ISLAMABAD: Electricity consumers across the country may face a rise of 26 paisa per unit in power tariffs under the monthly fuel cost adjustment for March. The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has submitted a formal request to National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) seeking approval for the proposed increase. Nepra is scheduled to take up the petition for hearing on April 28. According to data submitted by CPPA, a total of 8.939 billion units of electricity were generated during March, of which 8.644 billion units were dispatched to distribution…
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Govt Collects Rs180bn Petroleum Levy in 6 Weeks Amid Regional Tensions
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has collected over Rs180 billion from consumers through the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) in just six weeks, reflecting a sharp surge in revenue amid heightened geopolitical tensions. According to officials in the Ministry of Finance, PDL collections rose significantly during the recent escalation involving the United States and Iran, placing an increased financial burden on petroleum consumers across the country. Cumulatively, from July of the მიმდინარე fiscal year to mid-April, the government has amassed Rs1,234 billion under the levy—around Rs400 billion higher than the same period…
Read MoreHormuz Reopens for Trade as US Maintains Iran Blockade Amid Near Deal
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Friday declared the Strait of Hormuz “fully open and ready for full passage,” even as Washington continues to enforce a naval blockade targeting Iran until a final agreement is reached. The announcement came shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that the vital waterway would remain open for all commercial vessels during the Lebanon ceasefire. However, Iranian officials clarified that military vessels are still barred, underscoring the conditional nature of the reopening. Despite signaling de-escalation in one of the world’s most critical energy…
Read MorePakistan Faces Widespread Blackouts as LNG Crisis Deepens Amid Middle East Conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is bracing for prolonged and widespread power outages as a deepening shortage of liquefied natural gas (LNG), triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East, severely disrupts electricity generation, according to a report by Bloomberg. The country’s power shortfall surged to around 4,500 megawatts during peak evening hours, accounting for nearly a quarter of total demand, officials said. The crisis has intensified as the Iran–US conflict disrupts regional energy flows and effectively shuts down the critical Strait of Hormuz. Compounding the situation, LNG exports from Qatar—Pakistan’s primary supplier—have…
Read MoreFuel Sales Drop Sharply as Govt Tightens Digital Monitoring of Petrol Pumps
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has witnessed a significant decline in fuel consumption during the first half of April 2026, following the government’s rollout of a strict digital monitoring system aimed at regulating petroleum sales and curbing misuse. According to official data from Pakistan State Oil (PSO), sales of Premier Motor Gasoline (PMG) fell by 14% year-on-year, while High-Speed Diesel (HSD) consumption dropped sharply by 26% during the first 15 days of the month, amid rising fuel prices and tighter oversight. The regulatory push is being led by the Oil and Gas Regulatory…
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