Month: October 2020

As the cold dry winter approaches, citizens must brace themselves for yet another crisis. In a recent interview on BCC Urdu, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Babar asserted that Pakistan has minimal reserves that will only last the next 10 to 14 years. This single statement is greatly concerning, particularly because electricity generation also relies on natural gas. The crisis, therefore, as many have already predicted, is twofold — no gas and no electricity! Unfortunately, the concerned authorities are left with two options: either they invest…

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The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has notified revised gas sale price for domestic, commercial and industrial sectors, which would be effective from September 1. According to a notification dated October 23 released to the media on Monday, the authority has determined Rs121 per Million British Thermal Unit (MMBTU) for domestic consumers using up to 0.5hm3 (in cubic hectometers) gas per month, Rs300 per MMBTU for users of up to 1hm3, Rs553 per MMBTU for up to 2hm3, Rs738 on consumption of up to 3hm3, Rs1,107 and Rs1,460 per…

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ISLAMABAD: The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has found fault with the utilisation of almost Rs3 trillion public funds by the power division, involving huge irregularities, mismanagement, misappropriation and embezzlement. In its report for the audit year 2019-20 that has been laid before the National Assembly after a delay of almost eight months, the AGP also put question marks over sustainability of the power sector under the current state of affairs, governance shortcomings and weak financial and administrative controls. The audit is based on financial accounts for fiscal year 2018-19…

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Sukkur deputy commissioner (DC) Rana Adeel Taswar has directed the Sukkur Electric Power Supply Company (SEPCO) to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the month of Rabiul Awwal and asked taluka municipal administrations to ensure proper sanitation and availability of potable water to people attending processions. Sukkur DC was presiding over a meeting on Sunday to review security and other arrangements for Rabiul Awwal. He asked all the relevant authorities to facilitate organisers seeking permission to take out processions or hold Mehfil-e-Milad. He further directed additional commissioners to develop a liaison…

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The salaries and allowances paid by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to its chairman and four provincial members has soared by up to 551% in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 compared to what they received in the preceding year. The chairman received a sum of Rs9.97 million on account of managerial remuneration and other allowances in fiscal year (July-June) 2020 that was 551% higher than Rs1.53 million received in fiscal year 2019, according to Nepra’s Annual Report 2020, published this week. Accordingly, the chairman received remuneration…

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