Author: Admin

CM Punjab Launches Free Solar Panel Scheme for Energy Relief

Admin
CM-Punjab

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has unveiled a free Solar Panel Scheme aimed at reducing electricity costs for households across the province. Speaking at the launch, the Chief Minister announced that 100,000 homes will receive solar panel systems, with a total project cost of Rs10 billion. Eligible households consuming an average of 200 units of electricity per month on a single meter can apply. The solar systems, available in 550-watt and 1100-watt configurations, will be distributed through balloting in June 2025. “The initiative will bring substantial relief to…

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IMF Pushes for Levy on Captive Power Plants to Align Costs with Grid Power

Admin
New-IMF

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has demanded a substantial levy on gas supply to industrial captive power plants (CPPs) as part of Pakistan’s commitments under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The aim is to eliminate the cost advantage of in-house electricity generation over grid power. A structural benchmark under the EFF requires gas disconnections to CPPs by January 2025 to qualify for the second $1 billion tranche in March 2025. The IMF has rejected Pakistan’s plea to revise this benchmark, insisting instead on imposing an additional levy…

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Sindh Energy Minister Pledges Support to Thar Coal Project-Affected Communities

Admin
Thar-Coal

KARACHI: Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, during a meeting with a delegation of Thar Coal project-affected individuals on Friday, assured them of the government’s unwavering support in addressing their grievances. The delegation, comprising Bhim Raj, Leelaram, and other community representatives, raised concerns about employment, access to clean water, and basic amenities. Minister Shah reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to resolving these issues, emphasizing the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) focus on community welfare. “Our leadership, including PPP President Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Faryal Talpur, and the…

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Ministry Flags Financial Mismanagement in Oil and Gas Sector, Highlights Circular Debt Crisis

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oil-and-gas

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Finance has raised concerns over the poor financial management in Pakistan’s oil and gas sector, attributing it to the rising circular debt and operational inefficiencies. In its report, the ministry identified key weaknesses in the business strategies of major state-owned enterprises (SOEs), including Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL). Ineffective financial practices and delays in payments from other SOEs and customers have resulted in significant…

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China Faces Rise in Flu-Like Illnesses with Human Metapneumovirus Prominence

Admin
Flu-Like

BEIJING: Recent news reports and social media alerts have highlighted a potential outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China. However, Chinese officials have yet to confirm these claims. Instead, data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) up to the last week of 2024 indicates a surge in various flu-like illnesses across the country. The latest statistics reveal that influenza is the primary driver of the current outbreak, with 30.2 percent of tests returning positive—an increase of 6.2 percentage points from the previous week. Additionally, 17.7 percent…

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