Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed that the privatisation of loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) remains a top priority of the government, describing the planned sale of 75 per cent shares of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) as the first step in a broader reform agenda. Chairing a high-level meeting on the affairs of the Privatisation Commission at the Prime Minister’s House, the prime minister directed that the pace of reforms within the Commission be further accelerated to ensure greater efficiency, transparency and credibility in the privatisation process. The meeting was…
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Committee Proposes 5% Voluntary Ethanol Blending with Petrol
ISLAMABAD: A committee constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recommended the introduction of 5 per cent voluntary ethanol blending with petrol, subject to commercial viability and consultations with oil marketing companies (OMCs). Headed by Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, the committee was tasked with examining fuel-blending options. It has submitted its report to the Prime Minister’s Office, which has asked the panel to present its findings to the deputy prime minister. According to oil industry officials, Pakistan’s current ethanol production from sugarcane crushing stands at around 400,000 to…
Read MoreNepra Report Highlights Safety and Governance Gaps in Public-Sector DISCOs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s power distribution sector continues to make uneven progress on health, safety and environmental (HSE) standards, according to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s (Nepra) HSE Performance Evaluation Report for fiscal year 2024-25. The report identifies persistent weaknesses among several public-sector distribution companies (DISCOs). Lahore, Quetta and Hyderabad electricity supply companies were rated in the “fair” category, reflecting deficiencies in safety governance, contractor oversight and the on-ground implementation of safety procedures. Islamabad, Peshawar and Sukkur power utilities were assessed as “good,” but showed inconsistent performance across key indicators, suggesting…
Read More220kV SEZ Grid Station Energised at Quaid-i-Azam Business Park, Sheikhupura
LAHORE: The National Grid Company of Pakistan (NGC), formerly the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC), on Tuesday energised the 220kV Quaid-i-Azam Business Park Grid Station in Sheikhupura, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the country’s power transmission infrastructure. The strategically located grid station has been developed to meet the growing electricity needs of large-scale industrial consumers operating within the Sheikhupura Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Completed at a cost of over Rs4 billion, the project was financed by the federal government under the Cash Deposit Loan (CDL) Facility and is…
Read MoreTrump Says Venezuela to Hand Over Up to 50 Million Barrels of Oil to US
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Venezuela’s interim government will deliver between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, with the proceeds to be managed under his authority as president. In a social media post, Trump said the oil—described as “sanctioned oil”—would be sold at market prices and that the revenue would be controlled by him to ensure it is used “to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.” He added that US Energy Secretary Chris Wright would oversee the execution…
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