World Bank team to discuss energy sector portfolio

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank’s energy mission led by Moez Cherif, Practice Manager for Energy in the World Bank’s Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) Region, will visit Pakistan from November 9 to 13 to discuss the ongoing energy-sector portfolio and support its continued progress.

According to a World Bank letter addressed to Secretary Ministry of Economic Affairs Muhammad Humair Karim, the visit will be Moez Cherif’s first to Pakistan since assuming the position of Practice Manager on July 1, 2026.

During the visit, the World Bank delegation will hold meetings with senior government officials and key energy-sector institutions to review ongoing engagement and discuss issues relating to the energy-sector portfolio.

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The delegation will include Mohammad Anis, Energy Programme Coordinator and Senior Energy Specialist; Husam Beides, Advisor; Ky Hong Tran, Senior Energy Specialist; Gunjan Gautam, Senior Energy Specialist; Waqas Idrees, Senior Energy Specialist; and Minahil Raza, Energy Specialist.

The programme will begin with internal World Bank meetings in Islamabad on November 9, followed by a visit to Lahore on November 10.

In Lahore, the delegation will meet Managing Director National Grid Company (NGC). The delegation will subsequently meet Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) at WAPDA House.

The schedule also includes a virtual meeting with CD/CMU regarding mining before the delegation returns to Islamabad. On November 11, the World Bank team will meet Secretary Power at the Ministry of Energy (Power Division).

The delegation will also meet Secretary Petroleum at the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division). Meetings with the Asian Development Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) are scheduled for the afternoon at the World Bank office.

On November 12, the delegation will attend the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum in the morning, while meetings with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (PEDO) and National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) are also included in the programme.

The meeting with PEDO is scheduled at the World Bank office, while the meeting with Acting Managing Director NEECA regarding energy efficiency will take place at its office.

The World Bank team will also meet Secretary Privatisation Commission at Kohsar Block and Secretary Economic Affairs Division.

A virtual meeting with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is also scheduled for the evening.

The delegation is scheduled to depart Islamabad on November 13.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026