Author: Admin

Pakistan’s Solar Boom Sparks Tensions with Debt-Strapped Government

Admin
solar energy

ISLAMABAD: Rooftop solar has become a vital lifeline for millions of Pakistanis grappling with soaring power bills and frequent blackouts. But the rapid shift to clean energy is now straining the government’s ability to repay mounting power sector debts, Bloomberg reported Friday. Pakistan’s power model relies on buying electricity from generators and selling it to consumers. Yet chronic inefficiencies mean sales are made at a loss — a problem worsened as households and businesses increasingly generate their own power. Declining collections threaten repayments to key creditors, including China. In response,…

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Pakistan’s Trade Deficit Soars 46% in September to $3.3bn as Imports Rise, Exports Shrink

Admin
Pakistan-Trade

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s trade deficit widened sharply by nearly 46% year-on-year in September 2025, hitting $3.34 billion as imports surged and exports contracted, raising fresh concerns over external sector stability. According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data, imports climbed 14% to $5.85 billion, while exports fell 11.7% to $2.5 billion compared with the same month last year. On a monthly basis, the deficit expanded 16.3% versus August. For the first quarter of FY26 (July–September), the trade gap rose 32.9% to $9.37 billion. Imports during the three months stood at $16.97…

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PESCO Fires Suspended Chief Engineer Over DoB Tampering Allegations

Admin
New-Pesco

ISLAMABAD: The Board of Directors of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) has dismissed suspended Chief Engineer Tahir Moeen from service after an inquiry found him guilty of tampering with his date of birth records to unlawfully extend his service tenure. According to official documents, Moeen was issued a charge sheet under Rule 6 of the Pakistan WAPDA Employees E&D Rules, 1978, in July 2025. A Special Inquiry Committee was formed in August to investigate the charges, but despite repeated notices, the officer refused to appear before the panel. The committee…

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KE Refutes Subsidy Claims, Defends Efficiency in Tariff Review Hearing

Admin
K-Electric

ISLAMABAD: K-Electric (KE), Pakistan’s only privatised power utility, has rejected claims that it receives operational subsidies, insisting instead that the payments it receives are tariff differential claims under the government’s uniform tariff policy. Appearing before the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) during a hearing on a review motion filed by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), KE’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Aamir Ghaziani argued that the company’s generation cost is actually lower than the national grid if nuclear and hydropower are excluded. He explained that NEPRA determines…

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IMF Brings Reko Diq Mining Project Under Its Review Amid Bailout Talks

Admin
IMF-Reko

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expanded the scope of its ongoing discussions with Pakistan to include the multibillion-dollar Reko Diq mining project, signaling a rare move by the lender to scrutinize a commercial venture beyond its traditional balance-of-payments oversight. Sources confirmed that the IMF has asked the government to provide a detailed briefing on the project’s latest status. Initially scheduled for this week, the session has now been shifted to next week. The IMF mission, in Islamabad since September 25, is conducting the second review of Pakistan’s $7…

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