Pakistan Refineries to Export 130,000 Tonnes of Furnace Oil in October

Refineries-Face

KARACHI: Three Pakistani refineries will export a combined 130,000 tonnes of furnace oil in October, following approval from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra). According to Ogra’s approval letter, Cnergyico Pakistan Limited (CPL) will ship 55,000 tonnes, Pak-Arab Refinery Limited (Parco) 50,000 tonnes, and Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) 25,000 tonnes. The move underscores a steep decline in domestic demand, with industry officials reporting that nearly 95% of furnace oil output is now exported. Average daily production stands at around 6,400 tonnes, translating to nearly 200,000 tonnes per month. Officials…

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Pakistan’s Solar Boom Sparks Tensions with Debt-Strapped Government

solar energy

ISLAMABAD: Rooftop solar has become a vital lifeline for millions of Pakistanis grappling with soaring power bills and frequent blackouts. But the rapid shift to clean energy is now straining the government’s ability to repay mounting power sector debts, Bloomberg reported Friday. Pakistan’s power model relies on buying electricity from generators and selling it to consumers. Yet chronic inefficiencies mean sales are made at a loss — a problem worsened as households and businesses increasingly generate their own power. Declining collections threaten repayments to key creditors, including China. In response,…

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Pakistan’s Trade Deficit Soars 46% in September to $3.3bn as Imports Rise, Exports Shrink

Pakistan-Trade

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s trade deficit widened sharply by nearly 46% year-on-year in September 2025, hitting $3.34 billion as imports surged and exports contracted, raising fresh concerns over external sector stability. According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data, imports climbed 14% to $5.85 billion, while exports fell 11.7% to $2.5 billion compared with the same month last year. On a monthly basis, the deficit expanded 16.3% versus August. For the first quarter of FY26 (July–September), the trade gap rose 32.9% to $9.37 billion. Imports during the three months stood at $16.97…

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PESCO Fires Suspended Chief Engineer Over DoB Tampering Allegations

New-Pesco

ISLAMABAD: The Board of Directors of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) has dismissed suspended Chief Engineer Tahir Moeen from service after an inquiry found him guilty of tampering with his date of birth records to unlawfully extend his service tenure. According to official documents, Moeen was issued a charge sheet under Rule 6 of the Pakistan WAPDA Employees E&D Rules, 1978, in July 2025. A Special Inquiry Committee was formed in August to investigate the charges, but despite repeated notices, the officer refused to appear before the panel. The committee…

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KE Refutes Subsidy Claims, Defends Efficiency in Tariff Review Hearing

K-Electric

ISLAMABAD: K-Electric (KE), Pakistan’s only privatised power utility, has rejected claims that it receives operational subsidies, insisting instead that the payments it receives are tariff differential claims under the government’s uniform tariff policy. Appearing before the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) during a hearing on a review motion filed by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), KE’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Aamir Ghaziani argued that the company’s generation cost is actually lower than the national grid if nuclear and hydropower are excluded. He explained that NEPRA determines…

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