Hedge funds and algorithmic trading have significantly amplified market instability, capitalizing on fear to drive speculative trades. It resulted in artificial price spikes, disconnecting it from fundamental supply and demand dynamics. Physical buyers have faced liquidity crises. Unregulated trading platforms exacerbated market instability by facilitating unchecked speculation. Speculative trading volumes far exceed actual consumption, artificially inflating TTF prices, decoupling from…
Read MoreDay: January 2, 2025
Senate Panel Briefed: Talks with 16 IPPs Nearing Conclusion, Farmers Demand Lower Tariffs
ISLAMABAD: Negotiations with 16 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are expected to conclude by the end of January, following the termination of contracts with five IPPs, a senior Power Division official informed the Senate Standing Committee on National Food Security and Research on Wednesday. The termination of these agreements is projected to save Rs440 billion annually, with further benefits anticipated from…
Read MoreGovernment to Establish ‘Minerals Division’ for National Development
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to establish a dedicated Minerals Division to accelerate the development of the country’s mineral sector, informed sources revealed. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed an Inter-Provincial Committee (IPC) to oversee this initiative. Chaired by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, the committee includes Federal Minister for Investment Bilal Azhar Kayani, secretaries…
Read MoreNepra Questions Feasibility of Gepco’s Rs100bn Investment Plan Amid Privatization Drive
ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has raised concerns over the Gujranwala Electric Power Company’s (Gepco) ambitious Rs100 billion five-year investment plan, citing potential financial burdens on consumers and doubts about its feasibility. The investment plan, spanning FY2025-26 to FY2029-30, was discussed during a public hearing chaired by the Nepra chairman. The hearing comes as the government moves…
Read MoreGas Theft in KP Reduced by 64% in FY24
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s southern region witnessed a significant reduction in gas theft and line losses, which dropped from Rs8.8 billion in FY20 to Rs3.17 billion in FY24. However, approximately Rs8.684 million worth of natural gas continues to be stolen daily in the districts of Karak, Hangu, and Shakardara, resulting in monthly losses of Rs264.66 million. The consistent decline in losses…
Read MoreOMC Sales Drop 19% MoM in December but Show 4% Growth in 1HFY25
KARACHI: The oil marketing companies (OMC) sector reported sales of 1.28 million tons in December 2024, reflecting a 3% year-on-year (YoY) increase but a sharp 19% decline compared to November, attributed to seasonal fluctuations, according to Maaz Azam, Research Head at Optimus Capital Management. In the first half of FY2024-25 (1HFY25), OMC sales rose by 4% YoY to 8.03 million…
Read MoreIndustrialists Urge Immediate Reduction in Oil Prices Amid Economic Transformation Plan
KARACHI: Industrialists have strongly criticized the recent hike in petrol and diesel prices, calling it contradictory to the government’s economic transformation agenda. They urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene and roll back the increases to align with the “Uraan Pakistan” initiative. As per a notification by the finance ministry, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) was raised by Rs2.96…
Read MoreEra of Russian Gas to Europe Ends as Ukraine Transit Stops
MOSCOW: Russian gas exports through Soviet-era pipelines via Ukraine officially ceased on New Year’s Day, marking a historic end to Moscow’s decades-long dominance over Europe’s energy supply. The gas flow, which persisted even amidst nearly three years of war, stopped at 0500 GMT after Ukraine declined to renew a transit agreement, according to Russian energy giant Gazprom. While the halt…
Read MoreGovt Pushes for Energy-Efficient Building Codes to Combat Energy Crisis
Islamabad: The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has urged all provinces to implement the revised Energy Conservation Building Code-2023 (ECBC-2023) to address Pakistan’s escalating energy crisis. In a letter dated January 1, 2025, Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari emphasized the critical role of energy-efficient building designs in reducing the nation’s power consumption, which is predominantly driven…
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