Shehbaz touts energy, export stability

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday sought to project policy continuity across energy, exports and institutional reform, asserting that Pakistan faces no electricity shortages despite oil supply disruptions, while directing accelerated work on key projects and expanded international cooperation.

Chairing a meeting on long-term electricity planning and export strategy, the prime minister ordered authorities to expedite the 'Battery Energy Storage System' project, describing it as central to stabilising supply as the country scales up renewable energy.

He said solar and other renewables represent the future of the power sector. Officials informed the meeting that 55% of Pakistan's electricity currently comes from renewable sources, while 45% is generated from fossil fuels. Planning, they said, is under way to raise the renewable share to 90% over the next decade, significantly reducing reliance on imported fuels.

Shehbaz maintained that despite disruptions in oil supply linked to the tense regional situation, no energy crisis had emerged due to the growing contribution of renewables. He directed the formulation of a comprehensive national strategy to further expand clean energy generation.

The meeting also reviewed export performance in the prevailing international environment. The prime minister said exports to Gulf countries were continuing despite global tensions, attributing this to effective diplomacy that ensured continuity of trade flows under challenging conditions.

He instructed the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation to arrange additional vessels to boost exports via sea routes, as officials highlighted rising demand for Pakistani agricultural products in Gulf markets. Diplomatic efforts, the meeting was told, are ongoing to further facilitate exports.

In a separate interaction, the prime minister directed authorities to accelerate implementation of projects under the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, calling young people the country's future and emphasising employment, education and technical training as top government priorities.

He said the government was working to position Pakistani youth as a competitive workforce in the global market. Chairman of the programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan briefed him on progress across various initiatives aimed at skills development and opportunity creation.

Shehbaz also underscored the importance of international cooperation, particularly with Turkiye, in strengthening judicial systems through digital technologies. Meeting a delegation led by Kadir Ozkaya, President of Turkiye's Constitutional Court, he highlighted the potential for collaboration to improve access to swift justice.