Islamabad: The Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives, in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), convened a one-day policy dialogue in Islamabad titled “Greening the Macro-Fiscal Economic Regime for Low Carbon Development.” The event gathered stakeholders from both public and private sectors to discuss strategies to align Pakistan’s economic policies with its climate and energy transition goals.

Prominent figures such as Mr. Wolfgang Hesse from GIZ Pakistan, Ms. Nadia Rehman of the Planning Commission, and Mr. Gul Hassan Bhutto of NEPRA attended the session. Mr. Mahfooz Ahmed Bhatti from the Ministry of Energy chaired the dialogue, which saw participation from various organizations.

Mr. Wolfgang Hesse emphasized the interconnectedness of Pakistan’s macroeconomic issues and climate challenges, pointing out the potential for aligning fiscal reforms with climate objectives as the country negotiates policy-based loans. He highlighted Germany’s support for Pakistan’s national vision through the Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Partnership.

Ms. Nadia Rehman, in her keynote address, discussed the URAAN Pakistan 5Es framework, which integrates green growth into the country’s industrial and economic systems. This initiative aims to promote green industrialization and support clean energy solutions as part of Pakistan’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

Mr. Hassan Shafqaat from the Pakistan Textile Council stressed the importance of aligning local industry practices with international standards, urging the government to provide incentives for small and medium enterprises to modernize and comply with global environmental standards.

CEO of Shams Power, Mr. Omer Malik, highlighted the critical role of the transmission network in the energy sector, advocating for technical assistance to enhance operational efficiency and system stability.

Mr. Shah Jahan Mirza of PPIB spoke on the priority of renewable energy development, calling for coordinated policy implementation to integrate energy planning with sustainable development.

The seminar concluded with a collective commitment to continue efforts that integrate climate resilience into economic policy and support Pakistan’s green transition.