Karachi: The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized its third Thought Leaders Forum (TLF) on Thursday.
Many significant personalities attended the event organized on November 17 including Senator Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, Minister of State Ministry of Energy Petroleum Division, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry Director GeneralISSI Organises it’s Third Thought Leaders on Thursday
The title for third TLF was “Pakistan’s Energy Vision: A Harbinger for Economic Development.”
Dr. Musadik Masood Malik said, “the government’s vision of the energy sector is to energise the whole sector. Energise the poor and create the infrastructure that allows them upward social mobility.”
Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry apprised the audience about the significance of TLF.
Dr. Malik said that the subsidies have hindered the growth of energy sector infrastructure. Productivity needs to be increased in both the public and private sectors through innovation and technology infusion. The major problems of the energy sector include availability, affordability, and fiscal sustainability. Therefore, building pipelines especially from Central Asia to Pakistan like TAPI is necessary. Also, it is important to work on indigenising gas exploration in the country to build capacity and focus on renewable sources of energy.
He further stated that Pakistan is soon aiming to announce its refining policy and is expected to attract an investment of 12 billion US dollars to setup a world-class refinery in the country.
There was a Q&A session on a wide range of topics including energy security, circular debt, and self-sustainability in the energy market.
Towards the end, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman, BOG ISSI, presented ISSI’s souvenir to the keynote speaker. The event was received well across the board.