Author: Admin

Nepra Member Flags Rs69bn Loss Due to Idle Coal Plants, Urges Urgent Power Sector Reforms

Admin
New-NEPRA

ISLAMABAD: A member of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has raised alarm over deep-rooted inefficiencies in Pakistan’s power sector, highlighting Rs69 billion in capacity payments made to underutilised coal-fired power plants due to persistent transmission constraints. In his additional note on the quarterly tariff adjustment for May–July 2025, Nepra Member (Technical) Rafique Ahmad Shaikh pointed to severe shortcomings in the national transmission system, which prevented the efficient use of low-cost power generation, especially from southern-based coal plants — Port Qasim, China Power, and Lucky Electric. Despite their ability…

Read More

New Petroleum Minister Vows to Resolve Exploration Sector Challenges

Admin
Ali-Pervaiz

ISLAMABAD: Newly appointed Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has pledged to address long-standing challenges in Pakistan’s oil and gas sector, which have hampered indigenous exploration and production activities. The move follows the removal of former minister Musadik Malik, whose bureaucratic approach was widely criticized for creating bottlenecks instead of solutions, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene by forming a high-level gas committee led by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar. Among the foremost challenges is the finalisation of a model agreement for tight gas, which remains unsigned despite Oil and Gas…

Read More

IMF Approves $1bn Disbursement for Pakistan, Expands Support with \$1.4bn Climate Facility

Admin
New-IMF

WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday approved the immediate disbursement of \$1 billion to Pakistan under its ongoing \$7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), while also granting a new \$1.4 billion arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) to help build climate resilience. The IMF Executive Board completed the first review of Pakistan’s reform programme under the EFF, enabling the disbursement and bringing total support to approximately \$2.1 billion. Additionally, the RSF agreement spans 28 months and supports Pakistan’s efforts to combat climate-related vulnerabilities and bolster economic…

Read More

IMF Approves \$2.1bn for Pakistan Despite Indian Objections

Admin
New-IMF1

WASHINGTON: In a significant boost to Pakistan’s economic outlook, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday approved two major financing arrangements worth \$2.1 billion, defying Indian efforts to derail the process. The support includes a \$1 billion disbursement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and \$1.4 billion under a newly launched Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) aimed at climate resilience. The RSF, spanning 28 months, is designed to enhance Pakistan’s capacity to manage climate-induced shocks and build long-term sustainability. The IMF Executive Board’s approval follows a staff-level agreement reached in…

Read More

Nepra Cuts Power Tariffs by Rs1.55/Unit for Summer Months to Ease Consumer Burden

Admin
Nepra-KE-1

ISLAMABAD: In a welcome relief for electricity consumers during the peak summer months, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Friday announced a reduction of Rs1.55 per unit in power tariffs across the country for May to July 2025, under its quarterly adjustment mechanism. The reduction, which applies to all consumer categories except lifeline and prepaid users, is part of a Rs52.6 billion negative quarterly adjustment for the January–March period of FY2024-25. Nepra stated that the relief would be reflected uniformly at Rs1.5538 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Additionally, consumers of…

Read More