Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed retired Lieutenant General Muhammad Zafar Iqbal as his Special Assistant on Energy, granting him the status of a minister of state.
According to an official notification issued on October 14, 2026, the appointment takes effect immediately under Rule 4(6) of the Rules of Business, 1973. The Cabinet Division has been directed to take the necessary steps to implement the decision.
In his new role, Zafar Iqbal will oversee matters relating to the Power and Petroleum divisions of the Ministry of Energy. He has already been supervising both divisions as head of the National Coordination and Management Council (NCMC).
The council coordinates important energy-related matters, including imports of crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It also oversees certain petroleum exports and helps determine priorities for power generation.
Iqbal previously played a key role in negotiations with private and government-owned power producers as part of the government’s efforts to address challenges in the energy sector.
He also negotiated with commercial banks to arrange Rs1.225 trillion in loans to settle outstanding payments to independent power producers (IPPs). The government expected these negotiations to generate substantial long-term savings and reduce electricity costs.
Pakistan continues to face significant challenges in its energy sector, including high electricity tariffs, circular debt and dependence on imported fuels. Better coordination between the power and petroleum divisions remains important for improving energy management and addressing these issues.
The appointment places Iqbal in a key coordinating position as the government works to manage energy supplies, improve financial arrangements and address ongoing challenges in the country’s power and petroleum sectors.
