Category: Highlights

PM Announces 3 Month Relief for Lifeline Electricity Consumers

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Shahbaz-Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a three-month relief package for lifeline electricity consumers whose monthly consumption remains below 200 units. The state broadcaster PTV News posted on X that the government will offer a Rs50 billion discount to these consumers in July, August, and September, benefiting 25 million consumers—94% of the country’s domestic electricity users. During a press conference in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz detailed that the relief package will provide a concession of up to Rs7 per unit for around 25 million domestic consumers falling in the protected category.…

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SSGC Halts Gas Supply to Pakistan Steel Mills Over Rs98 Billion Default

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SSGC

ISLAMABAD: Sui Southern Gas Company Ltd (SSGC) has disconnected gas supply to Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) due to chronic payment defaults amounting to Rs98 billion, including Rs75 billion in interest and late payment surcharges. The Karachi-based gas utility stated that PSM began partially defaulting on monthly gas bill payments in November 2008 and ceased all payments after March 2015. Despite multiple termination notices issued in 2015, SSGC reduced gas supplies from 21 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) in 2014-15 to 2 mmcfd in 2015-16 to maintain PSM’s Coke Oven…

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Fuel Crisis Hits Karachi and KP as Pumps Run Dry Amid Partial Strike

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Partial-Strike

KARACHI/PESHAWAR: Despite the postponement of a planned strike by petroleum dealers on Friday evening, many consumers in Karachi faced difficulties obtaining petrol and diesel earlier in the day as several fuel pumps were either closed or out of stock. The strike was a protest against the government’s imposition of a 0.5% advance turnover tax, which the dealers argue would add an additional tax burden of Rs1 million per pump. They strongly rejected this demand. According to a petroleum dealer, approximately 50% of fuel pumps in Karachi were closed ahead of…

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Petroleum Dealers Split Over Strike Amid Government Maneuvers

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Over-Strike

ISLAMABAD – The ongoing dispute among petroleum dealers has intensified, with factions within the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) divided over a nationwide strike. The government has hinted at raising dealer commissions to mitigate the impact of turnover tax, while oil marketing companies (OMCs) are seeking a 60% increase in their profit margins. Strike Call and Division Abdul Sami Khan, Chairman of PPDA, announced that petrol pumps would shut down nationwide from 6am on Friday. However, the PPDA’s Lahore and Rawalpindi chapters, identifying as the Reformers Group, have rejected the…

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Major Power Tariff Hike Looms for Consumers

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electricity-tariffs

ISLAMABAD – The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has announced a public hearing on July 8 to discuss the proposed increase in electricity tariffs, which could pass an additional Rs700 billion burden onto consumers in the current fiscal year. This increase, set to take effect on July 1, 2024, will see the average national tariff rise by around Rs5.72 per unit, significantly impacting all ex-Wapda distribution companies (Discos) and K-Electric customers. The most affected will be protected consumers, who could face a staggering 51% increase in their electricity rates.…

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