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Pakistan Seeks U.S. Backing for Power Reforms and Investment After Leghari–Baker Meeting

Islamabad is courting U.S. support to accelerate power‑sector restructuring.

Overview

  • On December 8 in Islamabad, Power Minister Awais Ahmed Leghari briefed Acting U.S. Ambassador Natalie Baker on reforms and investment opportunities in Pakistan’s electricity sector.
  • Leghari asked for U.S. help to engage the IMF and World Bank to remove obstacles to structural changes and improve sector performance.
  • He highlighted the new Surplus Power Package and sought support to extend it to greenfield industries to boost investment and industrial growth.
  • Both sides discussed U.S. private investment in power transmission and the potential acquisition of distribution companies offered for privatization, with Baker expressing keen interest.
  • Baker welcomed efforts to cut technical and commercial losses and manage circular debt through data‑driven measures; separately, Leghari met GE Vernova’s hydropower chief on clean‑energy and storage collaboration.