ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi left for Turkey on a three-day visit on Sunday, at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
While talking to the reporters at Islamabad airport, President Alvi thanked the Saudi Government for supporting Pakistan in its hour of crisis by agreeing to provide $3 billion to address the imbalance of payments and supply oil worth $3.2 billion on deferred payment, the President’s office said in a statement.
Alvi said Pakistan was open to investment in the mining and oil refinery sectors.
The president hoped that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China in the first week of November would also bring about positive developments.
“He said Pakistan also desired to expand its cooperation, investment and exports with the UAE,” the statement said.
Talking about Islamabad’s ties with Ankara, the president told reporters at the airport before departure: “Turkey is an important friend of Pakistan, which has always supported us on all issues, including Kashmir.”
The president said during his visit to Turkey that he would also interact with the Turkish leadership to further strengthen these brotherly ties, besides interacting with other leaders attending the opening of the new Istanbul International Airport.
The Turkish Government claims the new airport will be the world’s largest once it is completed.
President leaves for Turkey, grateful for Saudi help for Pakistani economy
President leaves for Turkey, grateful for Saudi help for Pakistani economy
- Pakistan president will attend the inauguration ceremony of new international airport in Istanbul
- KSA supported Pakistan in hour of crisis, Alvi said
Pakistan urges concessional finance for developing nations to boost clean energy security
- Pakistan has emerged as one of world’s fastest growing solar markets, with 12GWs of off-grid and 6GWs of net-metered capacity in 2025
- PM’s aide says Islamabad remains committed to Paris Agreement, looks for continued support in building a resilient and low-carbon future
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged international partners to scale up concessional financing for developing countries, the country’s Press Information Department (PID) said on Sunday, citing an aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The call was made by Sharif’s coordinator on climate change, Romina Khurshid Alam, while delivering Pakistan’s national statement at the 16th International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan has emerged as one of the world’s fastest growing solar markets, with 12 gigawatts (GWs) of off-grid and over 6GWs of net-metered solar capacity by the end of 2025. Last fiscal year, renewables accounted for a historic 53 percent of total electricity generation, according to Alam.
The prime minister’s aide stressed that affordable funding for developing nations is critical to accelerating their transition to clean energy and strengthening energy security amid rising climate and economic challenges.
“Alam reaffirmed Pakistan’s target of achieving 60 percent renewables in the power mix by 2030,” the PID said in a statement.
“In her call to action, she urged IRENA and Member States to increase concessional finance for developing nations, treat technologies such as energy storage and green hydrogen as global public goods, and strengthen regional cooperation for shared energy security.”
IRENA is a global intergovernmental agency for energy transformation that serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, supports countries in their energy transition, and provides state of the art data and analyzes on technology, innovation, policy, finance and investment. Its membership comprises 170 countries and the European Union (EU).
The 16th session of the IRENA Assembly is taking place on Jan. 10-12 in Abu Dhabi and focuses on the theme of “Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity.” The session has gathered global leaders and energy decision-makers to discuss strategies and underline necessary actions for the acceleration of renewable energy across countries, regions, and the world, driving economic inclusion, equity, and human well-being.
Alam shared that Pakistan is taking action against energy poverty through initiatives like the Punjab Solar Panel Scheme 2026, which provides free or subsidized systems to low-income households.
She highlighted how distributed solar kits have restored power and livelihoods in flood-affected communities and offer a replicable model for climate-resilient recovery.
“Pakistan remains fully committed to the Paris Agreement and looks to IRENA for continued technical and financial support in building a resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon future,” Alam said.
Adopted in 2015 to combat climate change, the Paris Agreement binds nations to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”
