ISLAMABAD, FEB 25 /DNA/: The first 200 megawatts (MW) electricity transaction under the newly launched Competitive Market Operations Date (CMOD) regime is expected to be completed by June this year, said Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Tuesday.
Speaking at the declaring ceremony of the CMOD, the minister said the transaction will mark a significant milestone in Pakistan’s transition towards a competitive power market. The minister said the reform journey, originally envisioned decades ago and initiated in 2016-17 in its practical form, had finally entered the implementation phase after years of deliberations and institutional groundwork.
The symbolic activation of CMOD was jointly performed by Mr Leghari and Secretary Power Division Dr Muhammad Fakhre Alam Irfan.
Reflecting on the delay in implementation despite conceptual approval of competitive market reforms in the early 1990s, the minister termed it a governance lag that cost the country valuable time.
Power minister sees milestone in Pakistan’s transition to competitive market
“When you conceptualise something and approve it in 1992 but only begin serious implementation nearly two decades later, it reflects the challenges in our governance framework,” he observed.
The minister emphasised that reform was a collaborative institutional effort and appreciated the role of senior officials and other stakeholders for their intellectual input and implementation support.
“I think entire team has done an amazing amount of work in the past few years,” he said, acknowledging the contributions of the Power Division, regulators, and market institutions.
“This is not just a formality. It shows that not only political leadership but officers at the helm of affairs truly matter.
The intellectual input we receive as policymakers and the way we jointly work toward implementation is critical for the betterment of the people,” Mr Leghari said, expressing gratitude to the prime minister for his ownership and trust, stating that without his continued support, the reform process could not have reached the implementation stage.
Highlighting ongoing challenges, the minister noted that certain procedural and regulatory matters, including determination of wheeling charges, were still under process. He said a summary had been moved for the premier’s consideration and expressed optimism that following April, auction-related transactions would proceed smoothly.
“We are expecting that by June this year, the first 200MW transaction will be completed. It has taken 20-25 years of discussions and efforts. Achieving this will be a major step forward,” the minister remarked.
He expressed hope that the transition from wholesale to retail electricity market would proceed at a much faster pace than past reforms.
He stressed the need to adopt global best practices rather than relying on trial-and-error learning. The minister distributed certificates among senior officials in recognition of their contributions to the reform process.
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