Stability achieved, investment next; OICCI engages Finance Minister on reform agenda

New-Project4

KARACHI, October 1, 2026: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb visited the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) today, meeting its senior leadership and leading foreign investors to discuss how to turn macroeconomic stability into investment.OICCI acknowledged the economic turnaround but noted that investment has not followed, with net FDI falling roughly 34% to $1.7 billion in FY26. “Stabilisation was the first step, not the destination,” said Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. “Our task now is to turn it into investment, exports and jobs, and that…

Read More

LESCO commissions two 132kV grid stations in Lahore

New-Power

LAHORE: The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has commissioned two new 132kV grid stations at Ittihad Town and Audit and Accounts to strengthen the power distribution network, reduce pressure on existing facilities and improve electricity supply to thousands of consumers. LESCO Board of Directors Chairman Amir Zia formally inaugurated the two grid stations in the presence of LESCO Chief Executive Officer Engr Muhammad Ramzan Butt and senior officials. The 132kV Ittihad Town Grid Station was constructed at a cost of Rs588 million. Four 11kV feeders — Ittihad Town F-1, F-2,…

Read More

Govt considers allowing private firms to directly import LNG

New-LNG2

KARACHI: The government is considering allowing power plants and other private companies to directly import liquefied natural gas (LNG) as Pakistan seeks to strengthen energy supplies without placing additional pressure on public finances, according to a person familiar with the matter. The proposal comes as two of Pakistan’s LNG import terminals have remained largely idle since March following disruptions to shipments from Qatar, the country’s largest LNG supplier, amid the conflict in the Middle East, according to a Bloomberg report. Under existing regulations, buyers other than state-owned Pakistan LNG Ltd…

Read More

Overlap in auto environmental standards flagged

New-Project3

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Science and Technology has urged the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to revisit an earlier decision on environmental, safety and quality standards for imported vehicles, citing overlapping mandates with the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA). The ministry has proposed modification of the ECC decision of September 24, 2025, particularly provisions relating to the formulation of environmental, safety and quality standards, testing and certification requirements for imported vehicles. According to the ministry, these functions fall within the statutory mandate of the PSQCA under the Rules of…

Read More

LPG price rises 8pc ahead of winter

New-Project2

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has increased the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by around 8 per cent for October, raising the cost of an 11.8kg domestic cylinder by Rs244.14 amid higher international prices. According to an Ogra notification, the price of LPG has been fixed at Rs279.34 per kg for October, compared with Rs258.64 per kg in September, reflecting an increase of Rs20.68 per kg. The price of an 11.8kg domestic cylinder has consequently risen to Rs3,296.23, from Rs3,052.09 last month. Ogra determined the producer…

Read More