Year: 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has reaffirmed its commitment to support Pakistan’s transition toward solar energy and broader power sector reforms through financial and technical assistance. The assurance came during a meeting between a visiting ADB delegation, led by Country Director Emma Xiaoqin Fan, and Federal Power Minister Sardar Owais Ahmed Khan Leghari ahead of the bank’s vice president’s expected visit later this month. According to the Power Division, ADB is currently conducting studies on the impact of rooftop solar systems and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Pakistan.…

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ISLAMABAD: Petrol pump owners and dealers on Tuesday urged the government to immediately revise their commission in line with recent fuel price hikes, warning of a possible nationwide shutdown if their demands are not met. The All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) and Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) called for increasing their margin to 8% of the invoice price, arguing that the current fixed profit of Rs8 per litre is no longer sufficient to sustain operations amid rising costs. Speaking at a press conference, PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan…

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KARACHI: The online fuel subsidy portal for motorcyclists in Sindh was temporarily shut down following repeated hacking attempts, Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla confirmed on Tuesday. The portal, launched a day earlier by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, enables registered motorcyclists to receive a monthly fuel subsidy of Rs2,000 by submitting their CNIC and bank account details online. However, thousands of users reported difficulties accessing the system, citing prolonged downtime and registration issues. Addressing a press conference, the minister stated that the disruption was caused by cyberattacks targeting the…

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ISLAMABAD: The government has disbursed Rs1.2 billion among more than 32,000 beneficiaries in the first phase of the Prime Minister’s Fuel Package 2026, providing financial relief to transport sector stakeholders amid rising fuel costs. The funds were transferred digitally through Easypaisa, ensuring fast, secure, and transparent delivery of assistance to operators of buses, trucks, long-haul vehicles, and delivery vans nationwide. Officials noted that Easypaisa is the first digital wallet facilitating direct transfers to truck operators, with plans to expand coverage to tank lorries, buses, and motorcycle users in the coming…

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed that Pakistan has not faced any electricity shortages nor disruption in exports despite oil supply challenges triggered by the ongoing Gulf tensions. Chairing a high-level meeting on long-term energy planning and export strategy, the prime minister said the country’s growing reliance on renewable energy has helped maintain stability in the power sector. “Despite disruptions in oil supply caused by regional tensions, no electricity crisis has emerged,” he noted, adding that solar and other renewable sources are shaping the future of Pakistan’s energy…

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