Shahmir Haq, Director, The Imperial Electric Company (Pvt) Ltd
The Imperial Electric Company (Pvt) Ltd (IEC), founded in 1931 and headquartered in Lahore, stands as one of Pakistan’s oldest and most respected engineering, distribution, and manufacturing enterprises. With a strong legacy spanning over nine decades, IEC has built a nationwide presence through branch offices across major cities, while its historic head office on Egerton Road in Lahore continues to serve as the nerve center of operations. The company specializes in power distribution, renewable energy solutions, and turnkey electrical infrastructure projects, catering to a diverse clientele that includes government, defense, semi-government, and private sector organizations.
In an exclusive conversation with Engineering Post, Shahmir Haq, Director at IEC, reflected on the company’s evolution and its strategic push into advanced energy storage technologies. “Our journey began in 1931 with a commitment to powering Pakistan’s progress,” said Shahmir Haq. “Today, IEC continues that tradition by bridging legacy expertise with cutting-edge innovations. We are not just distributors; we are partners in building resilient electrical infrastructure across the country.”
A major milestone for IEC came last year with the introduction of HiTHIUM Energy Storage Technology to Pakistan. Shahmir Haq described the partnership as a game-changer for the local market. “HiTHIUM, founded in August 2019 in Xiamen, China, has rapidly risen to become one of the world’s top two manufacturers in energy storage battery shipments. What sets them apart is their pure focus on stationary energy storage. Unlike many manufacturers who prioritize electric vehicles, HiTHIUM optimizes every aspect for longevity, safety, and significantly lower Levelized Cost of Storage (LCOS). This alignment perfectly matches Pakistan’s growing need for reliable, long-term energy solutions,” he explained.
Currently, IEC has successfully introduced low voltage lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) HiTHIUM batteries, which have received an overwhelmingly positive response from customers. “The market feedback has been exceptional,” Shahmir Haq noted with evident satisfaction. “We are seeing strong demand, to the extent that many clients are placing advance bookings and payments. This early traction validates our decision to bring HiTHIUM to Pakistan at a time when energy reliability and sustainability are becoming critical priorities.”
Looking ahead, IEC is preparing to expand its offerings. “In the next few months, we will introduce the 30KW battery variant, which will further strengthen our portfolio and cater to larger commercial and industrial requirements,” Shahmir Haq revealed. He highlighted the technical superiority of these batteries, emphasizing their impressive 11,000 charge-discharge cycles. “This is substantially higher than the industry standard of 8,000 – 11000 cycles. For our customers, this translates into greater reliability, reduced replacement frequency, and better long-term value.”
When asked about future plans to meet surging demand, Shahmir Haq shared IEC’s ambitious scaling strategy. “We are committed to ensuring uninterrupted supply. As customer interest grows, we plan to increase our import volume. This will allow us to fulfill orders efficiently and support Pakistan’s transition toward cleaner, more sustainable energy systems.”
Shahmir Haq emphasized that IEC’s strength lies in combining decades of local market understanding with global technological partnerships. The company’s nationwide footprint enables it to deliver comprehensive solutions from design and supply to installation and after-sales support for complex power projects. As Pakistan faces increasing energy challenges, initiatives like the HiTHIUM partnership position IEC as a forward-looking leader in the renewable and storage domain.
