Year: 2026

UAE’s Strategic Oil Pipeline Bypassing Strait of Hormuz Reaches 50% Completion

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DUBAI: A new crude oil pipeline being developed by the United Arab Emirates to bypass the Strait of Hormuz is now 50 per cent complete, according to ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber. The project, launched last year, is designed to strengthen the UAE’s export resilience by reducing dependence on the strategically sensitive waterway, through which a significant portion of global oil and gas supplies traditionally pass. Speaking at a live-streamed Atlantic Council event, Al Jaber said construction is being accelerated under directives from Abu Dhabi leadership. “Today, it’s already almost…

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Pakistan-China Ties ‘Never Faced an Autumn’ in 75 Years: Ahsan Iqbal

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said that Pakistan-China relations have remained consistently strong for the past 75 years, describing the partnership as one that has “never seen a moment of autumn” and continues to deepen on the basis of trust, cooperation and shared objectives. He made these remarks while addressing a cultural event held at the Pakistan-China Friendship Centre to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The event was jointly organised by the Diplomatic Insight Group (DIG)…

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Nepra Reviews $53bn Power Plan Amid Tariff Hike Concerns, Lack of Third-Party Validation

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ISLAMABAD: The government has sought approval from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for the Integrated System Plan (ISP) 2025–35, valued at over USD 53 billion, without third-party validation — triggering concerns over potential electricity tariff increases and criticism from industry stakeholders. The two-day public hearing, chaired by Nepra Chairman Waseem Mukhtar alongside Member (Tariff & Finance) Amina Ahmed and Member (Development) Maqsood Anwar Khan, also saw notable absences of representation from Sindh and Balochistan. Officials from the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) and the Private Power and…

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Pakistan Among Most Climate-Vulnerable Nations, Faces Heavy Economic Losses: SBP Report

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KARACHI: Pakistan remains one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries despite contributing only a minimal share to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to a detailed report released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in its half-yearly economic review. The report noted that climatic disasters in Pakistan during 2000-2024 were significantly higher than both global and regional averages, continuing a trend observed over the previous two decades. The SBP highlighted the country’s difficult balancing act of pursuing economic growth while simultaneously reducing its emission intensity. “Pakistan faces a particularly…

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IMF Concludes Pakistan Visit After Talks on Reforms, FY2027 Budget Strategy

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded its visit to Pakistan following discussions with federal and provincial authorities on economic reforms, fiscal targets, and the budget framework for FY2027 under the country’s ongoing IMF-supported programmes. In a statement issued early Thursday, the IMF said its mission visited Islamabad from May 13 to May 20 to review recent economic developments, implementation of reforms, and Pakistan’s budget strategy for the next fiscal year. The mission, led by Iva Petrova, held what it described as “constructive discussions” with Pakistani authorities on key economic…

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