BEIRUT: The United Nations peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon issued a stark warning on Sunday regarding Israeli military activities near their positions. According to UNIFIL, these operations pose significant risks to their personnel and compromise their safety. The peacekeepers highlighted the dangers of the ongoing Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) actions near their position 6-52, located southeast of Maroun al-Ras within Lebanese territory. UNIFIL, which operates under the mandate of UN Security Council Resolution 1701—established after the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war—emphasized that the situation is unacceptable and violates obligations to protect…
Read MoreAuthor: Admin
Geo Great Debate: Urgent Power Sector Reforms Needed for Tariff Relief
ISLAMABAD: In a heated discussion during the Geo Great Debate—Ker Dalo, Pakistan Kay Liye—on Sunday, experts highlighted that power sector reforms must be executed efficiently if Pakistan is to see any significant relief in electricity tariffs. The debate was part of a larger campaign launched by the Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Foundation (MKRF) and the Geo-Jang Group, aimed at addressing the country’s key economic challenges. Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, along with industry leaders including Hubco CEO Kamran Kamal, Lucky Electric Power CEO Rohail Muhammad, FPCCI Vice President…
Read MoreReducing Power Tariffs a Top Priority, Says Energy Minister Awais Leghari
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, emphasized on Sunday that the government is prioritizing efforts to reduce power tariffs and protect consumer interests. Speaking to a private news channel, Leghari highlighted ongoing efforts to cut electricity production costs, including a review of agreements with power plants and independent power producers (IPPs) through mutual cooperation. Leghari acknowledged the power sector’s challenges, such as circular debt and high interest rates, which are significantly burdening consumers. He also stressed the importance of renegotiating profit margins for power plants to…
Read MorePPIB Urges K-Electric to Accelerate Feasibility for 300MW Thar Coal Project
ISLAMABAD: The Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB) has called on K-Electric (KE) to expedite the feasibility, power evacuation, and load flow studies for the 300MW Thar coal-fired project, to initiate the Request for Proposal (RFP) and meet the project’s deadlines, according to sources close to the MD of PPIB. The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has mandated PPIB to begin competitive bidding for the project. Despite delays in feasibility progress, KE has committed to completing the study by September 2024, while power evacuation issues are being jointly addressed with…
Read MorePM Orders Inclusion of Diamer Bhasha Hydropower Project in CPEC
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed authorities to incorporate the $8 billion Diamer Bhasha Hydropower Project (DBHP) into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), sources from the Ministry of Water Resources revealed. The project promises significant benefits, including 6.4 MAF water storage and the generation of 18.1 billion units of electricity annually. While $500 million in foreign financing is secured, $3.5 billion more is needed. WAPDA, responsible for the project, is funding it through hydropower tariffs and aims to recover the power generation costs from consumers. Chinese firm PowerChina, already…
Read More