Pakistan Appreciates Qatar’s Timely LNG Support Amid Energy Supply Challenges

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik on Thursday praised the State of Qatar for ensuring timely LNG supplies to Pakistan during a critical period marked by regional tensions, congestion in the Strait of Hormuz, and rising summer electricity demand. The minister expressed Pakistan’s gratitude during a meeting with Qatar’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Ali bin Mubarak Al-Khater, held at the Petroleum Division in Islamabad. According to an official statement, the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral energy cooperation and enhancing coordination for future LNG supplies and strategic energy storage initiatives.…

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SIFC Assures Resolution of Tax Issues Hindering Oil Refinery Upgradation in Budget 2026-27

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ISLAMABAD: The Special Investment Facilitation Council has assured that a major tax distortion affecting Pakistan’s oil refining sector will be addressed in the upcoming federal budget for 2026-27, paving the way for long-delayed refinery upgradation projects. The assurance was given by Sajid Mahmood Qazi, Additional Secretary of SIFC, during a question-and-answer session at the CFO Conference 2026 organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan. Speaking at the event, Qazi acknowledged that Pakistan remains a challenging destination for investment due to persistent issues such as energy pricing, policy inconsistency,…

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NEPRA Approves Tariff for Up to 204MW Electricity Import from Iran, Raises Concerns Over Procedural Violations

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ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority has approved a tariff framework for the import of 104MW electricity, along with an additional 100MW supply from Iran’s state-owned power company TAVANIR, at a tariff capped around 12.40 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The approval follows an application submitted by the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee Limited after the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) endorsed the extension and expansion of the cross-border electricity agreement in August 2023. Under the proposal, CPPA-G sought continuation of the existing 104MW electricity supply from Iran and approval for an…

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PM Shehbaz Forms National Task Force to Accelerate Waste-to-Energy Projects

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday constituted a high-level task force to formulate Pakistan’s first comprehensive national policy on waste-to-energy projects, aiming to promote clean energy generation and attract private sector investment. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the task force will develop a clear national strategy, institutional framework, and implementation roadmap to advance waste-to-energy initiatives across the country. The proposed policy is expected to facilitate local and foreign investment in the sector while encouraging greater participation from private companies in converting municipal and industrial…

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IMF Warns Pakistan’s Heavy Gulf Dependence Poses Major External Risk

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ISLAMABAD: Following the release of a $1.1 billion tranche to Pakistan, the International Monetary Fund has identified the country’s deep economic reliance on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states as its most significant external vulnerability. In its latest staff report, the IMF cautioned that ongoing regional conflict and instability could adversely affect Pakistan’s economic outlook due to its heavy dependence on Gulf economies for energy imports, remittances, and financial flows. The report highlighted that nearly 81 percent of Pakistan’s fuel imports originate from GCC countries, while around 55 percent of remittances…

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