Pakistan Energy Expo Kicks Off: LCCI President Calls for Urgent Energy Sector Reforms

Energy-Expo

LAHORE: Mian Abuzar Shad, President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), inaugurated the three-day Pakistan Energy Expo at the Lahore Expo Center on Wednesday. Speaking at the event, Shad emphasized the critical need for reforms in the energy sector to address the challenges hampering the country’s economic growth. Joined by Acting Chinese Consul General Mr. Cao and Chief Organizer Atif Zeeshan, Shad stressed that high energy tariffs are crippling industries and urged the government to lower electricity costs, especially by regulating Independent Power Producers (IPPs). He advocated…

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TAPI Gas and Trade Top Agenda in Pakistan-Russia Kremlin Talks

TAPI-gas

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Privatisation, and Communications Abdul Aleem Khan held high-level discussions with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk and other Russian ministers at the Kremlin. Key topics included the TAPI gas pipeline, bilateral trade, international road transport agreements, and proposed infrastructure projects like a rail link between the two nations. Overchuk praised Pakistan’s interest in the North-South International Transport Corridor, highlighting its potential to enhance trade between Eurasia and North-South countries. The meeting also reviewed plans for a trade route connecting Pakistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, and…

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Power Division Keeps IPP Talks Confidential, Promises ‘Good News’ Soon

Power-sector

ISLAMABAD: The Power Division on Thursday declined to share details on the ongoing negotiations between the Task Force on Power Sector Reforms and Independent Power Producers (IPPs), but assured that progress is being made and good news will be shared soon, as talks with several IPPs are at an advanced stage. Special Secretary Arshad Majeed, who also serves as Secretary of the Task Force, stated that negotiations are in a critical phase and disclosing details could be detrimental. He noted that within two weeks, the Committee would be briefed on…

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Rs250 Million Spent on Disco Privatisation with No Results, Senate Committee Informed

power-distribution

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Privatisation was informed on Thursday that despite spending Rs250 million on the privatisation process of power distribution companies (Discos), not a single transaction has been completed. Committee chairman Senator Tallal Badar expressed frustration over this wasteful expenditure, questioning the message it sends internationally. The Ministry of Energy briefed the committee on the proposed privatisation, with Senator Badar specifically questioning the stalled privatisation of Faisalabad Electric Company (Fesco), which had nearly been finalised in 2016-17 but remains incomplete. Labour concerns were highlighted as a significant…

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K-Electric Faces Scrutiny Over Prolonged Outages and Overbilling

K-Electric

NA Committee to Review KE’s Performance in Karachi | Utility Seeks 51 Paise Tariff Hike for August ISLAMABAD: Despite overcapacity in the power system, complaints of overbilling, excessive loadshedding, and high electricity costs in Karachi dominated discussions at parliamentary and regulatory forums on Thursday. K-Electric (KE) faced sharp criticism from the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Power and a public hearing by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra). Both forums raised concerns over KE’s reliance on expensive power plants, leading to 6-18 hours of loadshedding and overcharging. Karachi residents,…

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