CCP Launches Study to Identify Barriers Hindering Solar Energy Growth in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) is initiating a comprehensive study to examine the country’s solar energy market, focusing on challenges such as grid capacity constraints and barriers that may be slowing the adoption of solar power across Pakistan. Conducted under Section 28(b) of the Competition Act, 2010, the research will be carried out through CCP’s Centre of Excellence in Competition Law (CECL). The study aims to assess industry dynamics, identify regulatory and structural hurdles, and propose policy recommendations to foster a more competitive and efficient solar energy market.…

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China’s Five-Year Plan Offers Governance Model for Pakistan’s Development Vision

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ISLAMABAD: China’s remarkable success in implementing its Five-Year Plans serves as an inspiring governance model for Pakistan, which is formulating its own Uraan Five-Year Plan to accelerate economic growth and improve citizens’ welfare. These views were shared by Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong following the conclusion of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), held in Beijing from October 20 to 23. The session marked a key milestone in China’s journey toward socialist modernisation. Ambassador Jiang stated that both China and Pakistan…

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WB Revises Pakistan’s Growth Outlook Upward, Lowers Poverty Estimate

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ISLAMABAD: In a surprising revision, the World Bank has upgraded Pakistan’s GDP growth forecast to 3 per cent for the current fiscal year—up from its earlier estimate of 2.6 per cent—and reduced the national poverty rate to 22.5 per cent from last year’s 25.3 per cent, despite not incorporating the latest Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) data. The adjustments were revealed in the Pakistan Development Update 2025, released on Tuesday. The World Bank had previously projected 2.6pc growth in its regional outlook on October 7, citing the lingering economic effects…

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NEPRA Slaps Rs110m Fines on Four Power Distribution Companies for Poor Performance

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ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed fines exceeding Rs110 million on four ex-Wapda power distribution companies (Discos) — Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), and Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) — for failing to meet performance benchmarks related to system losses, recoveries, and pole earthing standards. According to NEPRA’s official orders, fines were imposed as follows: Rs10 million on HESCO, Rs40 million on QESCO, Rs10 million on FESCO, and Rs51 million on GEPCO — the latter penalised…

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Gas Utilities Seek Tariff Hike to Cover Revenue Shortfalls and RLNG Costs

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s two major gas utilities — Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) — have sought significant increases in their prescribed gas prices, citing mounting revenue shortfalls and additional costs associated with imported RLNG diversion. SNGPL has proposed a 10.7 per cent hike, equivalent to Rs189 per million British thermal unit (mmBtu), raising the prescribed price from Rs1,766.50 to Rs1,955.50 per mmBtu for the current fiscal year. The Lahore-based utility reported a Rs53 billion revenue shortfall, alongside an Rs582 million subsidy for LPG…

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