Day: October 16, 2024

OMAP Criticizes Proposed OMC Margin as ‘Inadequate’

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Oil-Price

LAHORE: The Oil Marketing Association of Pakistan (OMAP) has called on the Ministry of Petroleum to intervene regarding the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority’s (Ogra) proposed revisions to oil marketing companies’ (OMCs) margins, which it deems insufficient for the industry’s sustainability. OMAP Chairperson Tariq Wazir Ali expressed concern over the proposed margin increase, stating that it does not account for the rising operational costs, foreign exchange losses, and pending tax refunds faced by OMCs. He warned that the current margin structure threatens the sector’s financial viability and limits critical investments…

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PSO Board Enforces Code to Prevent Corruption

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PSO-Head

ISLAMABAD: In accordance with the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Act 2023, Pakistan State Oil’s (PSO) Board of Management (BoM) has implemented a stringent code of conduct aimed at curbing corrupt practices, accepting gifts, and leaking sensitive information, a senior Petroleum Division official informed The News. All bureaucrats serving on the PSO board have signed the code, and violations could lead to legal action by the FIA or NAB, according to official documents. The code ensures transparency, accountability, and good governance. It prohibits bribery, payoffs, and conflicts of interest, while enforcing strict…

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OCAC Chairman Urges Government to Resolve Sales Tax and Smuggling Issues to Safeguard Pakistan’s Refinery Sector

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New-OCAC

Islamabad, October 16, 2024 – Adil Khattak, Chairman of the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), has called on the government to urgently address key challenges facing Pakistan’s downstream oil sector, warning that unresolved issues threaten the country’s refinery operations and long-term energy security. In an exclusive Q&A with Energy Update, Khattak highlighted the immediate need for government intervention to resolve the sales tax exemption on petroleum products and curb smuggling from Iran. Khattak emphasized the critical impact of the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) decision through the Finance Act, 2024,…

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Host Country Approval for New Investor in 100MW MIRA Power Project Nears Finalization: PPIB

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Power-Project

ISLAMABAD: The government is set to grant Host Country Approval for amended guarantee coverage in favor of a new investor for the 100MW MIRA Power Limited hydropower project in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), sources from the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) revealed. At a recent PPIB meeting, Managing Director Shah Jahan Mirza briefed attendees on the exit of one of MIRA Power’s shareholders, Sambu Construction, and the upcoming transfer of DAELIM’s shareholding to its affiliate, DL E&C. The Power Division and other key ministries are currently reviewing the…

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Govt Proposes ‘Take and Pay’ Options for 18 IPPs Amid Power Sector Reforms

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New-IPPS

ISLAMABAD: The government has tailored four customized ‘take and pay’ options for 18 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) established under the Power Generation Policies of 1994 and 2002, as part of its ongoing efforts to reform the power sector. According to sources, these options will be finalized by the end of the week, with formal notices expected to be issued next week. The Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guaranteed (CPPA-G) has already halted payments to these IPPs, which collectively generate 4,267 MW, pending negotiations on their contract revisions. Some IPPs have already consented…

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