Hassan Abbas, CEO of Sky 47 joins this episode of the Energy Sphere and explains why data centers are no longer just an IT story, but a national infrastructure play shaped by energy, policy, and sovereignty. With hosts Sarah Kazmi and Asjadullah Qureshi, this episode pulls back the curtain on Sky 47's 8.5 MW Islamabad campus, the company's plan to add 50 MW across Karachi and Lahore, and why its launch has already increased Pakistan's data center capacity by 23%. Hassan also makes the case for keeping Pakistani data within Pakistani borders, arguing that resilience, autonomy, and security matter as much as speed and scale.You'll discover:

• Why energy companies like Mari Energies are moving into data centers
• How wheeling policy could unlock stranded power across Pakistan
• Why small server rooms may be less efficient than a single purpose-built campus
• The misconceptions around water use, grid strain, and environmental impact
• Why AI will create a new wave of demand for large-scale, power-hungry infrastructure

Contact: energypodcast.pk@gmail.com for comments, feedback and inquiries

Energy Sphere Season 1 is co hosted by Iraj Tariq, Asjadullah Qureshi and Sarah Kazmi. It is supported by the U.S. Mission to Pakistan in partnership with the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN). The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast solely belongs to those of the individuals expressing it, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Mission and USEFP.

Pakistan's EV boom is already here. Host and energy lawyer Sarah Kazmi sits down with Dr. Naveed, director of the LUMS Energy Institute, to unpack what is actually happening behind Pakistan's electric vehicle transition. From the 2019 national EV policy and the multi-ministry coordination problem that slowed early progress, to the sharp surge in demand after global fuel shocks, this conversation shows why Pakistan's adoption curve looks very different from the US or Europe. You'll discover why 84% of Pakistan's vehicle market makes electrification a completely different challenge, why women and younger riders are becoming a major new EV customer segment, and why swappable batteries may be the key to three-wheelers. Dr. Naveed also breaks down the real bottlenecks holding back scale, including missing motorcycle-equivalent models, charging infrastructure for longer trips, and the need for off-peak EV tariffs.He also shares how LUMS Energy Institute became an unexpected EV powerhouse - with battery testing, vehicle testing, startup spinouts, and a pilot in Multan that grew into expanded funding and three-city deployment. Along the way, he explains where the real business opportunities are emerging: EV software, battery assembly, power electronics, motor technology, wireless charging, and especially electric freight.

Dr. Naveed Arshad is a Director of the LUMS Energy Institute. His research interests include energy, climate informatics, and electric vehicles. Dr. Arshad has published nearly seventy research articles in top international journals and conferences. Additionally, Dr. Arshad has authored many reports and white papers on advocacy and evidence-based policy recommendations. He co-founded multiple start-up companies in big data, energy analytics, and electric vehicles. Dr. Arshad holds an MS and PhD from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

https://lei.lums.edu.pk/ for more information

Contact: energypodcast.pk@gmail.com for comments, feedback and inquiries

Energy Sphere Season 1 is co hosted by Iraj Tariq, Asjadullah Qureshi and Sarah Kazmi. It is supported by the U.S. Mission to Pakistan in partnership with the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN). The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast solely belongs to those of the individuals expressing it, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Mission and USEFP.

Join the hosts Sarah Kazmi (energy lawyer) and Asjadullah Qureshi (power sector expert) as they welcome Dan Acker, Economic Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, for a conversation on the evolving landscape of U.S.-Pakistan cooperation in the energy sector

In this episode, Dan discusses the role of the U.S. Embassy in facilitating commercial engagement between U.S. and Pakistani companies connecting businesses, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and supporting trade and investment across Pakistan's energy landscape. He also shares insights into current areas of U.S.-Pakistan cooperation and highlights future investment opportunities in the hydrocarbons, power and minerals sectors.

The conversation explores how U.S. companies are contributing through advanced exploration technologies, power transmission, critical minerals development and digital innovation, while examining the role of technology transfer, workforce development, regulatory reform and long-term international partnerships in supporting Pakistan's energy transition and economic growth.

For U.S. and Pakistani businesses seeking to build partnerships, explore investment opportunities and better understand Pakistan's evolving energy landscape, this episode is an essential listen.

Contact: energypodcast.pk@gmail.com for comments, feedback and inquiries

Energy Sphere Season 1 is supported by the U.S. Mission to Pakistan in partnership with the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN). The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast solely belongs to those of the individuals expressing it, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Mission and USEFP.