“Power supply is a hyper-regulated area and needs urgent reform,” said former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail at the conference Powering Progress: Affordable Energy for Industry & Inclusive Growth, held on Sunday. He emphasised that privatisation alone is not enough and that the energy sector requires pro-people regulation and improved governance at both national and local levels.

The conference brought together leading voices from industry, energy utilities, policy institutions, and media to chart a path toward affordable, reliable power and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan. Organised by Naya Daur Media as a platform for constructive dialogue, the day-long event featured two interactive sessions:

1) Urban Power Supply – Access, Affordability & Accountability

2) Industrial Energy Needs – Unlocking Low-Cost Power for Growth

Miftah Ismail was critical of Karachi Electric (KE) and its performance, noting that despite being privatised, KE has failed to meet the city’s needs. However, he pointed out that other energy companies across the country are “even more inefficient,” undermining both economic growth and citizen welfare.

Urban Power and Citizen Concerns

The first session examined Karachi’s power supply challenges,........

© Naya Daur