LAHORE: Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigol has welcomed the cabinet committee on energy’s approval of the high-level design of the National Integrated Energy Plan 2027-2060, terming it a positive and important step toward building a more efficient, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy system in Pakistan.
In a statement, Faheem said a long-term, integrated energy strategy was essential for strengthening Pakistan’s economic competitiveness, particularly for the industrial and export sectors, which requires reliable energy supplies at internationally competitive prices.
He stressed that the success of national integrated energy plan would ultimately depend on its effective implementation and its ability to translate into tangible benefits for businesses and consumers. “Pakistan needs an energy policy that ensures reliability, affordability and predictability. Industry cannot compete internationally when energy costs remain high or supplies are uncertain,” he added.
The LCCI president said greater utilisation of indigenous energy resources, renewable energy and emerging technologies such as energy storage could help reduce Pakistan’s dependence on expensive imported energy, ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves and improve the country’s energy security.
Faheem observed that lower and more predictable energy costs would have a direct impact on industrial production, exports, investment and employment. “Affordable energy is not merely an energy-sector issue; it is a fundamental requirement for economic growth, industrial expansion and export competitiveness,” he said.
Faheem called for meaningful consultation with the business community, particularly chambers of commerce, industrial associations and major energy-consuming sectors, during the formulation of the detailed national integrated energy plan.
He said the private sector should be given an effective role in identifying energy-sector bottlenecks and developing practical solutions as industry is among the major consumers of electricity and gas and is directly affected by energy pricing, availability and reliability.
He further emphasized the need to address structural issues in the energy sector, including transmission and distribution inefficiencies, circular debt, capacity-related costs and governance challenges.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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