Author: Admin

ISLAMABAD: The Power Division is moving forward with the appointment of a new Board of Directors (BoD) for Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) after prolonged delays, while the process for Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) continues to face uncertainty. According to officials, both Sindh-based distribution companies have been operating without reconstituted boards since the expiry of their three-year tenures on September 2, 2025. The delay, largely attributed to political factors, has drawn criticism, particularly as both utilities remain among the poorest performers in terms of losses and recovery. Operating under…

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ISLAMABAD: Facing strong public backlash over the sharp rise in fuel prices, the government has rolled out a targeted subsidy for public transport, aiming to cushion the impact on commuters and control inflation. Speaking at a joint press conference, IT and Telecom Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced that trucks, buses, and other public service vehicles have started receiving the subsidy with immediate effect. She said the initiative, originally planned for later implementation, was expedited on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif due to the urgency of the situation. The…

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KARACHI: Despite evolving policies around net metering and rising installation costs, rooftop solar systems continue to attract strong interest in urban Pakistan, driven largely by soaring electricity and fuel prices. On a typical sunny day in Karachi, residents like Ali Hassan monitor their solar generation through in-home inverters, reflecting a growing shift toward energy self-reliance. While earlier expectations included selling excess electricity to the grid, recent policy changes have made such returns less certain. According to the Alternative Energy Development Board and market estimates, demand for distributed solar systems remains…

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KARACHI: Electric bike assemblers have increased prices by Rs5,000 in response to surging demand driven by rising petrol costs, signaling a growing shift toward alternative mobility solutions. Industry players attribute the price hike to escalating sea freight charges, higher logistics expenses for transporting imported components from Karachi port to manufacturing units, and increased transportation costs due to expensive diesel. While some assemblers implemented revised prices from April 3, others are set to follow from April 10. Following the adjustment, e-bike prices now range between Rs125,000 and Rs350,000, depending on battery…

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ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on Pakistan to swiftly eliminate distortions in petroleum pricing, despite acknowledging the government’s Rs152 billion subsidy cap introduced during a period of global oil market volatility. According to senior officials, the staff-level agreement reached on March 29 remains intact, with the subsidy implemented in consultation with the Fund. However, the IMF has reiterated its opposition to blanket subsidies on major petroleum products, emphasizing the need for targeted and sustainable measures. The government initially managed fiscal pressures by adjusting the Petroleum Development Levy…

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