Lubna Pathan highlights Pakistan’s investment requirements in the power sector

Lahore: Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) participated in the “Pakistan Energy Forum 2015” in Islamabad.  The event was organized by Shamrock Conferences International. It was a 7th consecutive annual assembly of energy sector stakeholders particularly from the areas of oil &gas, renewable, power and investments. The theme of the conference was “streamlining energy priorities for development and economic growth”.

Ms. Lubna Pathan, Director General, PBIT, being one of the guest speakers delivered a comprehensive presentation on the topic of “When and how we are going to leverage from investment opportunities in energy sector”. She highlighted Pakistan’s investment requirements in the power sector which is estimated to be $8.8 billion, in comparison with the global investment requirements ($40 trillion) in the same sector. She explained the building blocks of power sector development, ways of channelizing investment in power sector and public/private financing mechanisms. She stressed on the need to stop inefficient power transmission and distribution as country loses 25-30% of energy because of the poor infrastructure, mismanagement and theft. She also said that lack of standardization of project agreement leads to project delay so there is a dire need to improve the logistics, infrastructure, technology and regulatory framework.

The key objectives of the event were to dialogue and provide a practical road map for Pakistan to achieve self sufficiency in the energy sector for a long term sustainable economy in order to attract foreign direct investment and international companies that can work across industries and stakeholders to overcome the looming energy crisis in the country in order  to recommend future planning in exploration & production sector that can mitigate widespread energy shortages in the country and also  determine the best available proven physical assets and renewable resources that can provide alternate options in the energy sector.