KATI President Muhammad Akram Rajput said the establishment of a new provincial power regulator will ensure the supply of affordable and reliable electricity, a move that could prove crucial in enhancing industrial competitiveness, increasing exports, and creating employment opportunities in Sindh.
Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) President Muhammad Akram Rajput, in a statement today, termed the Sindh Cabinet’s approval of the Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority (SEPRA) a significant development for the energy sector. He stated that this authority has been established under the Sindh Regulation of Electric Power Services Act, 2023.
Mr. Rajput described the establishment of SEPRA as a “historic and strategic” move by the provincial government and congratulated Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah. He emphasized that this step will strengthen provincial autonomy in the energy sector and create new opportunities for industrial development.
The KATI President also commended the new leadership, congratulating Rafiq Ahmed Shaikh on his appointment as Chairman, Nand Lal P. Sharma as Member Technical and Development, Irtiza-ur-Rehman as Member Legal and Corporate, and Muhammad Hanif Idrees as Member Finance and Policy.
Confidence was expressed that the new appointments will ensure transparent, professional, and forward-looking regulation. Mr. Rajput highlighted Sindh’s vast low-cost power generation resources, including wind corridors, significant solar potential, and local coal reserves, which can now be fully leveraged by an empowered provincial regulator to promote economic expansion.
He stressed that Karachi, the backbone of the country’s economy, will significantly benefit from an effective regulatory framework tailored to provincial needs.
Furthermore, Mr. Rajput pointed out the crucial role of the Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company in delivering electricity at competitive rates. He explained that by strengthening the transmission infrastructure, low-cost energy can be effectively delivered to industrial hubs, reducing the overall cost for manufacturers.
As a potential next step, the business leader proposed the establishment of special industrial energy zones with a consumption capacity of 3,000 to 5,000 megawatts. He said such zones would attract investment, boost manufacturing, enhance value addition, and create extensive employment opportunities.
Mr. Rajput concluded by reiterating the commitment that KATI will fully cooperate with the Sindh government and SEPRA to ensure that the new regulatory system provides affordable, sustainable, and growth-oriented energy solutions for the province.