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ISLAMABAD, Apr 09 (APP):The Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives, in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), organized a one-day seminar titled “Greening the Macro-Fiscal Economic Regime for Low Carbon Development” here on Wednesday.
The seminar brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from the public and private sectors to discuss strategies for aligning Pakistan’s economic policies with its climate and energy transition goals, a news release said.
The event was attended by prominent figures including Wolfgang Hesse, Coordinator for Energy, Climate Change, and Just Transition at GIZ Pakistan; Nadia Rehman, Member Food Security and Climate Change, Planning Commission; Gul Hassan Bhutto, Director General and Advisor CTBCM, NEPRA; Omer Malik, CEO of Shams Power (via video link); Omer Haroon Malik, Head of Strategy and Power Market Development, CPPA-G; Shah Jahan Mirza, Managing Director, Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB); and Muhammad Zakria, Chief Engineer Operational Planning, NPCC.
The session was chaired by Mahfooz Ahmed Bhatti, Additional Secretary-II, Ministry of Energy (Power Division), and attended among others by representatives from various relevant organizations.
In his welcome remarks, Wolfgang Hesse emphasized the strong partnership between Pakistan and German Development Cooperation through GIZ.
He underscored that Pakistan’s macroeconomic challenges—circular debt, fossil fuel dependency, and constrained fiscal space—are intricately linked with climate issues.
As the country negotiates policy-based loans, he noted, there is a unique opportunity to align fiscal reforms with climate action and energy transition objectives. Highlighting the Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Partnership, Hesse reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s national vision, as outlined in URAAN Pakistan and other key policy frameworks.
He stressed the need for developing carbon pricing mechanisms, steering financial systems toward sustainable investments, and operationalizing the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contracts Market to encourage renewable energy and market transparency.
Delivering the keynote address, Nadia Rehman highlighted the URAAN Pakistan 5Es framework, a flagship initiative of the National Economic Transformation Plan.
She said URAAN Pakistan provides a comprehensive roadmap for integrating green growth into Pakistan’s industrial and economic systems.
The initiative promotes green industrialization, supports sustainable infrastructure development, and advances clean energy solutions—critical steps in Pakistan’s journey toward a low-carbon economy.
Hassan Shafqaat, CEO of the Pakistan Textile Council, emphasized the need to align local industry practices with international environmental and energy standards, especially those required by the EU and US markets.
He called on the government to provide targeted incentives and financial support to help small and medium-sized enterprises modernize their equipment and ensure compliance with global standards.
Speaking via video link, Omer Malik, CEO of Shams Power, highlighted the role of the transmission network as the core marketplace of the energy sector.
He stressed the need for sustained technical assistance to enhance operational efficiency and resilience, alongside demand-side management initiatives to optimize energy consumption and maintain system stability.
Shah Jahan Mirza, Managing Director of PPIB, reiterated that the development of renewable energy remains a top national priority.
He called for coordinated, cross-sectoral policy implementation to unlock synergies between energy planning and sustainable development.
The seminar concluded with a shared resolve among stakeholders to continue collaborative efforts that integrate climate resilience into economic policy, promote sustainable industrial practices, and support Pakistan’s green transition.