New Dams to Boost Water Reserves by 10 MAF in 4-5 Years: WAPDA Chief

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ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Lt. General Sajjad Ghani (Retd.), announced that the construction of new dams will add 10 million acre-feet (MAF) of water to Pakistan’s reserves within the next four to five years. Speaking at a National Assembly Standing Committee on Water Resources meeting, chaired by Khalid Hussain Magsi, Ghani emphasized that with these new projects, the country’s total water availability will increase from 13 MAF to 23 MAF per annum. He urged all provinces to prepare their canal infrastructure in advance to…

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Winter Incentive Package Boosts Power Consumption by 1.5% in December

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ISLAMABAD: The government’s three-month Winter Incentive Package led to a 1.5% increase in electricity consumption in December 2024, with an additional 226 million units consumed, including in K-Electric’s jurisdiction. This was revealed during a public hearing chaired by NEPRA Chairman Chaudhry Waseem Mukhtar on the Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) for December 2024. The Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guaranteed (CPPA-G) has proposed a negative adjustment of Rs 1.04 per unit, translating to a Rs 7.78 billion reduction in consumer costs. CPPA-G CEO Rihan Akhtar explained that the previously approved FCA of Rs…

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SNGPL Calls for Policy Review on Third-Party Indigenous Gas Sales in RLNG Areas

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ISLAMABAD: Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has urged the Petroleum Division to review the policy allowing third parties to sell indigenous gas in RLNG-designated areas, arguing that all available and upcoming indigenous gas should be allocated to gas utilities to ensure affordable tariffs for the public. In a letter to the Petroleum Division, SNGPL highlighted that the current policy creates market distortions, particularly in Punjab, where private entities are selling indigenous gas at lower rates while SNGPL is restricted to selling at OGRA-notified RLNG tariffs. This pricing disparity is…

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KSA, Pakistan Continue Negotiations on Reko Diq Stake

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are still working to finalize key details regarding the 15% stake in the Reko Diq copper and gold project in Balochistan, sources told Business Recorder. The Reko Diq Mine is currently 50% owned by Barrick Gold, while the Government of Pakistan holds 25% through state-owned enterprises (GHCL, OGDCL, and PPL). The Government of Balochistan retains 15% on a fully funded basis and 10% on a free-carried basis. Progress and Key Challenges Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr. Musadik Masood Malik,…

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Govt Revises Tariffs with 14 IPPs, Secures Rs813 Billion in Savings

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ISLAMABAD: The government has successfully renegotiated tariffs with 14 Independent Power Producers (IPPs), securing Rs813 billion in savings for consumers and addressing circular debt amounting to Rs329 billion. As part of the agreement, the IPPs have agreed to return Rs31 billion in excess profits, a reduction from the initial Rs55 billion claim. Additionally, the government has decided to close investigations by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) against certain IPPs, including Nishat Power Limited, Nishat Chunian Power Limited, Liberty Power Tech Limited, and…

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