Pakistan's parliament, people enjoy deep ties with Saudi Arabia — deputy speaker

Pakistan's Deputy Speaker National Assembly Zahid Akram Durrani (left) meets Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Sheikh, is Islamabad, Pakistan, on May 9, 2023. (NA of Pakistan)
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Updated 09 May 2023
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Pakistan's parliament, people enjoy deep ties with Saudi Arabia — deputy speaker

  • Saudi Shura Council chairman meets Pakistan's Deputy Speaker National Assembly Zahid Akram Durrani 
  • Saudi Arabia is a friend of Pakistan that shares in its joys and sorrows, says Saudi Shura Council chairman

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's parliament and its people enjoy deep relations with the kingdom, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Zahid Akram Durrani said on Tuesday during his meeting with the Saudi Shura Council chairman. 

Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Sheikh, chairman of the Saudi Shura Council, an assembly that advises the Saudi king on important issues, met Durrani on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebrations of Pakistan's 1973 constitution. 

Month-long celebrations for the golden jubilee of Pakistan's constitution kicked off on April 10 and will last till May 10. 

The two representatives exchanged pleasantries and discussed Pakistan-Saudi Arabia's bilateral relations during the meeting. 

"Pakistan's parliament and people have deep ties with the government and people of Saudi Arabia," Durrani said, according to the National Assembly secretariat. "Pakistan takes pride in its friendly and brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia."

Durrani said the exchange of delegations at the parliamentary level between the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Parliamentary Friendship Group is necessary. 

"The love received from the people of Pakistan will always be remembered," Al-Sheikh said. "Saudi Arabia is a friend of Pakistan, sharing its joys and sorrows, standing shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in every difficult hour," he added. 

The Saudi Shura Council chairman said the people of all four provinces of Pakistan always show immense love, adding that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia's relations are an example for the whole world to follow. 

"The promotion of ties at the parliamentary level is essential," Al-Sheikh said. "The exchange between the Pakistan-Saudi Parliamentary Friends Group will play an important role in further strengthening bilateral relations."


Chinese giant Hoymiles enters Pakistani market to provide high-tech energy storage solutions

Updated 05 January 2026
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Chinese giant Hoymiles enters Pakistani market to provide high-tech energy storage solutions

  • The development comes after Pakistan emerges as one of world’s fastest-growing solar markets, importing nearly 50GW of solar panels
  • Hoymiles entry will address long-hour backup and energy storage challenges facing Pakistan’s growing solar sector, local partner says

KARACHI: Renowned Chinese inverter manufacturer Hoymiles has entered Pakistan to provide high-tech, long-duration energy storage solutions for residential, commercial and industrial buildings by utilizing solar systems for electricity consumption, its Pakistani partner said on Monday.

Over the past few years, a large number of Pakistani industrial, commercial and residential electricity consumers have shifted to solar power systems to address frequent power outages and the rising cost of electricity. Reports indicate that net-metering capacity currently stands at 6,000 megawatts (MWs), while off-grid solar capacity has increased to 12,000 MWs in Pakistan by the end of 2025.

Hoymiles has formed strategic partnerships with Superstar, a renowned name in Pakistan’s automotive industry, and Harisun Energy, a new entrant in the energy solutions sector, to explore the Pakistani market, which is witnessing rapid growth in solar power adoption. In this regard, launch events were held simultaneously in Karachi and Lahore, unveiling multiple storage solutions produced by Hoymiles under the brands of Harisun Energy and Superstar.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Hoymiles launching ceremony in Karachi, Ali Rashid, advisor to Sindh chief minister on science and information technology (IT), said the provincial government appreciates foreign investors, particularly Chinese companies, establishing their industries, assembly, and distribution units in Karachi to meet the demand of the local market as well as export solutions to other countries.

“The government is working rigorously to facilitate foreign investors and companies to enhance their business and commercial activities, mainly in the technology and renewable energy sectors, to improve the living standards of the public and boost economic activity within the country and the province of Sindh,” he said.

The Sindh government is currently collaborating with various Chinese companies across different sectors, including logistics and renewable energy, and it welcomes further cooperation between the private and public sectors, according to Rashid.

The provincial government is considering establishing its own regulatory authority and transmission company, aimed at setting up a separate electricity grid system at the provincial level, which could provide affordable electricity to the masses and enhance connectivity to remote areas, preferably through renewable energy resources.

According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), Pakistan has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing solar markets, importing approximately 50 GW of solar panels amid falling prices and widespread adoption across sectors in the first half of the year. This surge has made Pakistan the third-largest market for Chinese solar panels, a growth that has attracted global attention.

Superstar Solar Energy and Harisun Energy are introducing Hoymiles’ innovative range of solar inverters, energy storage solutions, and smart energy management systems to the Pakistani market. These solutions are designed to deliver reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy, empowering individuals and businesses to harness solar power as a clean and green energy source.

“Pakistan’s growing solar sector is facing a major challenge related to long-hour backup and energy storage solutions, which will soon be addressed with the entry of a global leader in energy solutions,” said Haris Jamsheed, CEO of Harisun Energy.

“Our partnership with the Chinese company will provide innovative energy storage solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial solar systems, enabling uninterrupted electricity supply at workplaces, factories, and homes during nighttime hours.”

Solarization has continued to expand across the country on a large scale due to prolonged load-shedding in remote areas and the high cost of electricity, which has become unaffordable for many households and industrial units, particularly in recent years.

“We have vowed to bring an energy revolution to Pakistan through innovative storage solutions, as the industrial and commercial sectors can enhance productivity with low-cost electricity backup systems,” said Saleem Umar, Chairman of Superstar.

“Affordable electricity will reduce operational costs at the domestic level, enabling exporters to compete more effectively in global markets.”