ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday formed a task force to devise the first national policy on waste-to-energy projects.

The task force will promote private sector participation and establish a clear strategy, institutional framework and the roadmap to advance waste-to-energy projects, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

It said the policy would facilitate investment in waste-to-energy projects in the country.

Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Leghari will be the convener of the task force.

The body will also include Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, federal secretaries for climate change and inter-provincial coordination, as well as secretaries of local government, climate change and energy departments from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Representatives from the private sector have also been included as members in the body.

The government said the task force would examine international best practices related to waste-to-energy generation and identify legal, regulatory, financial and operational barriers hindering the sector’s growth in the country.

The terms of reference of the task force include proposing legislation and regulatory reforms to support the development of waste-to-energy projects.

In addition, the body will recommend measures to improve coordination among stakeholders and facilitate implementation of waste-to-energy initiatives in the country.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2026