Pakistan considers importing coal from Kyrgyzstan to enhance power generation

WEB DESK: Pakistan is evaluating the option of importing coal from Kyrgyzstan to support its power generation needs while transitioning to coal from the Thar region.

In recent discussions, the Pakistani ambassador to Kyrgyzstan met with the Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Energy to advance energy cooperation between the two nations.

The Kyrgyz official welcomed the revival of the CASA-1000 project, which aims to deliver electricity from hydropower facilities in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Pakistan and Afghanistan. The project, which had faced delays, is now expected to be completed by late 2026.

The Kyrgyz Deputy Minister also expressed interest in arranging a call between Kyrgyzstan’s Energy Minister and Pakistan’s Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari.

The proposed discussion will focus on two key areas: the potential coal supply from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan and the provision of electricity from Pakistan to Kyrgyzstan during the winter through the CASA-1000 network.

During the 46th session of the Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Joint Ministerial Commission, Muhammad Ali, then Pakistan’s caretaker Energy Minister, discussed the possibility of importing Kyrgyz coal and offered to supply electricity to Kyrgyzstan during the winter months.

To advance these discussions, a Joint Working Group has been formed. The Kyrgyz side has requested details on the composition of Pakistan’s representatives in this group, as per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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