PM Shehbaz approves task force to formulate national waste-to-energy policy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the formation of a high-level task force to formulate a national policy for waste-to-energy projects aimed at promoting alternative energy generation and improving waste management in Pakistan.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday, the task force will review the existing framework for waste-to-energy initiatives and prepare a comprehensive national policy with a clear strategy, institutional mechanism and implementation roadmap.

The government said the policy would focus on encouraging private sector participation and facilitating investment in waste-to-energy projects across the country.

Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Leghari will serve as the convener of the task force.

The body will also include Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, federal secretaries for climate change and inter-provincial coordination, as well as secretaries of local government, climate change and energy departments from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Representatives from the private sector have also been included as members of the task force.

The PM Office said the task force would examine international best practices related to waste-to-energy generation and identify legal, regulatory, financial and operational barriers hindering the sector’s growth in Pakistan.

The terms of reference of the task force also include proposing legislation and regulatory reforms to support the development of waste-to-energy projects.

In addition, the body will recommend measures to improve coordination among stakeholders and facilitate implementation of waste-to-energy initiatives in the country.