Year: 2025

Conflict of Interest Concerns Cloud Ogra Appointment Process

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OGRA

ISLAMABAD: The federal government’s move to appoint a new Member (Gas) to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has raised concerns over a potential conflict of interest, officials at the Petroleum Division confirmed. Three candidates have been shortlisted, including a serving Senior General Manager at Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) — a company directly regulated by Ogra. Critics argue that such selections undermine the regulator’s independence. Similar objections were raised earlier when a senior official from Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) was appointed as Ogra’s Member (Finance). Former…

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Floods Inflict Rs500bn Losses; Govt Announces Power Bill Waiver, Relief Measures

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LAHORE/ISLAMABAD/SUKKUR: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday said the recent floods have inflicted an estimated Rs500 billion in losses, severely impacting Pakistan’s agriculture and economy. He emphasized that the government would pursue self-reliance rather than foreign aid to overcome the crisis. Speaking with experts, the minister noted that provincial agricultural officials have been called for consultations on rehabilitation. “The world did not fulfill its promises in 2022. This time, self-reliance is our priority,” he maintained. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a complete waiver…

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NEECA Pushes Hydroponics and Aquaponics to Tackle Climate and Resource Challenges

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New-NEECA

ISLAMABAD: With Pakistan’s agriculture sector under strain from climate change, dwindling water resources, and rising energy demand, the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) is turning to hydroponics and aquaponics as sustainable farming solutions. At a national dialogue titled “Powering Hydroponics Sustainability: Energy-Efficient Solutions, Climate Resilience, and Urban Agriculture,” experts, innovators, and policymakers gathered to discuss how advanced farming can strengthen climate resilience and conservation efforts. Participants included Dr. Arshad Nawaz Chaudhry (Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi), Fatima Rizwan (NDRMF), and entrepreneur Zarak Khan, among others. “Hydroponics saves water, saves…

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KP Voices Strong Reservations Over Proposed CTBCM Framework

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Dasu-Hydropower1

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has raised serious concerns over the federal government’s proposed Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM) framework, terming it detrimental to the province’s hydropower potential and long-term energy plans. Officials argued that the framework was designed without provincial consultation and warned it could undermine KP’s ability to harness its natural energy resources. To formalize its stance, the provincial government held a consultative session with the support of ISMO, led by Executive Director Umar Haroon Malik. The meeting was attended by representatives of PEDO, FF Steel…

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Oil Prices Steady as Attacks on Russian Energy Sites Stir Supply Concerns

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Oil-prices

SINGAPORE: Oil prices held firm on Monday as investors weighed the potential fallout from Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries and export terminals, while also monitoring U.S. fuel demand trends. Brent crude futures rose 3 cents to $67.02 a barrel by 0009 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 8 cents to $62.77. Both benchmarks advanced over 1% last week as Ukraine intensified strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure, including the Primorsk oil terminal, Russia’s largest crude export hub, and the Kirishi refinery, one of its biggest processing facilities. Analysts…

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