Climate Minister Calls for Expansion of Groundwater Recharge Projects in Islamabad

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Masood Malik has called for a major expansion of groundwater recharge initiatives in Islamabad to tackle the continued depletion of the capital’s underground water reserves. Speaking at an event titled “Protecting Islamabad’s Aquifers” at the USEFP Auditorium, the minister said around 200 recharge wells had been constructed across the capital as a pilot initiative, but stressed that the programme needed to be scaled up significantly. Dr Malik said the recharge interventions had resulted in an estimated 0.4-millimetre rise in…

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Water Must Never Be Weaponised, Says PM Shehbaz at SCO Summit

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BISHKEK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned that water must never be used as a weapon or instrument of political coercion, stressing that agreements governing shared water resources are binding international commitments that must be respected in letter and spirit. Addressing the 26th Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Bishkek, the prime minister described water as the “lifeblood” of the region and said its availability was essential for sustaining millions of people, agriculture and the future of generations to come. “The treaties governing…

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Oil Prices Surge 4% as US-Iran Conflict Revives Supply Disruption Fears

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NEW YORK: Global oil prices jumped nearly 4% on Tuesday, reaching their highest levels in about a week, as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran intensified concerns over potential disruptions to Middle Eastern oil supplies. Brent crude futures rose $3.44, or 3.8%, to $93.93 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $3.72, or 4.3%, to $89.48. The gains put Brent on track for its highest close since August 20 and WTI for its strongest close since July 23. Oil prices had already begun rising following…

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Karachi Industry Calls for Relief as High Power Tariffs Squeeze Competitiveness

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KARACHI: Karachi’s industrial sector has voiced growing concern over high electricity tariffs and additional charges, warning that rising energy costs are undermining production, exports and the competitiveness of Pakistani products in regional and international markets. At a meeting with members of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), K-Electric Board Chairman Shaheryar Chishti said the utility was investing Rs15 billion to upgrade its power infrastructure and improve the reliability of electricity supplies to industrial consumers. He said the investment would cover the installation of new cables and wires, grid…

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Bangladesh Introduces Rooftop Solar Incentives to Tackle Power Shortages

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DHAKA: Bangladesh has launched a new incentive programme for rooftop solar systems equipped with battery storage as the country struggles with severe power shortages and seeks to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels. Under the programme, consumers installing eligible rooftop solar systems by February 28, 2027 will receive 10.50 taka ($0.086) per kilowatt-hour for surplus electricity supplied to the national grid for three years, according to a government notification. The initiative comes as Bangladesh faces its worst electricity shortages in years. Power shortfalls reached nearly 4,000 megawatts at their…

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