TIP Seeks World Bank Probe into $153m Madyan Hydropower Contract Irregularities

Hydropower

ISLAMABAD: Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has flagged “serious irregularities” in the $153 million procurement of the 215MW Madyan Hydropower Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling on the World Bank to investigate and, if necessary, scrap and restart the bidding process. In a letter to World Bank Country Director Ms. Bolormaa Amgaabazar, TIP cited a formal complaint alleging violations in the prequalification and evaluation process conducted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) under the World Bank-funded KHRE Project. The watchdog claimed that a joint venture was prequalified despite one partner—a…

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Kuwait Oil Output Capacity Hits 3.2m bpd, Highest in Over a Decade

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s crude oil production capacity has climbed to 3.2 million barrels per day (bpd), the highest level in more than ten years, Oil Minister Tariq Al-Roumi told Al Qabas newspaper. Kuwait’s capacity, which last peaked at 3.3 million bpd in 2010, had slipped below 3 million bpd in recent years. The latest increase aligns with Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s long-term strategy to raise capacity to 4 million bpd by 2035. The minister said Kuwait will lift production to 2.559 million bpd from October under the latest OPEC+ agreement, which added…

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330MW Hydropower Projects in Swat to Begin Power Generation Within Two Years

Hydropower

PESHAWAR: Secretary Energy and Power Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mohammad Zubair, has announced that three major hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 330 megawatts in Swat will start power generation within the next two years. During his visit to the under-construction 84MW Matiltan, 88MW Gabral Kalam, and 36.6MW Daral Khor hydropower projects, along with the 40-kilometer 132/220kV transmission line project, he reviewed progress and directed timely completion. Chief Executive Officer PEDO Habibullah and Swat Deputy Commissioner Saleem Jan accompanied him. The secretary highlighted that the transmission line project in the Swat…

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Opposition in Balochistan Rejects Mines and Minerals Act, Terms It Unconstitutional

Mine-minral

QUETTA: Opposition parties in the Balochistan Assembly have rejected the recently approved Mines and Minerals Act, 2025, declaring it unconstitutional, a violation of provincial autonomy, and contrary to the ownership rights guaranteed under the 18th Amendment. They have demanded its immediate withdrawal. At a joint meeting held on Monday, chaired by Opposition Leader Mir Younis Aziz Zehri, representatives of opposition parties, civil society, and the Mine Owners’ Association unanimously rejected the law, stressing that any measure undermining public interest would be strongly opposed. The legislation was passed in the provincial…

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CM Turkish Consul General, Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner, Stresses Trade and Investment Cooperation

New-Project36

KARACHI (September 22): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah held separate meetings with the newly appointed Consul General of Turkiye, Mr. Ergül Kadak, and the newly appointed Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Mr. Muhammad Sakib Sadakat, at CM House. Welcoming both diplomats, the chief minister reaffirmed the Sindh government’s full support and emphasised the importance of strengthening relations with brotherly Muslim countries. During his meeting with Mr. Kadak, Mr. Shah highlighted that Pakistan and Turkiye enjoy strong historical ties and stressed the need to further enhance bilateral trade. He…

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