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ISLAMABAD, Nov 06 (APP):Member of National Assembly (MNA) Riaz Fatyana, citing Pakistan’s transition to solar energy as an example, has called for stronger regional cooperation to overcome existing challenges.
He was speaking at a session titled: ‘Advancing SDG 7 in the Hindu Kush Himalayas: Climate-Resilient Renewable Energy, Regional Cooperation and Pathways’ organized on the third day of 28th Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute here on Thursday.
He also highlighted the issues arising from Independent Power Producer (IPP) contracts and spoke on the importance of energy trade between the eight countries to address common challenges. He reiterated the vast energy potential of the region and the significant untapped resources.
ICIMOD’s Deputy Director-General, Ms Izabella Koziell, highlighted the region’s climate vulnerabilities and vast energy potential. The region, she said, often referred to as the “Third Pole” due to its extensive glaciers, plays a critical role in the global climate system but also presents significant challenges due to its difficult terrain.
Ms Koziell pointed out that while the HKH offers immense potential for hydro, wind, and solar energy, mere ambition is not enough.
Dr Abid Hussain from ICIMOD maintained that the HKH is home to 3.4 billion people, many of whom rely on its rivers for their energy needs. The region has an estimated energy potential of 3.5 terawatts, yet only 6 per cent of this potential is currently harnessed
Ms Fadiah Achmadi from UNESCAP delivered a technical presentation that revealed stark disparities in energy access across the region. While electricity access is near universal, access to clean cooking facilities remains low at just 64 per cent.
Earlier, speaking at a regional dialogue, titled: ‘Accelerating Green Industrialization: Policy Pathways, Opportunities and Challenges’, Additional Secretary for the Ministry of Industries Asif Saeed Lughmani has said that Pakistan’s export products will become more competitive if produced through environment-friendly processes, stressing that green industrialization is vital for sustainable growth and private sector’s role is crucial in this regard.
Lughmani noted that the government’s industrial policies, including electric vehicle policy, are people-centered and inclusive, which were developed through strong consultations. He said that following the 18th Amendment, the federal government provides policy guidelines while implementation rests with provincial and district governments.
Senior Joint Director of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Faisal Shafaat, has said that federal governing structures should play a leading role in developing a national taxonomy, raising awareness, and building capacity across sectors to boost green economic activity.
Dr Paras Kharel, Executive Director of the South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), Nepal, said that South Asia, one of the poorest regions in the world disproportionately affected by climate change, with nearly 40 per cent of its exports at risk from climate-related disruptions.
Dr Nishat Riaz, Chief Executive of Malala Fund Pakistan, praised the girls’ bravery, courage and resilience in getting education. She said strained resources and state’s wavering commitment was failing the girls’ pursuit of education.
Education Specialist at the World Bank, Maliha Hyder, said the Bank was supporting the government to bring out-of-school children back to school. She also called for increasing the education budget to 4% of GDP. She pointed out that 60% of school going children were not learning, highlighting a global learning crisis.
At a roundtable, titled: “Telecom and digital future of Pakistan: Artificial intelligence and the frontiers of development” experts said Pakistan’s digital landscape is rapidly evolving; Inclusive growth, ethical governance, infrastructure development, and strategic collaboration are essential to ensure a sustainable and transformative digital future.
Dr Mukaram Khan, Director-General (CVD) Pakistan Telecom Authority said the digital landscape in Pakistan is poised for transformation through AI, disruptive technologies, and the emerging Metaverse.
Mr Pervez Akhtar, International ICT Consultant said AI is not the future—it is the present, actively powering products, services, and daily business operations at Jazz. Pakistan’s telecom sector, built over 30–35 years, now supports over 200 million subscribers, providing a foundation for widespread AI adoption.
Brig. (Retd) Mohammad Yasin, Advisor Emeritus at SDPI, emphasized the importance of foresight, collaboration, and decisive policymaking. He highlighted that telecommunication and connectivity form the foundation of today’s digital society—driving business, governance, education, and defense.
At a session titled: “Moving Beyond GDP: Towards Inclusive Wealth,” economists and policy experts have called upon the government to move beyond GDP-based growth models and adopt an inclusive wealth framework that measures sustainability, equity, and well-being alongside economic output.
Former Joint Chief Economist Zafar ul Hassan said Pakistan’s pursuit of GDP growth through short-term consumption and remittance-driven spending has come at the cost of depleting natural resources and underinvesting in human capital.
Dr Pushpam Kumar, Chief Environmental Economist at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), said that inclusivity must become the basis for measuring progress. “Measuring GDP is important, but it tells only part of the story.
Muhammad Farooq of PIDE said inclusive wealth means more than single phenomenon. Planning Commission should lead in this regard of institutionalisation. More comprehensive policy work is needed, he added.