THE weather takes a pleasant turn as one journeys out of urban Quetta. The road to Hanna Urak presents one with a calm oasis, even amidst burgeoning housing developments. Along this main road, perched on one side, we come across the University of Community Development, a unique, climate-conscious institution. Set in the scenic embrace of the Hanna Urak valley’s mountainous…
Read MoreYear: 2023
Mardan set to be declared power theft-free city today
ISLAMABAD: The efforts to curb power theft have started paying off. Mardan is going to be declared a theft-free city today (Wednesday) by the Ministry of Energy. Attached with it is a reward for the citizens: there will be no load-shedding from now onward as long as power theft remains at zero level. Mardan had been facing power outages of…
Read MorePlan for G2G oil deal with Russia shelved
Govt allows refineries to enter into direct commercial contracts with Russian firms ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to shelve plans for a long-term oil import deal with Russia under a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement and has allowed refineries to strike direct commercial agreements with companies of the European nation. Earlier, Pakistan and Russia agreed to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle…
Read MorePublic servants cost national kitty over Rs8tr, study reveals
ISLAMABAD: The federal government spends over Rs8 trillion on paying its 1.92 million employees and providing pensions on top of over six dozen kinds of perks, privileges and other dole outs, yet knowing little about their contribution, outcome and impact on taxpayers. While the judiciary gets the highest in perks, it is the Pakistan Administrative Services (PAS) erstwhile DMG that…
Read MorePM to attend UN climate moot in UAE
ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, who is currently visiting China to attend an international forum, will be visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) next month. He will attend the United Nations climate change conference being held at the Dubai Expo Centre. Diplomatic sources told The News on Monday that Pakistan had conveyed UAE authorities its consent to take part…
Read MoreSaudi Aramco, PSO, TAPI gas pipeline: Oil, gas issues now come under sharper SIFC focus
ISLAMABAD: The Apex Committee (AC) of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has directed Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and Petroleum Division to expedite resolution of issues of Saudi Aramco and Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and TAPI gas pipeline, well informed sources told Business Recorder. Minister for Energy Muhammad Ali has already dashed to China direct from Russia, as advance team of…
Read MoreAzad Pattan, Kohala HP projects: Chances of achieving FC slim
ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has stated that probability of achieving financial closure of 700-MW Azad Pattan Hydropower project and 1124-Kohala Power project was low, official sources told Business Recorder. This information was shared with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a meeting convened to finalise agenda for the visit of caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq to China. Pakistan…
Read MorePSO receivables cross Rs755bn
ISLAMABAD: Rising with each passing day, the receivables of Pakistan State Oil — the country’s largest firm by revenue — have crossed a record Rs755 billion by Monday or about 21pc of its annual revenue, virtually halting its strategic business expansion. In its latest report of its financials submitted to the federal government, the country’s largest fuel supplier reported that…
Read MoreUK firm shows interest in buying Shell Pakistan
KARACHI: Shell Pakistan Ltd (SPL) said on Monday it has received a public announcement of intention from UK-based Prax Overseas Holdings Ltd to buy its 77.42 per cent shares, which are currently held by the oil firm’s foreign sponsor. The potential acquirer is a British investment firm with its entire shareholding resting with fuel supplier State Oil Ltd. The energy…
Read MoreAfter oil price cut, traders seek energy tariff reduction
Ask govt to do away with gas outages, formulate sustainable policy KARACHI: While welcoming a significant reduction in petrol price, businesspeople have underlined the need for evolving a stable policy, slashing electricity and gas tariffs, and eliminating gas outages and painfully low pressure. “If the government formulates a sustainable policy for at least three months, this decrease will benefit the…
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