Ishaq Dar Urges Swift Reforms to Stabilise Energy Sector and Ensure Affordable Power

Ishaq-Dar

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has called for urgent, targeted reforms to safeguard the sustainability of Pakistan’s energy sector while ensuring affordable and reliable electricity for consumers. Chairing a high-level meeting on Thursday to address the sector’s critical challenges, Dar stressed the need for actionable measures to restore financial health and operational stability. “We must adopt policies that reduce systemic losses, rationalise subsidies, and modernise pricing structures,” he said, emphasising a focus on long-term viability and economic efficiency. The meeting reviewed key issues, including…

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Experts Warn of Escalating Water Crisis in Pakistan, Call for Urgent Action

Water-Crisis

KARACHI: Pakistan’s freshwater resources are under mounting threat from over-extraction, mismanagement, and climate shocks, experts cautioned at an event titled “Building Water-Sensitive Communities: Collaborative Solutions for Freshwater Sustainability.” Dr Masood Arshad, Senior Director of WWF-Pakistan’s Freshwater Programme, warned that unchecked groundwater extraction is accelerating ecological degradation in critical ecosystems such as the Indus River, Keenjhar Lake, and the Ravi River. “Water scarcity is no longer a future concern — it is a crisis we are living through,” he stressed, urging a nature-positive approach to restore and protect freshwater systems. Speakers…

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OGRA LAUNCHES SECOND PHASE OF DIGITIZING PAKISTAN’S OIL SUPPLY CHAIN

Islamabad, July 09, 2025 – In continued drive toward digital transformation, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has launched the second phase of its flagship initiative – Digitizing Pakistan’s Oil Supply Chain.Building on the successful deployment of its online licensing system and the first phase of digitization, OGRA has now initiated a comprehensive Track & Trace system in collaboration with the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). This next phase aims to enhance transparency, operational efficiency, and safety across the country’s downstream oil sector.Following the earlier launch of the Raahguzar…

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Nepra Cuts Uniform Tariff by Rs1.89 for August–October, Approves Negative Fuel Cost Adjustment

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has notified a reduction of Rs1.89 per unit in the uniform electricity tariff for the August–October 2025 period, providing relief to consumers across the country. In a notification issued on August 7, the regulator confirmed that the quarterly adjustment of negative Rs1.8881/kWh will also apply to K-Electric customers, excluding lifeline and prepaid users, and will be recovered over three months. The adjustment will also be reflected in bills already issued for the applicable period. Separately, Nepra approved a negative Fuel Cost Adjustment…

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Pakistan Refinery Ltd to Import First-Ever Nigerian Bonny Light Crude from Vitol

Refinery-Upgrades

KARACHI: Pakistan Refinery Ltd (PRL) will import its first cargo of Nigerian Bonny Light crude from global energy trader Vitol in September, marking a shift in sourcing strategy as Asian refiners turn to cheaper alternatives to costly Middle Eastern oil. According to industry sources, the 500,000-barrel light-sweet crude shipment will load later this month and is expected to arrive in Karachi by late September. Pricing details have not yet been disclosed. Both PRL and Vitol declined to comment. The deal comes shortly after Pakistan’s first agreement to import US crude…

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