Year: 2026

KARACHI: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has approved the export of 100,000 metric tonnes of furnace oil by Pak-Arab Refinery Limited during June 2026, subject to domestic supply conditions, according to an official communication. The approval was granted by the National Committee on Monitoring of Commodities (NCMC) during a recent meeting. Under the decision, PARCO is permitted to export 100,000 tonnes of furnace oil, with a permissible variation of plus or minus 10 percent, provided that local demand requirements are fully met. OGRA has also directed the refinery…

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KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister for Information and Transport Sharjeel Inam Memon has stated that the provincial government has no responsibility for Karachi’s ongoing gas, electricity, and water shortages, terming criticism from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) as “politically motivated.” In a statement issued on Monday, Memon said that the gas supply system falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government, while electricity distribution—managed through K-Electric—is also outside the administrative control of the Sindh government. He added that the water crisis in Karachi is linked to a province-wide shortage, with Sindh…

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ISLAMABAD: European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has described Pakistan as a “major regional partner” and an “important partner for the European Union,” highlighting Islamabad’s diplomatic role in easing regional tensions, including efforts to prevent escalation between Iran and the United States. Kallas made the remarks during her first official visit to Pakistan, where she co-chaired the 8th round of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. She also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army…

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ISLAMABAD: Trade and shipping activity at Gwadar Port has witnessed a notable increase, with port utilization reaching approximately 30 percent amid shifting regional trade dynamics and growing interest in alternative logistics corridors following tensions in the Middle East. Recent geopolitical developments have highlighted Gwadar’s strategic location outside the Strait of Hormuz, positioning the deep-sea port as a potential gateway for regional trade, energy transit, and connectivity between South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. During the recent regional conflict, disruptions in maritime traffic left hundreds of vessels stranded…

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KARACHI: The long-awaited K-IV water supply project, envisioned as a lifeline for millions of Karachi residents facing chronic water shortages, is once again facing significant delays, with officials now indicating that completion is unlikely before 2029. Originally conceived more than two decades ago to address Karachi’s growing water crisis, the mega project was expected to substantially increase the city’s water supply by transporting water from Keenjhar Lake. However, repeated design revisions, administrative challenges, funding complexities, and rising costs have slowed progress considerably. According to senior officials of the Karachi Water…

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