Day: July 18, 2025

Diesel Imports Surge Despite Sufficient Local Refinery Capacity

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petrol-price

KARACHI: Pakistan imported 2.03 million metric tonnes (MT) of high-speed diesel (HSD) during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025—200,000 MT more than the previous year—despite ample domestic refining capacity, prompting concerns of over-importation. Industry stakeholders have flagged the increase as unnecessary, noting that local refineries can meet 60–65% of the country’s diesel needs. According to sector data, the highest monthly import—306,000 MT—occurred in December, even though local production and PSO’s long-term import agreements were sufficient to meet demand. Sources alleged that a specific oil marketing company (OMC) was allowed…

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Marine Pollution Poses Grave Threat to Pakistan’s Blue Economy, Warns Maritime Minister

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marine-pollution

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has sounded the alarm over the escalating marine pollution crisis, warning that it endangers Pakistan’s blue economy by threatening biodiversity, fisheries, tourism, and public health. Chairing a long-overdue meeting of the Marine Pollution Control Board, the minister expressed concern over a 15-year lapse in board sessions and directed regular meetings going forward. He also announced the formation of two committees to submit reports within 20 days on the Sewage Treatment Plant-III (STP-III) and Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) projects, both…

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Reko Diq Pays Over \$28 Million to Balochistan in Taxes, Royalties, and Community Investment

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Reko-Diq

QUETTA: Reko Diq Mining Corporation (RDMC) has contributed over \$28 million to the Balochistan government in the form of taxes, royalties, and community development initiatives, company officials revealed during a media briefing on the project’s progress. According to RDMC Communications Manager Samia Ali Shah, the payments—tallied up to June 2025—include \$17.5 million in royalties, approximately \$3.8 million in taxes collected on behalf of employees and third parties, and \$7.2 million in community investment. Ms. Shah noted that the Balochistan government holds a 25% stake in the project without any financial…

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Govt Considers Delinking Hydel Profit from Electricity Tariff to Ease Burden on Consumers

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Power-sector

ISLAMABAD: The Power Division has urged the federal government to delink Net Hydel Profit (NHP) payments from electricity tariffs, warning that passing on Rs170 billion in arrears to consumers would jeopardize power sector reforms and investor confidence. In a report submitted to the Council of Common Interests (CCI), the division proposed that NHP dues owed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab be settled through the federal budget or from WAPDA’s hydropower earnings, rather than being included in electricity bills. It noted that the existing tariff-based NHP model is outdated, fiscally unsustainable,…

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SSGC Approves Agreement with JJVL to Resume LPG, NGL Extraction Operations

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ssgc-ae

KARACHI: Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) has approved a key agreement with Jamshoro Joint Venture Limited (JJVL) to restart the extraction of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas liquids (NGL), the company announced in a filing to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday. The decision was taken at an SSGC Board of Directors meeting held on July 17, 2025, at the company’s head office. The agreement—initialled by both parties—has also been endorsed by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a federal body focused on boosting strategic investments.…

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