Thar Energy Ltd HUBCO), and an ISMO representative. Discussions concluded that poor institutional decisions have crippled the power sector and that transparency is essential. Examples ranged from unsuccessful government solar auctions to KE’s successful renewable bids, demonstrating the critical role of private sector participation. Learn more about single-buyer model issues.

Panel 2: Manufacturing’s Call for Reform

Panelists included Mr. Junaid Naqi (KATI), Mr. Mujtaba Khan (CEO, Reon), Mr. Rehan Javed (FPCCI), and Saleha Hassan (PBF). They warned that without reforms, Pakistan’s grid risks collapse, citing incompetence in distribution companies and emphasizing stakeholder consultation at every stage.

Energy specialist Ramsha Panhwar from Renewables First highlighted the importance of clean and affordable power for industries, calling attention to the burden of stranded costs on consumers. She advised a transparent and phased recovery mechanism to make open access financially viable.

Industrialists and researchers collectively called for a long-term, reliable government plan for CTBCM, an expanded market size beyond 800MW, and fair wheeling charges to encourage industrial participation. Mujtaba Haider summarized: “The appetite is much larger; give us fairness, and industry will invest.”

Organizers Deserve Applause

This conference was more than an event; it was a call to action. PBF and Renewables First once again demonstrated their ability to bring together the right voices at the right time to address Pakistan’s most pressing energy challenges. From topic selection to panel moderation and overall event management, every aspect was executed with precision.

In Conclusion

The Karachi conference may well be remembered as the moment Pakistan took a decisive step toward a transparent and competitive electricity market, with PBF, Renewables First, and PPIB leading the charge. Learn more about competitive electricity reforms.

Article / Report originally published at: Reeldts.com