Day: October 31, 2026

ISLAMABAD: K-Electric (KE) has sought regulatory approval to retain its 210-megawatt Unit 5 at Bin Qasim Power Station-I (BQPS-I) as a secondary reserve until June 30, 2030, despite the plant’s age and lack of installed emission-control equipment. The 35-year-old Hitachi unit, commissioned in 1991, can operate on natural gas, furnace oil and imported liquefied natural gas (LNG). Under KE’s proposal, it would primarily remain on standby and operate during emergencies or when its generation is considered more economical than available alternatives. The utility has argued that retaining the unit is…

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has introduced the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Senate, proposing a quarterly gas pricing mechanism to ensure timely tariff adjustments and prevent the accumulation of circular debt in the natural gas sector. The bill was introduced by State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry during the final day of the Senate’s 364th session on Friday, chaired by Presiding Officer Shahadat Awan in the absence of Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani and Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan. Following its introduction, the proposed legislation was…

ISLAMABAD: K-Electric Limited (KE) has sought approval from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to retain Unit-5 of its Bin Qasim Power Station-I (BQPS-I) as a secondary reserve until 2030, citing rising electricity demand, geopolitical uncertainties and growing concerns over fuel supply security. Nepra has issued a public notice inviting comments from stakeholders, interested parties and the general public on KE’s proposed modification to its generation licence under Regulation 10 of the Nepra Licensing (Application, Modification, Extension and Cancellation) Procedure Regulations, 2021. In its application, KE stated that electricity…

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a pre-event briefing on the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 (PMIF26) on Friday, bringing together ambassadors and diplomats based in the federal capital. The session was opened by Ambassador Abrar Hashmi, Additional Secretary (SIFC & ED). Mirza Nasir ud Din Mashood Ahmed, Special Secretary Petroleum Division, Ahmed Hayat Lak, Managing Director of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), and their respective teams briefed the participants. The briefing provided an overview of PMIF26, including its concept, key thematic sessions, programme outline, venue, registration…