Islamabad, 09 August 2024 – Qaiser Nawab, President of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD) and a globally recognized youth climate leader, held a significant meeting with Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, the Minister of Planning and Development and Energy for the Government of Sindh, at Sindh House, Islamabad. The meeting centered on the Sindh government’s ambitious plans to switch to renewable energy as a key strategy in combating climate change.
Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah shared his vision and mission for renewable energy in Sindh, emphasizing the province’s vulnerability to climate catastrophes, including flooding and heatwaves. He highlighted the Sindh Government’s proposal to allocate Rs. 25 billion over the next five years to provide free rooftop solar home systems to 2.6 million off-grid households. This initiative, aimed at delivering cheap and sustainable electricity to the people of Sindh, is set to begin in August, with solar panels being distributed across every division and district by the end of the month.
Minister Shah expressed his commitment to ensuring the transparency of the solarization project, as directed by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He underscored the importance of alternative energy sources in providing relief to the people of Sindh, who are currently burdened by expensive electricity bills.
Qaiser Nawab praised the Minister’s forward-thinking initiatives, noting the significant impact of renewable energy on improving the quality of life for Sindh’s residents. He also commended Minister Shah’s contributions in his previous portfolios, recognizing his consistent efforts to empower the people of Sindh.
During the meeting, Qaiser Nawab shared his experiences as a youth climate leader, highlighting his contributions to climate diplomacy. He emphasized the need to project Sindh’s renewable energy initiatives on the global stage, particularly at COP 29, to showcase Pakistan’s commitment to combating climate change.
Minister Shah appreciated Nawab’s global advocacy for climate diplomacy, especially his efforts to raise the voice of Pakistani youth on international platforms. He reiterated that the PPP, under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is dedicated to empowering young people and ensuring their active participation in the development of the nation, particularly in rural areas. He acknowledged that with over 65% of Pakistan’s population being youth, this demographic is the country’s greatest asset. However, the Minister stressed that women, children, and youth are the most affected by climate change, making their empowerment the utmost priority of the Sindh Government under the PPP’s vision.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to collaborate on promoting Sindh’s renewable energy initiatives globally and ensuring the active involvement of youth in Pakistan’s efforts to combat climate change.
