Dr. Gohar Ejaz, former caretaker commerce minister, has expressed deep concerns over the sharp increase in electricity tariffs, questioning the significant disparity between the production cost and the charges billed to consumers. In a recent tweet, Dr. Ejaz revealed that the production cost of electricity in July was only Rs. 9.03 per unit, yet consumers are being charged rates as…
Read MoreMonth: August 2024
Power Subsidy in Punjab Raises Concerns Over IMF Scrutiny
The Punjab government’s recent decision to provide a Rs. 14 per unit subsidy on electricity bills for consumers using 201 to 500 units per month has sparked concerns about its sustainability and potential scrutiny from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This relief measure, amounting to Rs. 45 billion, is intended to ease the financial burden on consumers during the peak…
Read MorePM Vows to Tackle Corruption in Power Sector, Orders Crackdown on Electricity Theft
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday issued strict directives to combat corruption within the power sector, particularly targeting dishonest practices in distribution companies (Discos). During a high-level meeting to review the power ministry’s performance, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to curbing electricity theft, reducing line losses, and enhancing the power distribution system nationwide. Highlighting recent efforts to…
Read MoreOil prices ease on China demand fears, focus on Mideast talks
TOKYO, Aug 19 (Reuters) – Oil prices eased in early Asian trading on Monday as fears of weaker demand in top oil importer China weighed on market sentiment while investors focus on the progress of ceasefire talks in the Middle East, which could reduce supply risks. Brent crude futures dropped 13 cents, or 0.2%, to $79.55 per barrel by 0032 GMT. U.S.…
Read MorePPIB Set to Extend LoIs for Three Solar PV Projects by 12 Months
ISLAMABAD: The Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) is preparing to extend Letters of Intent (LoIs) for 12 months for three category-III solar PV projects. The decision was made during a recent Projects Committee meeting, chaired by the Additional Secretary of the Planning Division. The LoIs, initially issued to RE Solar I (Pvt) Limited, RE Solar II (Pvt) Limited, and…
Read MoreExperts Urge Immediate Action to Protect Mangroves, Vital for Marine Life and Carbon Sequestration
KARACHI: Environmentalists are calling for urgent measures to safeguard mangrove forests, emphasizing their essential role in supporting marine life and sequestering carbon. These unique ecosystems, found in coastal regions such as Karachi, Keti Bandar, Thatta, Sujawal, and parts of Balochistan, are critical nurseries for fish, crabs, and shrimp, and can capture up to four times more carbon than other coastal…
Read MoreMOL Discovers Hydrocarbons in Kohat
ISLAMABAD: Hungarian oil and gas company MOL has announced a significant hydrocarbon discovery at an exploratory well in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The discovery was made in the Razgir-1 Exploratory well, part of the TAL Joint Venture, which MOL operates. The joint venture includes MOL Pakistan Oil & Gas Co. B.V. as the operator, alongside its partners, Oil…
Read MoreMNCs Consider Relocation Amid Internet Disruptions: Pakistan Business Council
KARACHI: The Pakistan Business Council (PBC) has raised alarms about an increasing trend of multinational companies (MNCs) planning to relocate their back offices from Pakistan, with several already having done so recently. This shift is largely attributed to widespread internet disruptions caused by the reported imposition of a firewall, severely impacting business operations. The warning coincides with a report from…
Read MorePower Users Set to Receive Rs 4.5 Billion Refund in September Bills
ISLAMABAD: In a positive development for consumers, government-owned power distribution companies (Discos) are seeking a refund of Rs 4.5 billion to be reflected in September bills. This comes as the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has requested a 31 paise per unit reduction in the fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for electricity consumed in July. The CPPA’s petition to the National…
Read MoreSindh cabinet has allotted 250 acres for setting up three solar parks
Karachi: The Sindh cabinet has approved allotting 250 acres of land in the Manjhand area in District Jamshoro for setting up a solar park having a generation capacity of 500 MWs of clean electricity.The provincial cabinet, whose meeting was chaired by the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, also approved allotting 612 acres of land in District Central of…
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