Author: Admin

Govt Imposes Rs1,243/MMBTU Levy on Off-Grid Captive Power Plants for December 2025

Admin
Power-Plant

ISLAMABAD: The Petroleum Division on Tuesday announced a new levy of Rs1,243 per million British thermal units (mmbtu) on off-grid captive power plants (CPPs) for December 2025. According to an official notification, the levy has been imposed under Section 3 of the Off-grid (Captive Power Plants) Levy Act 2025, enacted earlier this year by Parliament. The measure applies to natural gas and RLNG consumed by captive power plants operating outside the national grid. The government aims to generate Rs105 billion in revenue from the levy during fiscal year 2025–26. As…

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International Atomic Energy Agency Designates Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology as Collaborating Centre

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New-IAEA

ISLAMABAD: In a significant development for Pakistan’s healthcare and nuclear medicine sector, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has designated the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL), Lahore, as an IAEA Collaborating Centre, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Tuesday. The designation was formalized during a special ceremony held at the United Nations Office at Vienna, where Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar signed the “Collaborating Centre Agreement” on behalf of INMOL with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. Following the signing,…

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Iran says progress made in nuclear talks with U.S. after partial closure of Strait of Hormuz

Admin

U.S. military preparing for potential operations against Iran if Trump orders attack: sourcesIran and the United States reached an understanding on Tuesday on main “guiding principles” in talks aimed at resolving their longstanding nuclear dispute, but that does not mean a deal is imminent, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said. Oil futures fell and the benchmark Brent crude contract tumbled more than one per cent after Aragchi’s comments, which helped ease fears of conflict in the region, where the U.S. has deployed a battle force to press Tehran for concessions. “Different ideas…

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Banks to close for public dealing on 1st Ramadan

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Banks to close for public dealing on 1st Ramadan

February 17, 2026 (MLN): The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has declared a Bank Holiday on the 1st of Ramadan-ul-Mubarak, 1447 A.H., designated for the purpose of Zakat deduction. In a circular addressed to the Presidents and Chief Executives of all Banks, DFIs, and MFBs, the central bank confirmed that it will remain closed for public dealing. All commercial banks, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and Microfinance Banks (MFBs) across the country are directed to follow suit and suspend public-facing operations on that day. However, the holiday will not affect internal operations. All bank…

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Pakistan reaffirms nuclear cooperation with IAEA

Admin
IAEA

February 17, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to the peaceful and responsible use of nuclear technology, emphasizing its continued focus on harnessing nuclear science for socio-economic development and public welfare. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) , Rafael Mariano Grossi, at the Vienna International Centre. Both sides discussed cooperation in cancer diagnosis and treatment, agriculture, nuclear power generation and industrial applications, while the IAEA chief praised Pakistan’s expertise in nuclear safety and security and welcomed its expected participation in the Nuclear Energy…

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