Lucky Cement Expands into Copper and Gold Mining with Rs1.2bn Investment in Balochistan

Lucky-Cement

KARACHI: Lucky Cement Limited, one of Pakistan’s largest cement producers, is set to invest up to Rs1.2 billion in its associated company, National Resources (Private) Limited (NRL), to advance copper and gold exploration in Chagai, Balochistan. In a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday, the company said its Board of Directors has approved further equity investment in NRL through subscription of shares and the purchase of 250 ordinary shares from Muhammad Ali Tabba, a related party. The funds will support pre-feasibility work, including geological studies, drilling, and…

Read More

Senate Committee Pushes for ‘Out-of-Box’ Resolution to NHP Dispute Between Centre, Provinces

Senate-Panel

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Mohsin Aziz, is set to meet today (Monday) in a bid to craft an “out-of-box” solution to the longstanding dispute over Net Hydel Profit (NHP) payments between the federal government and provinces, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has distanced itself from directly resolving the issue, pointing to the Power Division and the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPA-G) as better positioned to lead efforts. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also heads a parallel committee on the…

Read More

IFC Approves \$250m for Oman Polysilicon Project Despite US Opposition

world-bank

WASHINGTON: The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has approved up to \$250 million in loans and investments for a major polysilicon manufacturing project in Oman, moving ahead despite opposition from the IFC’s US executive director, sources said. According to two individuals familiar with the board’s decision, three other executive directors — representing Germany, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries — abstained from voting on the United Solar Polysilicon project. The \$1.6 billion facility, to be built in the Sohar Port Freezone, will have the…

Read More

SDPI Urges Integrated Economy-Energy-Environment Approach for Pakistan’s EV Transition

New-Project24

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan must integrate its economic, energy, and environmental strategies to build a sustainable electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem powered by renewable energy, according to a new report by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). The findings were shared at a high-level policy dialogue, “Mapping the EV Ecosystem of Pakistan: From Policy to Market Adoption,” attended by policymakers, industry leaders, and energy experts. The session marked the launch of SDPI’s comprehensive study on the country’s electric mobility transition. SDPI Executive Director Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri stressed that EV adoption should align…

Read More

Ogra Drafts New Petroleum Rules to Streamline Supply, Resolve Disputes

OGRA

KARACHI: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has prepared draft Product Review Meeting (PRM) Regulations under the Oil Rules 2016, introducing take-or-pay (TOP) agreements and mandatory compliance for refineries, oil marketing companies (OMCs), and importers to ensure smoother petroleum supply operations. The proposed framework outlines mechanisms for demand-supply analysis, import quota adjustments, and enforcement through penalties. It was presented to a government committee chaired by the petroleum minister, which agreed in principle and directed Ogra to finalise the rules in consultation with stakeholders ahead of the next meeting. The…

Read More