Pakistan’s Nuclear Power Capacity Reaches 3,530MW Across Two Sites

Power-Plants

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s total nuclear power generation capacity has reached 3,530 megawatts (MW), with six operational nuclear power plants located at two major sites, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25. The Chashma Nuclear Power Generating Station (CNPGS), situated near Mianwali, consists of four units — C-1, C-2, C-3, and C-4 — with a combined capacity of 1,330 MW. The Karachi Nuclear Power Station (KNPGS), located on the Karachi coast, comprises two advanced generation-III units — K-2 and K-3 — with a total capacity of 2,200 MW. Pakistan’s first nuclear power plant,…

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Electricity Consumption Drops 3.6% in Jul–Mar FY25 Amid Rising Tariffs, Solar Shift

Power

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s electricity consumption fell by 3.6% during the first nine months (July–March) of FY2024–25, reaching 80,111 GWh compared to 83,109 GWh in the same period last year, according to the Economic Survey 2024–25. The decline is attributed to subdued industrial activity, elevated power tariffs, energy conservation drives, and increased adoption of off-grid solar solutions. Despite the overall decline, the household sector’s share rose to 49.6% (39,728 GWh), reflecting steady residential demand, while industrial consumption dipped to 21,082 GWh, down from 22,031 GWh. Electricity use in agriculture dropped sharply by…

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Rs17.6 Trillion Federal Budget 2025–26 to Be Unveiled Today

Buget-25-26

ISLAMABAD: The federal government will unveil the Rs17.6 trillion Budget 2025–26 in the National Assembly today, with Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb set to present the financial plan and deliver his second budget speech. The Finance Bill 2024 will also be laid before the Senate, as mandated under Article 73 of the Constitution. According to official sources, the government anticipates gross federal revenues of Rs19.4 trillion, with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) tasked with collecting Rs14,130 billion in taxes. The target includes Rs6,450 billion in direct taxes, Rs4,900 billion…

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Development Banks Commit €3 Billion to Combat Ocean Plastic by 2030

plastic-pollution

NICE, FRANCE: A coalition of major development banks has pledged at least €3 billion (\$3.4 billion) by 2030 to fight ocean plastic pollution, in what remains the world’s largest coordinated initiative to tackle the crisis. The announcement coincides with the launch of the second phase of the Clean Oceans Initiative (COI) at a UN conference in Nice. Led by the European Investment Bank (EIB) alongside French, German, Spanish, and Italian development banks and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the COI aims to stem the rising tide of…

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US-China Trade Talks Resume in London Amid Rare Earths Dispute

US-China

LONDON: Senior US and Chinese officials convened in London on Monday in a bid to ease escalating trade tensions that now threaten to disrupt global supply chains, particularly over the export of rare earth minerals. The high-stakes dialogue, held at Lancaster House, marks a follow-up to last month’s preliminary trade agreement in Geneva, which temporarily cooled tensions between the two powers. However, US officials have since accused Beijing of stalling on its commitments—especially regarding the shipment of rare earths, critical for electric vehicles, semiconductors, and defense equipment. White House economic…

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