Author: Admin

Sindh Approves Historic Rs1 Trillion Development Budget for FY 2025-26

Admin
murad-ali

KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday approved a record Rs1.018 trillion development budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 during a high-level review meeting at the CM House. The landmark allocation places strong emphasis on Karachi’s infrastructure, climate resilience, and province-wide social development. Of the total outlay, Rs85.5 billion has been reserved for major Karachi projects under the Local Government Department, covering critical water and sewerage initiatives including K-IV, KWSSIP-II, Hub Canal rehabilitation, new storm-water drains, and 228 related schemes. CM Shah instructed Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah…

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Net Metering Surges to Record Levels, Delivering Major Relief in October Fuel Charges

Admin
Net-Metering

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s growing shift toward rooftop solar has begun easing pressure on consumers, as power companies acknowledged on Thursday that record net-metering supplies significantly reduced fuel cost adjustments (FCA) for October 2025. According to fresh data, the country registered a negative FCA of Rs0.65 per kilowatt-hour, driven by cheaper-than-expected electricity generation during the month. Actual generation cost averaged Rs8.7177/kWh, lower than the reference price of Rs9.3685/kWh, allowing a deduction of Rs0.6508/kWh for consumers. With 9.63 billion units sold in October, the overall FCA relief is estimated at Rs6.27 billion.…

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Rising UAE Visa Rejections Leave Pakistanis Frustrated as Islamabad, Abu Dhabi Offer Conflicting Signals

Admin
UAE-visa

When Nadeem, a 28-year-old marketing professional from Lahore, planned his first leisure trip to Dubai, he expected a seamless process. Instead, his visit visa was rejected twice — first in January, then again in November — leaving him confused and stuck in a cycle many Pakistani travellers now find familiar. His travel agent blamed heightened scrutiny for applicants “under 40”, a claim that deepened his frustration. “I’m employed, I submitted everything. My friend, a freelancer, got it on the first attempt,” he said, adding that his third application is still…

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Nepra Fines National Grid Rs10m for Failing to Improve Jhimpir Network

Admin
NEPRA-Office

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has imposed a Rs10 million fine on the National Grid Company (NGC) after finding serious lapses in network development, manpower deployment and safety standards in Sindh’s Jhimpir region. The fine was approved by a three-to-one majority of the authority. The decision follows 41 months of legal proceedings, including an investigation, show-cause notice and multiple hearings. According to Nepra’s order issued on Thursday, a May 2022 inspection found that the 220/132kV grid stations in the Jhimpir area were still under construction yet energised,…

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‘Governance Failures Erode Investor Confidence’: PM’s Privatisation Adviser

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Muhammad-Ali

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation Muhammad Ali has said that persistent governance failures — not a shortage of investment opportunities — are the key reason investor confidence in Pakistan remains weak. Speaking on “Privatisation and Private Sector Participation” on the final day of the Pakistan Business Council’s economic dialogue on Thursday, Mr Ali, who also heads the Privatisation Commission, stressed that Pakistan must ensure legal consistency, market-driven decision-making, and stronger regulatory capacity to attract investors. He noted that although regulator appointments follow formal processes, these systems still…

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