Electricity tariffs for the domestic consumers are going dearer by more than what was earlier suggested. The increase approved by Nepra, awaiting government notification is Rs1.68 per unit in the newly announced unprotected consumer category. Recall that lifeline consumer definition has now been expanded from 50 units to 100 units. And the protected category now also included consumers using up…
Read MoreYear: 2021
Status of the IMF Programme
There continues to be a hiatus in the finalization of the sixth review of the IMF Extended Fund Facility to Pakistan. The Pakistan economic team, led by the Finance Minister arrived in Washington on the 4th of October and negotiations for completion of the review and the setting of targets and reform agenda for subsequent reviews continued till the 23rd…
Read MoreNTDC MD’s office: JS Power Division, GM vying for additional charge
A Joint Secretary (JS) from the Power Division and a General Manager (GM) from the National Transmission & Despatch Company (NTDC) are vying for additional charge of the office of Managing Director (MD) lying vacant after sudden resignation of the incumbent one within three months of his appointment, said sources. The sources added that the Board of Directors (BoD) of…
Read MoreRLNG power plants’ sell-off: JP Morgan team briefed on investment opportunities
The Privatisation Division has held a meeting with JP Morgan officials in the backdrop of the privatisation of two RLNG power plants of Haveli Bahadar Shah and Balloki. The JP Morgan is one the world’s largest investment banks and advising the consortium of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which showed keen interest for the privatisation of the NPPMCL. The senior representatives…
Read MoreGas Predicament
PAKISTAN’S cash-strapped government has been forced to buy the priciest LNG shipment from a Qatari trader for delivery later this month to avoid blackouts. Pakistan must pay a huge amount for its energy needs following default by two suppliers on their long-term commitments to supply one LNG cargo each per month at the fixed rate of 11.95pc and 11.63pc of…
Read MoreGovt to end supply of subsidised gas to industry
With supply shortages and unsustainable average cost of gas, the government is going to withdraw subsidised gas rates of $6.5 per unit for the industrial sector as first part of a three-phased tariff rationalisation plan. A senior government official told Dawn that Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) had already moved a summary to the federal cabinet for ending subsidised gas…
Read MoreBusiness community rejects steep hike in petroleum products
Business community have rejected yet another record increase in prices of petroleum products and urged the government to revise its decision forthwith. Traders while talking to this scribe on Sunday said that a relief package was announced by Prime’s Minister during address to nation, but at the same time, the government has continuously increased prices of petroleum commodities, which was…
Read MoreBlow to $3 bn gas pipeline project: Russia upset over new move by PD for renegotiation on settled issues
Top sources said that the Russian delegation that was due to start talks on November 9-12 in Islamabad to finalize the remaining points of the shareholding agreement has been stopped by the authorities in Moscow. They took the letter, the sources said, from the Petroleum Division as a shocking surprise and called back the Russian delegation to Moscow that was…
Read MoreAsia LNG prices slip below $30/mmBtu as supply improves in Europe
Asia liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices fell for a third straight week, as improved gas supply in Europe reduced the competition for LNG in Asia, though losses were limited by fresh demand from Pakistan and Turkey. The average LNG price for December delivery into Northeast Asia fell to $29.50 per metric million British thermal units (mmBtu), down $1.50 or about…
Read MoreGas must be supplied to industries on priority basis: leading exporters
Leading industrialists/ exporters have demanded that first priority in respect of gas supply must be given to industries of Karachi which contribute more than 54 percent to national exports, provide highest urban employment and generate highest taxes for the Government, besides being the highest subsidy provider. They demanded that the Government must give industry total preference and top priority and…
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