Year: 2025

Pakistan is emerging as a potential beneficiary of the global race for critical minerals, as growing US interest in antimony brings renewed focus to the country’s largely untapped mining sector, according to a report by the Financial Times. Long perceived mainly as a supplier of raw ore to Chinese buyers, Pakistan is now drawing attention from US defence-linked companies seeking to diversify supply chains away from China. Antimony — a silvery-white metal used in missiles, batteries and flame retardants — has become increasingly strategic amid concerns over Beijing’s dominance of…

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will import 88 liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from Qatar in 2026, of which 24 cargoes will be diverted to the international market under the Annual Delivery Plan (ADP) agreed with Doha, according to official documents. The diversions will take place under the Net Proceeds Differential (NPD) clause. However, the government has decided not to divert any LNG cargoes in January and February 2026 due to peak winter demand. In January, Pakistan will receive 11 LNG cargoes from Qatar and one cargo from Italy’s ENI, taking the total…

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plans to privatise 25 state-owned entities following the divestment of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), with long-term concession agreements planned for Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore airports instead of outright sales, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation and Chairman of the Privatisation Commission Muhammad Ali said on Monday. In an interview, Mr Ali said the next phase of privatisation would include State Life Insurance Company, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), House Building Finance Corporation (HBFC) and nine power distribution companies (Discos). Each entity will be offered through separate bidding…

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LAHORE: The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) completed major development and system upgrade projects worth Rs3.723 billion during 2025, aimed at strengthening the power distribution network, reducing line losses and ensuring an uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers. According to figures released by LESCO’s Planning and Development (P&D) Department, the company implemented a wide range of Energy Loss Reduction (ELR) and Development of Power Distribution (DOP) projects at both high-tension (HT) and low-tension (LT) levels. At the HT level, LESCO completed 97 energy loss reduction projects and 19 power distribution schemes…

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ISLAMABAD: The government is considering imposing taxes on imported electric vehicles (EVs) to help curb the transport sector’s $9 billion import bill, while offering minimal or zero taxation on locally manufactured EVs, the Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production was informed on Monday. The meeting, chaired by Senator Khalida Ateeb and attended by Senators Danesh Kumar and Syed Masroor Ahsan, was briefed by officials from the Ministry of Industries and Production and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). According to a statement issued by the Senate Secretariat, officials said…

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