Day: July 24, 2026

KARACHI: The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has handed over $7.6 million worth of water supply and sanitation infrastructure to the Public Health Engineering Departments of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), introducing solar-powered systems designed to reduce long-term operating costs and improve access to clean water in underserved communities. Funded by the United States Department of State, the initiative includes six drinking water supply schemes, more than 40 kilometres of water distribution pipelines, and over 1,300 water collection points across Umerkot district in Sindh and Tank district in…

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ISLAMABAD: South Korea’s state-owned Korea South-East Power Co. Ltd. (KOEN) has appealed directly to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alleging that nearly $1 billion worth of planned hydropower investments in Pakistan has been unfairly stalled due to prolonged regulatory delays. In a letter addressed to the prime minister, KOEN President and CEO Kim Min Young expressed frustration over what he described as years of procedural delays despite the company fulfilling all regulatory and contractual requirements for its two hydropower projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. KOEN, a subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation…

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KARACHI: K-Electric (KE) recorded its highest-ever industrial electricity consumption in fiscal year 2025-26, with industrial feeders supplying 6.08 billion units (kWh) of electricity, reflecting stronger industrial activity and the country’s improving economic performance. According to K-Electric, the milestone coincided with Pakistan’s 3.7% GDP growth during FY26, underscoring the close relationship between reliable electricity supply and industrial expansion. KE Chief Executive Officer Syed Muhammad Taha said the utility has been providing loadshedding-exempt power supply to industrial consumers since 2013 and remains committed to supporting the sector through a dependable and sustainable…

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NEW YORK: Global oil prices climbed above $100 per barrel on Thursday for the first time in nearly two months after Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, intensifying concerns over global crude supply disruptions amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose $6.59 (7%) to $100.66 per barrel, marking its highest level since late May and extending its monthly gain to nearly 40%. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $5.45 (6.3%) to $92.28…

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LAHORE: Divisions within Pakistan’s petroleum dealers’ community significantly weakened the impact of a nationwide strike on Thursday, as the majority of petrol pumps across major cities remained operational despite calls for a countrywide shutdown. Later in the evening, the All Pakistan Petroleum Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) officially deferred the strike for 15 days after successful negotiations with the federal government. In a video message, APPPOA Vice Chairman Noman Butt announced that the government had agreed to move a summary within the next 15 days to implement the long-pending increase in…

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