NA Panel Criticises Nepra Over Net Metering Shift, Warns of Investor Confidence Erosion

Net-Metering

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) faced strong criticism from lawmakers on Monday over its recent decision to replace net metering with net billing for solar consumers, with parliamentarians warning that the move could undermine investor confidence and damage the government’s credibility. The issue was raised during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Industries and Production, chaired by MQM MNA Syed Hafeezuddin. Committee members questioned the rationale behind the abrupt policy shift, arguing that it could “shatter the trust of investors in government policies”. Earlier…

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Govt Notifies Rs4.04 Per Unit Cut in Industrial Power Tariffs, Seeks Restoration of Solar Prosumers’ Rights

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has formally notified an average reduction of Rs4.04 per unit in electricity tariffs for industrial consumers, effective from February 11, 2026, while also directing the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to restore contractual rights of existing net-metered solar consumers. The Power Division announced revised rates across all industrial categories. However, a nominal fixed charge of Rs1,000 per month has been imposed on smaller industrial consumers (B1 category) with loads up to 25kW, similar to fixed charges recently introduced for residential users. Under the new structure,…

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PM Launches Historic Fan Replacement Program to Transform Pakistan’s Energy Efficiency Landscape

Awais-lagari

Islamabad: In a landmark step toward national energy reform, Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari formally launched the Prime Minister’s Fan Replacement Program at the Planning Commission Auditorium in Islamabad. The initiative, spearheaded by the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA), is being described as one of the most transformative demand-side management interventions in Pakistan’s history. Far beyond a technical upgrade, the program marks a strategic shift toward embedding energy efficiency at the core of the country’s power policy. The launch ceremony was attended…

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FPCCI Hails Reduction in Sindh Infrastructure Cess (IDC) Hundreds of Millions of Dollar Worth of Annual Relief Eyed Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI

Karachi: Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), has welcomed the Sindh government’s decision to reduce the infrastructure development cess, terming it a historic breakthrough that is expected to reduce the cost of doing business by hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Atif Ikram Sheikh lauded the provincial government for lowering the cess from the existing 1.85 per cent to a bracket of 0.80pc to 0.85pc. He noted that the business community had been struggling with this issue for the past 20…

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Reconstructed Main Runway at Karachi Airport Inaugurated, Upgraded to International Code 4-F Standard

KARACHI: The reconstructed main runway at Jinnah International Airport was formally inaugurated on Saturday by Secretary of Defence Lt. Gen. (Retd) Muhammad Ali, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed. During the inauguration ceremony, the Secretary was briefed on the technical specifications and execution of the project. According to PAA, the reconstruction was completed within the designated 18-month timeframe and without any cost overruns. The Secretary of Defence lauded the runway’s upgrade to Code 4-F classification — a top-tier international aviation standard — enabling the airport to handle larger, wide-body aircraft.…

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