ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has ruled out the signing of an energy debt restructuring agreement with China next week, dismissing reports that suggested a memorandum of understanding (MoU) would be signed during the Chinese prime minister’s upcoming visit. Speaking after a Senate Standing Committee on Finance meeting, the minister clarified that debt re-profiling was a lengthy process, requiring lender and sponsor consent, and that negotiations would take three to four years. Pakistan seeks to restructure $16 billion owed to Chinese institutions, but no immediate relief is expected. Meanwhile, provinces…
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Pakistan to Import 12,000 MW of Solar Panels as Part of Renewable Energy Push
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to import 12,000 megawatts of solar panels this year as part of its efforts to increase reliance on renewable energy, the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change revealed during a meeting chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman. The committee discussed the Pakistan Trade Control of Wild Fauna and Flora (Amended) Bill 2024, with PPP Senator Shahadat Awan advocating for wildlife concerns to be addressed in relation to human life. The Ministry of Climate Change also outlined plans to have 30% of vehicles in Pakistan powered by electricity…
Read MoreKarachi’s Business Leaders Demand Immediate Action on Deteriorating Infrastructure
KARACHI: Economists, architects, traders, and business leaders have urged the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC) and the Sindh government to address the city’s crumbling infrastructure, overflowing sewerage, and rampant pollution, which have severely impacted business districts and markets. Speaking to The Express Tribune, they criticized the city’s governing bodies, including the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and other development authorities, for widespread corruption, mismanagement, and inaction. They called for a comprehensive master plan to rebuild the damaged roads, control encroachments, and repair the collapsed sewerage system. Architect Arif…
Read MoreEarly Agreement Terminations Prompt Emergency IPP Board Meetings
KARACHI: With the government preparing to prematurely terminate key agreements this month, several independent power producers (IPPs) have called emergency board meetings to address the situation. Hub Power Company Limited (Hubco) announced in a stock filing on Wednesday that its board of directors would hold an urgent meeting on Thursday to review the early termination terms of its implementation, power purchase, and fuel supply agreements, along with the associated guarantees. These agreements were originally set to expire in March 2027. Lalpir Power Limited also notified the Pakistan Stock Exchange of…
Read MoreSaudi Delegation Arrives to Strengthen Trade and Investment Cooperation with Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: A high-level Saudi delegation, led by Minister for Investment Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdul Aziz Al Faleh, arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a three-day official visit aimed at enhancing trade and investment ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Federal ministers Abdul Aleem Khan (Board of Investment, Privatisation & Communications), Jam Kamal Khan (Trade), and Mohammad Musadik Malik (Petroleum), along with senior officials, welcomed the Saudi minister at Islamabad Airport. During the visit, both nations are expected to sign multiple trade agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). The Saudi delegation…
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