Year: 2026

UK Raises Halmore Power Dispute with Pakistan Amid Ongoing Arbitration

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ISLAMABAD: The British High Commission has formally raised concerns over the ongoing dispute involving M/s Halmore Power Company, currently under international arbitration with the Government of Pakistan, sources told Business Recorder. The issue was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari and Sam Waldock, Development Director at the British High Commission. The discussions covered bilateral cooperation, investment climate, and the evolving regional geopolitical situation. According to an official statement, the UK side highlighted key investment-related concerns, including the Halmore case. The minister assured…

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Solar Net Metering Shields Pakistan from Daytime Blackouts Amid Deepening Energy Crisis

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ISLAMABAD: Solar net metering has emerged as a critical buffer against daytime power outages in Pakistan, helping the country navigate one of its most severe energy crises driven by fuel shortages and reduced hydropower generation. Despite a widening electricity shortfall, authorities have managed to avoid daytime loadshedding largely due to the growing contribution of distributed solar systems. With an estimated 8,000MW of installed net-metered capacity, solar users are injecting over 2,000MW into the grid during daylight hours—effectively saving the country from nearly four additional hours of loadshedding. Federal Minister for…

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Trump Signals Possible Islamabad Visit as Pakistan Leads Push for US–Iran Deal

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WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has hinted at a possible visit to Islamabad if a final peace agreement between the United States and Iran is successfully concluded there, expressing optimism over ongoing negotiations. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “If a deal is signed in Islamabad, I may go. They want me,” indicating confidence in Pakistan’s role as a key mediator in the talks. He claimed that Tehran had accepted “almost everything” under negotiation, though he reiterated Washington’s demand for the dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear programme. Trump…

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Court Bans Tree Cutting in Islamabad; Violations to Be Treated as Contempt

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ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has issued a strong directive against tree cutting in the federal capital, declaring that felling even a single tree within Islamabad’s limits will be treated as contempt of court. The order was issued by Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro during the hearing of a case related to large-scale tree cutting in the city. Addressing the counsel for the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the judge warned that any officer found involved in tree cutting would face contempt proceedings. Expressing serious concern over the CDA’s conduct, Justice Soomro…

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Temporary Loadshedding Due to LNG Disruption; Crisis Expected to Ease Soon: Energy Minister

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, has stated that the ongoing loadshedding in the country is temporary and primarily caused by the suspension of imported gas since April 1. He expressed optimism that the situation will improve within the next few days. Addressing a press conference, the minister apologized for loadshedding during peak hours and said the government is committed to transparently sharing facts with the public. He explained that electricity generation from gas is not feasible during peak hours under the current constraints. Leghari noted…

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