Month: March 2020

In the light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the difficult situation that Karachi is faced with, the K-Electric has decided to extend further relief to the industrial sector by deferring the collection of the Industrial Support Package (ISPA) arrears till the end of April. According to a press statement issued by the power utility on Monday, the arrears, accordingly, will not be collected in the monthly bills till April 30. The KE, while reiterating its commitment to playing its due role in providing relief to consumers during these difficult…

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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has been requested through a petition to order the federal government to immediately declare a national public health emergency in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The federal government should also set up an emergency relief fund by utilising money received for construction of dams for curtailment of the virus, the petition suggested. The petition has been moved by some lawyers who are human rights activists, namely Rohail Kasi, Usama Khawar, Ammar Rashid, Makki Khan Vardag and Hassan Kamran. They alleged that the virus was rapidly…

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ISLAMABAD: In 2013, this writer wrote an article titled “Cheap gas and expensive fertiliser”. As the title implies, it seems to be related to the current situation as well. Some 85% of the cost of fertiliser production or more goes to the gas cost. High profits in the fertiliser sector are indicated by the earnings per share (EPS) of major companies that have risen to Rs13. Cheap gas, uncontrolled prices and taxation loopholes and changes provided such high profit opportunities. Fertiliser is on the agenda of the government these days and…

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In the wake of fast spreading coronavirus in the country, Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to announce a relief package for domestic consumers and industry today.    In Twitter posts, the Ministry of Energy said: “Due to Corona situation, the Federal Govt is working on a relief package in the Power Sector  for the businesses and the people of the entire country. On Monday a high level meeting is to be chaired by the Prime Minister in this regard”. “A lot of work is already going on in the…

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Lahore – March 21, 2020: WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain (Retd), in his message on the occasion of World Water Day to be observed on March 22, said climate change has been impacting the availability of surface water in Pakistan, as climate and water are inextricably interlinked. In order to tackle the adverse impact of climate change vis-à-vis water security in the country, a multi-pronged strategy needs to be devised at the national level. Dilating upon the grim water scenario, WAPDA Chairman said the per capita water availability in Pakistan…

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