The Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik and Federal Minister for Power Awais Leghari held a meeting with the South Asia Regional Vice President of World Bank Martin Raiser.
Both sides exchanged their ideas regarding reforms agenda and discussed in detail the support World Bank is providing to Pakistan in form of technical assistance.
Dr. Musadik Malik expressed his profound gratitude for World Bank’s consistent support for reforms in the energy sector. He said that technical assistance from the World Bank goes long way and help us in structuring many governance models.
“We have separated the Tariff of rich and poor,” the petroleum minister remarked.
The minister outlined the areas in gas sector where joint efforts could yield significant benefits for stakeholders across the value chain.
The petroleum minister also said that the World Bank has expertise in governance framework and Pakistan would benefit a lot from World Bank’s global experience.
The Federal Minister for Power Awais Leghari appreciated the collaboration with the World Bank aimed at bolstering efficiency and service delivery within the power sector. He stressed on the need for enhanced cooperation for privatization of DISCOs.
Awais Leghari said that a joint working group will be formed for betterment of transmission and distribution network. He touched upon the initiatives already undertaken for system efficiency including the restructuring of BoDs of DISCOs.
The South Asia Regional Vice President of World Bank Martin Raiser coined that energy is the key focus area and pillar of World Bank’s engagement with Pakistan.
Martin Raiser showed full commitment for working together and providing all support for structural reforms to shift to a low-cost energy mix. He said that the link of gas and power sector is fundamental to balance out the circular debt.
