Pakistan to become 90pc clean energy country in terms of power generation by 2034, NA told

Islamabad: Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has said Pakistan will become a ninety percent clean energy country in terms of power generation by 2034.

Responding to a Calling Attention Notice moved by Sharmila Faruqui in the National Assembly today, he stated that fifty-five percent of the electricity generated in 2024-25 came from clean energy sources.

He further said under international commitments, Pakistan is required to increase its clean energy share to sixty percent by 2030, expressing confidence that this target will be achieved this year.

As regards Prosumer Regulations replacing net metering with net billing, the Minister for Power stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stopped its implementation after concerns expressed by different quarters.  He said on the direction of the Prime Minister, a review petition will be filed with the regulator.

He, however, rejected the impression that these regulations will impact the common man and increase their expenses. He clarified that only eight to ten percent of the total installed solar energy capacity is linked to the net metering system, emphasizing that reducing their profit margin from fifty percent to thirty-seven percent is not an anti-people measure.

The Minister for Power highlighted the steps taken to improve the power sector. He said circular debt has been reduced by seven hundred eighty billion rupees. He noted that the government's efforts have led to a reduction of one hundred ninety billion rupees in losses due to power pilferage.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly was informed that the process of installing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters across the country will be completed by the end of this year.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Power Division Aamir Talal Khan told the House during Question Hour that load-shedding is carried out on feeders with high losses. He said the installation of Aerial Bundled Cables (ABC) and AMI meters will help address the issue of losses.

The parliamentary secretary said a campaign is underway against individuals involved in power pilferage.

Responding to another Calling Attention Notice, Minister of State for National Health Services Mukhtar Ahmad Malik expressed Pakistan’s firm commitment to eradicate polio virus with the support of people.

He clarified that eradication means not only reducing cases to zero, but also ensuring all environmental sewage samples test negative.

He mentioned that Punjab, Peshawar and Hazara have recently reported negative environmental samples. He noted that vaccine efficacy and cold chain systems have been independently validated and polio workers are trained to ensure vaccine quality.

Responding to a Point of Order, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar expressed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to Palestine cause. He said Pakistan will continue to fulfill its responsibilities on the diplomatic front in support of the Palestinian people.

Parliamentary Secretary for Communications Gul Asghar told the house that maximum funds have been allocated in the current budget for the construction of road infrastructure in Balochistan.

The House has now been prorogued.