IMF not allowing Pakistan to offer cheaper electricity during specific hours: Energy minister

Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari has said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is not allowing Pakistan to provide cheaper electricity during specific hours.

A conference on “Battery Storage Flexibility 2026” was held in Islamabad, where the Energy Minister responded to questions from experts.

Awais Leghari said negotiations with the IMF over this facility have been ongoing for the past few months. He said the initiative could help increase electricity consumption in the country, adding that a company in Australia significantly increased its electricity sales through a similar facility.

He said Pakistan would try to convince the IMF to approve the measure.

The minister said major energy reforms are underway in Pakistan and that all relevant facts would be presented before the IMF to seek its approval.

He added that Pakistan’s first comprehensive energy plan would be introduced in April next year.

Awais Leghari said people would eventually be able to store their solar energy and use it at night, adding that the availability of solar power during daytime hours has already helped improve the electricity situation to some extent.

He further said that the share of clean energy in Pakistan’s electricity generation has reached 55 percent, while the government aims to increase it to 90 percent by 2035.

The minister said achieving the 90 percent clean energy target would not be possible through solar and wind power alone without battery storage.

He added that battery storage would play a key role in turning electricity into a national asset and maintaining grid stability.

He said the government is focusing on promoting a local battery energy storage industry. Instead of relying on battery imports, Pakistan will encourage domestic manufacturing, along with local engineering, system integration, and battery management software development.