- Energy availability improved, but affordability remains central, leading citizens to adopt rooftop solar and alternatives
Interview with Mr. Owais Mir, Founder and CEO, Dynamic Engineering & Automation (DEA) Group
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please:
Owais Mir: I am Founder and CEO of Dynamic Engineering & Automation (DEA) Group established in 2007, providing energy solutions and EPC services. With over 20 years in the energy sector, I’ve worked on major gas projects like TAPI and Iran-Pakistan-India pipelines, represented Pakistan globally, and introduced advanced healthcare technologies. I’m a member of the Pakistan Institute of Petroleum, a board member of Asia Power Thar Coal, UK Ltd, and a Founding Director of the Shahid Afridi Foundation, focusing on sustainable energy and social impact.
PAGE: How would you describe 2025 for energy sector in Pakistan?
Owais Mir: The year 2025 has been a mixed period for Pakistan’s energy sector, marked by gradual progress but persistent structural challenges. The sector still faced chronic issues such as circular debt accumulation, rising fuel import costs, limited investment in transmission infrastructure, and slow regulatory reforms. Overall, 2025 can be described as a transition year, where the foundations for long-term reforms strengthened, but the short-term financial and operational pressures continued to test system resilience.
PAGE: What changes should have happened over the period of last one year and how do you see 2026?
Owais Mir:Â Over the past year, several changes should ideally have taken place to stabilize the sector:
Aggressive reduction of inefficiencies in generation, transmission, and distribution to reduce circular debt.
Acceleration of renewable energy integration, backed by flexible grid management and storage solutions. Expedition in E&P activities should have been done as need of an hour.
Timely tariff rationalization with transparent subsidy targeting to reduce price shocks.
Institutional strengthening, including faster regulatory approvals and clear policy direction.
Looking ahead, 2026 is likely to be a decisive year. If reforms continue, the sector can expect improved reliability, increased renewable penetration as well utilization of indigenous resources, and a more predictable investment environment. However, if structural bottlenecks remain unaddressed, price pressures and supply challenges may persist. 2026 is expected to be a year of stabilization—provided the government stays committed to reform implementation.
PAGE: What are your views regarding availability and price of energy for an ordinary citizen?
Owais Mir:Â For the ordinary citizen, energy availability has improved, especially in urban areas, due to better supply planning and the increasing uptake of distributed solar solutions. However, affordability remains the biggest concern. High fuel import dependency, capacity payments, transmission losses, and tariff adjustments have significantly raised electricity and gas prices.
As a result:
Energy has become a major household expenditure, especially for lower- and middle-income groups.
Many consumers are shifting to rooftop solar to manage bills.
Gas shortages and rising RLNG prices continue to affect domestic and commercial users.
In essence, while energy availability has become relatively stable, energy affordability has become the central challenge for ordinary citizens.
PAGE: What should be the policies of the incumbent government for the energy sector?
Owais Mir:Â The government should focus on five core policy directions:
1- Financial Sustainability:
Implement a clear circular debt reduction plan.
Target subsidies only to the most vulnerable.
Improve DISCO/Suis governance and collection efficiency.
2- Energy Transition & Renewable Expansion:
Accelerate utility-scale solar and wind projects.
Enable a national framework for rooftop solar, net metering, and energy storage.
Prioritize local manufacturing of solar equipment to reduce import dependency.
3- Gas Sector Reforms:
Introduce differentiated pricing to curb inefficient consumption.
Expand exploration & production activities.
4- Grid Modernization & Transmission Upgrades:
Invest in grid flexibility, smart metering, and high-voltage transmission lines.
Fast-track evacuation and integration of renewable energy corridors.
5- Institutional Strengthening & Governance:
Streamline regulatory approvals and update outdated policies.
Strengthen NEPRA, OGRA, AEDB, and provincial energy departments for coherent planning.
Promote transparent, data-driven decision-making through integrated energy planning systems.