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…
Read MoreCategory: Highlights
Ministry Flags Financial Mismanagement in Oil and Gas Sector, Highlights Circular Debt Crisis
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…
Read MoreNEPRA Demands Recovery Plan from TESCO Amid Tax Relief Withdrawal and Metering Issues
ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has sought a comprehensive recovery plan from the Tribal Areas Electricity Supply Company (TESCO) in anticipation of potential government withdrawal of tax exemptions for industrial consumers and the metering of domestic consumers. This inquiry arose during NEPRA’s review of TESCO’s five-year (2025-26 to 2029-30) Investment and Business Plan, which includes an approved…
Read MorePakistan Launches Ambitious “Uraan Pakistan” Initiative to Transform Economy
Islamabad, January 1, 2025 — Pakistan has officially unveiled the Uraan Pakistan initiative, an ambitious roadmap to propel the country towards becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2035 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047. Built on the transformative 5Es Framework, the initiative emphasizes five key pillars: Exports, E-Pakistan, Environment, Energy & Infrastructure, and Equity, Ethics & Empowerment. Prime Minister…
Read MoreTurkey Increases Fuel Tax by 6% Amid Inflation Control Efforts
ANKARA: Turkey has raised its special consumption tax on fuel by 6%, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday. The move comes as the government aims to manage inflation while maintaining fiscal stability. The tax adjustment, implemented every six months based on the producer price index (PPI), reflects a cumulative five-month PPI increase of 7.12%.…
Read MoreNEPRA Highlights Persistent Challenges in Pakistan’s Power Sector
ISLAMABAD: The State of the Industry Report 2024, released by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), reveals critical inefficiencies in Pakistan’s power sector, exacerbating high electricity costs and impacting consumers nationwide. Despite an installed generation capacity of 45,888 MW, underutilization remains a significant issue, with only 33.88% utilization recorded for FY 2023-24. Consumers bear the financial burden of 66.12%…
Read MoreUAE Envoy Highlights Vast Opportunities for Cooperation in Renewable Energy Sector
LAHORE: United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, emphasized the immense potential for collaboration between Pakistan and the UAE in the renewable energy sector. During a meeting with Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan at the Governor House, the two leaders discussed avenues for enhancing bilateral ties, particularly in economic and energy sectors. Ambassador Al Zaabi…
Read MoreJimmy Carter’s Visionary Leadership: The Birth of NREL and a Legacy of Solar Innovation
The staff of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) owes a lasting debt to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024. “President Carter was a visionary and a man of science who realized the potential of solar power and renewable energy,” NREL Director Martin Keller said. “The Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) began under his…
Read MoreChina Approves Construction of “Super Dam” on the Brahmaputra River, Leaving India Concerned
China has approved the construction of a “Super Dam” on the Brahmaputra River, a project poised to dwarf the Three Gorges Dam in power generation capacity. This mega-dam will reportedly produce an astonishing 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—three times more than the output of the Three Gorges Dam. The Yarlung Zangbo River, as it is known in Tibet, becomes…
Read MoreOil prices up on large draw from US crude stocks
NEW YORK: Oil prices settled more than 1% higher on Friday and recorded a weekly gain in low trading volume ahead of year-end, buoyed by a larger-than-expected drawdown from US crude inventories last week. Brent crude futures rose 91 cents, or 1.2%, to settle at $74.17 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 98 cents, or 1.4%, to…
Read More