PBF & Renewables Leads to Charge towards a Modest Electricity Market in Pakistan.
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 The event marked a gallant move away from the out-of-date single buyer electricity model towards a transparent, competitive, & multi stakeholder market where electricity can be directly traded between producers and consumers.
Tariq Masaud Alyani
Karachi, August 12, 2025: This conference carried organized policymakers, industry leaders, researchers & energy experts with one shared vision: affordable, clean, and reliable electricity to power Pakistan’s growth.
Visionary Beginning
The conference opened with keynote addresses from Chief Organizer PBF Mr. Ahmad Jawad, CEO Renewables First Mr. Zeeshan Ashfaq, & 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 one of the major hurdles to competence and growth. Abdul Rehman from Renewables First detailed the phased rollout of competitive market, starting with 800MW and increasing over time.
Experts Dialogues
Panel 1:
The first panel highlighted power sector Issues. Mr. Tahir Basharat Cheema, Mr. Amjad Ali Raja (CEO Thar Energy Ltd HUBCO) and an ISMO representative. The discussion made it clear: poor institutional decisions have crippled the power sector, and transparency is the only way forward. From unsuccessful government solar auctions to KE’s successful renewable bids, the message was loud and clear, private sector participation must be fortified.
Panel 2:
Panel included Mr. Junaid Naqi (KATI), Mr. Mujtaba Khan (CEO Reon), Mr. Rehan Javed (FPCCI), and Saleha Hassan (PBF). Speakers warned without reforms, Pakistan’s grid is on a path to collapse. They highlighted the incompetence of distribution companies and the need for stakeholder consultation on every stage.
Energy specialist Ramsha Panhwar from Renewables First highlighted the importance of clean and cheap power for industries and called out burden of stranded costs on consumers. She advised for a transparent and phased recovery mechanism to make open access affordable.
Unified Demand for Change
Industrialists and researchers demanded long term, reliable government plan for CTBCM, larger market size beyond 800MW, and fair wheeling charges to attract industry contribution. Mujtaba Haider summed up: “The appetite is much larger, give us fairness, and industry will invest.”
Organizers Deserve Applause
This wasn’t just a conference; it was a call to action. The perfect implementation of this conference reflects the pledge and vision of its organizers. PBF and Renewables First have once again demonstrated their ability to bring together the right voices at the right time to address Pakistan’s most insistent energy issues. From topic selection to guest and from panel moderation to the sheer professionalism in event management, every part was handled with precision.
In the end
The Karachi conference may well be reminisced as the moment Pakistan took a final step towards a transparent and competitive electricity market. With PBF, Renewables First, and PPIB leading the charge.
What's Your Reaction?
