International Day of Clean Energy: President Zardari stresses role in development, climate action

WEB DESK: President Asif Ali Zardari said pollution-free energy was indispensable for inclusive development and achieving global climate targets, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to transitioning towards clean and sustainable energy.

In a message issued on the International Day of Clean Energy, the president said Pakistan had made the shift to clean energy a national priority, noting that the country was among those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

He said clean energy occupied a central place in government policy and stressed that low-carbon development was a key pillar of Pakistan’s national climate policy. Highlighting concrete targets, President Zardari said Pakistan aimed to ensure that 30 per cent of vehicles on its roads were electric by 2030.

The president warned that severe smog and air pollution had emerged as major public health challenges, adding that the social and economic consequences of air pollution were deeply concerning. He said addressing these challenges required urgent and sustained action.

President Zardari noted that clean and renewable sources currently accounted for 35 per cent of Pakistan’s energy mix, underlining the need to further enhance energy efficiency to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

He said clean energy was not only an environmental imperative but also an economic necessity, as it created employment opportunities and promoted technological advancement. Pakistan, he added, remained committed to building a reliable and sustainable energy system.

The president said Pakistan would continue to play an active role in global efforts to combat climate change and emphasised the importance of investing in safe and innovative technologies to protect the planet.