ISLAMABAD: During the Youth Convention in Islamabad, Federal Energy Minister Awais Ahmad Leghari candidly addressed the pressing issue of high electricity production costs in Pakistan.

He acknowledged that the country's electricity generation is among the most expensive in the region, a concern that has been exacerbated by inefficiencies and rising costs. Leghari emphasized the urgent need to generate 29,000 megawatts of electricity to meet the growing demand and stabilize the energy sector. He outlined ongoing efforts to reform the energy sector, which include improving infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiencies, and negotiating better terms with independent power producers (IPPs). The minister also discussed the significant impact of load shedding, noting that even a two-hour reduction in outages could yield considerable benefits for both consumers and the economy. He expressed a firm resolve to address the challenges associated with costly electricity generation and mentioned that international assistance from China is playing a crucial role in these efforts. In addition, Leghari revealed the formation of a dedicated task force to tackle issues with IPPs and inefficient gas usage. He hinted at the introduction of a comprehensive package aimed at resolving these concerns and improving overall efficiency in the sector.