Author: Admin

HARIPUR: Water levels at Tarbela Dam have plummeted to critically low levels amid an ongoing dry spell, raising serious concerns over electricity generation and irrigation needs. As of now, the reservoir stands at 1,450.85 feet, just 48 feet above the dead level of 1,402 feet, and nearly 100 feet below its full capacity of 1,550 feet. Despite all 17 power generation units being operational, electricity output has dropped sharply to only 1,413 megawatts, well below the dam’s maximum capacity of 4,888 megawatts. The inflow of water is currently 177,400 cusecs,…

ISLAMABAD: The government is set to fall significantly short of its spending target for water sector development projects in the outgoing fiscal year 2024-25, with only Rs79.4 billion spent by May against an allocated Rs142.6 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). According to the Annual Plan 2025-26, the FY25 water development programme included 59 projects with a cumulative approved cost of Rs2,298.3 billion. Despite persistent implementation hurdles, efforts were made to accelerate progress. By June 2025, 23 schemes worth Rs163.5 billion are expected to be completed or closed.…

ISLAMABAD: In a major relief for clean energy and environment advocates, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance on Tuesday unanimously rejected the proposed 18% sales tax on imported solar panels and their parts. Additionally, the government also withdrew a controversial proposal to raise sales tax on hybrid vehicles up to 1800cc from 12.5% to 18%—both seen as anti-environment measures. The committee, chaired by PPP MNA and former finance minister Syed Naveed Qamar, overruled the solar tax plan during the ongoing discussion on the Finance Bill 2025. Since the National…