Pakistan’s IMF cheap electricity Pakistan proposal remains under discussion after Federal Energy Minister Owais Leghari said the International Monetary Fund has not yet allowed the government to provide electricity at lower rates during specific hours. Speaking at the Battery Storage Flexibility 2026 conference in Islamabad, he said negotiations with the IMF have been ongoing for several months.
The minister explained that offering lower electricity tariffs during selected hours could increase electricity consumption and improve the use of available power. He noted that the government believes such a policy would benefit consumers while making better use of the country’s electricity infrastructure.
Owais Leghari said similar initiatives have delivered positive results in other countries. He referred to an Australian company that significantly increased electricity sales after introducing time-based pricing. According to the minister, Pakistan will continue discussions with the IMF to gain approval for a similar facility.
Highlighting ongoing reforms, Leghari said Pakistan is implementing major changes in the energy sector. He added that all relevant facts and policy details will be presented to the IMF to support the proposal. He also announced that Pakistan’s first comprehensive national energy plan is expected to be released by April next year.
The minister said battery energy storage will play a major role in the country’s future electricity system. He explained that consumers will increasingly be able to store electricity generated from solar panels during the day and use it at night, helping improve energy efficiency and grid stability.
According to Leghari, clean energy now accounts for around 55 percent of Pakistan’s electricity generation. The government aims to increase that share to 90 percent by 2035. He emphasized that achieving this target will require not only solar and wind power but also large-scale battery storage systems.
The government is also focusing on developing a local battery manufacturing industry instead of relying on imports. Leghari said support will be provided for local engineering, system integration, and battery management software. The IMF cheap electricity Pakistan proposal and the expansion of battery storage remain key parts of the country’s long-term energy strategy.
