ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is exploring the possibility of importing coal from Kyrgyzstan to use for power generation until it can fully shift to coal from the Thar region.
The Pakistani ambassador to Kyrgyzstan met with the Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Energy to discuss energy cooperation between the two countries. The Kyrgyz official expressed satisfaction that the stalled CASA-1000 project has resumed and is optimistic that it will be completed by the end of 2026. The CASA-1000 project aims to transmit electricity from hydropower plants in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Energy conveyed that the Kyrgyz Energy Minister is interested in a telephone call with his Pakistani counterpart, the Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari. The proposed call would cover two main topics: the potential supply of coal from Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan and the supply of electricity from Pakistan to Kyrgyzstan during the winter season through the CASA-1000 project.
During the 46th session of the Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Joint Ministerial Commission, Pakistan’s then-caretaker Energy Minister, Muhammad Ali, met with the Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Energy to explore the possibility of importing coal from Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan also offered to provide electricity to Kyrgyzstan during the winter months through the CASA-1000 network.
As a follow-up, a Joint Working Group has been established to hold further discussions on these issues. The Kyrgyz side has requested that Pakistan share the composition of its representatives on this Joint Working Group, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
