IMF: Misplaced expectations?

Prime Minister Imran Khan while remarking on (the United Nations Development Programme’s) UNDP’s Pakistan National Human Development Report stated it is time for a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) package given the economic disruptions ahead due to a “very scary” third wave of Covid-19. These sentiments, be they coincidental or by design, mirror the sentiments expressed in a report titled…

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Unlocking Pakistan’s destiny — One SMB at a time

As a nation, Pakistan reigns as master of its potential yet buckles in the face of prevailing challenges. The country is confronted by uncertain geo-political realities. It shares borders with nations that are home to the second- and third-largest defence budgets globally, while the world’s lone superpower and biggest military spender retains key interests in the region. Closer to home,…

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Fuel adjustments remain high

Another 64 paisas per unit gets added to the monthly Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) for February 2021. This takes the average monthly adjustment in FY21 so far to 82 paisas per unit, of Rs1 per unit sought originally. February is historically the month with lowest electricity demand, and invariably the month with least economic merit order violations. Low power demand,…

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Power division asked for cost-effective solution to pensions

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet on Wednesday directed the power division to deliberate further and present options for cost optimisation regarding pension liabilities of surplus employees of closed power plants. Power division presented a summary for a one-time grant to power generation companies for onward payment to distribution companies regarding the actuarial value of pension and…

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Despite ‘no objection’ from NAB: Bureaucracy refuses to execute revised deals with IPPs

ISLAMABAD: After the NAB letter to the Power Division which says the government has the full authority to execute its revised deals with IPPs, the top bureaucracy of both the power and finance divisions is not ready to implement the altered contracts, arguing the anti-graft body didn’t so far validate the process of negotiations and agreements inked with the IPPs.…

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‘Banning of gas supply to Sindh’s industries deplored

Sindh Industries and Commerce Minister Jam Ikramullah Dharejo has deplored the federal government’s decision to ban the supply of gas to Sindh’s industries and termed it a prejudiced move. “We strongly condemn the Centre’s biased attitude,” he said while speaking to the media in Hyderabad on Wednesday. He reiterated that Sindh accounts for 70 per cent of Pakistan’s total gas…

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Power firms get 64-paisa tariff hike for February

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday notified about 64 paisa per unit increase in electricity rates for ex-Wapda distribution companies (Discos) to generate about Rs4.4 billion additional revenue for the troubled power sector. The increase was allowed on account of monthly fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for electricity consumed in February. This would be charged to consumers…

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