The Knowledge Forum (TKF) and NED University of Engineering and Technology in Karachi jointly organised the Sindh Energy Dialogue at Hotel Marriott on November 28, 2024. The dialogue brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, public representatives, academics, civil society activists, and energy experts, to critically examine Sindh’s energy policies through the lens of climate change and energy justice.
Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, speaking at the event, emphasised the government’s focus on renewable energy development to meet the growing electricity needs of the province.
He highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the establishment of solar parks and the provision of home solar systems to populations underserved by the national grid.
Shah also defended the province’s coal development plans, linking them to the broader challenge of rising energy costs.
He emphasised the importance of civil society and experts collaborating with the government to develop policies that reflect the interests of local communities and provide affordable power to all citizens.
Mahfooz Qazi, Director of Alternate Energy, outlined the progress made in transitioning public sector buildings to solar energy, noting that schools and hospitals would be part of the next phase. His remarks reflected the province’s gradual shift toward cleaner energy solutions.
Throughout the day-long dialogue, speakers raised critical concerns about the heavy reliance on fossil fuels within the national grid, describing it as both costly and unstable. Muhammad Badar Alam from the Policy Research Institute of Equitable Development emphasised the environmental damage caused by coal mining, highlighting the differences between local and imported coal extraction, and called for a clear, long-term plan to phase out fossil fuels.
Participants also shared research and visual documentation illustrating the impact of frequent power outages on low-income households and small businesses. Representatives from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Renewables First urged a reduction in the cost of electricity provided by K-Electric, along with accelerated investment in renewable energy to stabilise industrial output and support economic growth.
MPA Marvi Rashid pledged to raise community concerns about emissions and land use in the provincial assembly. Responding to a presentation by legal expert Abira Ashfaq on the impact of mineral mining, Rashid highlighted the urgent need for public representatives to safeguard citizens’ interests in light of increasing climate-related events such as sea intrusion, floods, and heatwaves.
The dialogue concluded with a call for greater collaboration, local expertise, and inclusive policymaking to address Sindh’s energy challenges. Facilitated by TKF Director Zeenia Shaukat, the event emphasised that climate change must be central to all future energy decisions to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for the province.
