Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the high-level climate conference COP31 in Antalya, Turkey today as he begins a busy schedule of engagements with international leaders.

The Prime Minister will attend a high-level meeting titled “Clean Energy Transition 2035: Powering the Future” hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He is expected to deliver an important address outlining his vision for renewable energy and the transition towards clean energy.

During the COP31 summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also present Pakistan’s National Statement, highlighting the country’s position on climate justice and the challenges faced by nations severely affected by climate change. The announcement is expected to underline Pakistan’s concerns about the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries and to emphasize the importance of global cooperation and climate justice.

In addition to the planned address, the Prime Minister will hold important bilateral meetings with several world leaders throughout the day. Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing common environmental and climate-related challenges.

Later in the evening, Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif will attend a gala dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to meet world leaders. His participation in the summit provides an opportunity for Pakistan to highlight its climate priorities and strengthen diplomatic engagement with the international community.

A Saudi business delegation led by Prince Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Saud has expressed interest in investing in Karachi’s port infrastructure, logistics links and green initiatives, Pakistani authorities said Monday, as Islamabad seeks to expand maritime cooperation with its longtime Gulf ally.

The visit comes amid efforts by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to expand economic partnership from traditional trade, remittances and financial support to investment-based cooperation in infrastructure, energy and other areas. Pakistan is also seeking to modernize its ports, improve connections with land transport networks and expand transshipment operations to strengthen its position in regional trade.

Prince Mansoor, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian Chapter of the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council, led a high-level corporate delegation to Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Port Qasim and South Asia Pakistan Terminals Limited, where officials were briefed on investment opportunities and ongoing modernization projects.

The briefings focused on the proposed 140-acre Maritime Business District in Karachi and the development of Manora Shipyard.

“Prince Mansour expressed keen interest in KPT’s Maritime Business District, Green port initiatives, terminal infrastructure expansion and connectivity initiatives, recognizing their scope for mutually beneficial Saudi investment and joint ventures,” the KPT said in a statement. The Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council serves as a platform for companies and investors from both countries to identify commercial opportunities, develop partnerships and form joint ventures. Prince Mansour has led several delegations to Pakistan as the two governments seek to translate their long-standing political and defense ties into greater private sector investment. In June, KPT signed a memorandum of understanding with its Saudi Arabian and Pakistani partners to explore the development of a maritime business zone on MT Khan Road in Karachi.

The proposed development involves the Saudi Arabian Business Council – Najd Gateway Holding Company, Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited and a consortium of Pakistani companies and is intended to accommodate commercial and maritime businesses.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division Ahad Cheema chaired a meeting on Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs) where it was decided that smart meters will be installed on transformers across all DISCOs to curb theft and overbilling.

The meeting reviewed development programs for DISCOs and discussed the Economic Affairs Division’s (EAD) efforts to arrange funding for installing smart meters on transformers across all DISCOs. Participants noted that positive progress had been made so far in arranging funding for the smart metering system, which is intended to help curb electricity theft and overbilling.

The meeting discussed the continuation of the smart metering project after privatisation. Ahad Cheema said the government would put in place arrangements to ensure that private investors carry the project forward. Smart meters on transformers can help curb electricity theft, improve billing accuracy and protect consumers from overbilling, while safeguarding the interests of consumers, investors and the government.

Negotiations with multilateral partners for development programmes would continue until privatisation is completed. If DISKO is privatized during negotiations or plan development, the related financing and development plans will be transferred to private investors as part of the transfer, according to the agreement.

Ahad Cheema also emphasized that all new projects undertaken by private investors in DISCOs should be tendered and approved by the National Electricity Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) where applicable. He emphasized that the purpose of privatization is not to transfer costs or undue pressure to consumers. The government will facilitate this process while protecting the interests of consumers and ensuring that investors meet their financial and contractual obligations.