Sindh Energy Minister Pledges Support to Thar Coal Project-Affected Communities

Thar-Coal

KARACHI: Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, during a meeting with a delegation of Thar Coal project-affected individuals on Friday, assured them of the government’s unwavering support in addressing their grievances. The delegation, comprising Bhim Raj, Leelaram, and other community representatives, raised concerns about employment, access to clean water, and basic amenities. Minister Shah reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to resolving these issues, emphasizing the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) focus on community welfare. “Our leadership, including PPP President Asif Ali Zardari, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Faryal Talpur, and the…

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Ministry Flags Financial Mismanagement in Oil and Gas Sector, Highlights Circular Debt Crisis

oil-and-gas

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Finance has raised concerns over the poor financial management in Pakistan’s oil and gas sector, attributing it to the rising circular debt and operational inefficiencies. In its report, the ministry identified key weaknesses in the business strategies of major state-owned enterprises (SOEs), including Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL). Ineffective financial practices and delays in payments from other SOEs and customers have resulted in significant…

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NEPRA Demands Recovery Plan from TESCO Amid Tax Relief Withdrawal and Metering Issues

Nepra

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has sought a comprehensive recovery plan from the Tribal Areas Electricity Supply Company (TESCO) in anticipation of potential government withdrawal of tax exemptions for industrial consumers and the metering of domestic consumers. This inquiry arose during NEPRA’s review of TESCO’s five-year (2025-26 to 2029-30) Investment and Business Plan, which includes an approved investment of Rs. 14 billion. Currently, TESCO supplies electricity for four hours daily to non-metered domestic consumers, with their bills covered by federal budget allocations. Meanwhile, industrial consumers are exempt…

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Pakistan Launches Ambitious “Uraan Pakistan” Initiative to Transform Economy

Uraan-Pakistan

Islamabad, January 1, 2025 — Pakistan has officially unveiled the Uraan Pakistan initiative, an ambitious roadmap to propel the country towards becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2035 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047. Built on the transformative 5Es Framework, the initiative emphasizes five key pillars: Exports, E-Pakistan, Environment, Energy & Infrastructure, and Equity, Ethics & Empowerment. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his address during the launch event, emphasized the importance of holistic economic reforms to unlock Pakistan’s potential. “With Uraan Pakistan, we aim to set a new trajectory…

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Turkey Increases Fuel Tax by 6% Amid Inflation Control Efforts

Fuel-Tax

ANKARA: Turkey has raised its special consumption tax on fuel by 6%, according to a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday. The move comes as the government aims to manage inflation while maintaining fiscal stability. The tax adjustment, implemented every six months based on the producer price index (PPI), reflects a cumulative five-month PPI increase of 7.12%. Despite the hike, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek assured that recent tax measures on fuel and tobacco are designed not to affect Turkey’s inflation goals for 2025. Fuel taxes often impact…

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