Category: Latest News

Lucky Cement Expands into Copper and Gold Mining with Rs1.2bn Investment in Balochistan

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Lucky-Cement

KARACHI: Lucky Cement Limited, one of Pakistan’s largest cement producers, is set to invest up to Rs1.2 billion in its associated company, National Resources (Private) Limited (NRL), to advance copper and gold exploration in Chagai, Balochistan. In a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday, the company said its Board of Directors has approved further equity investment in NRL through subscription of shares and the purchase of 250 ordinary shares from Muhammad Ali Tabba, a related party. The funds will support pre-feasibility work, including geological studies, drilling, and…

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Senate Committee Pushes for ‘Out-of-Box’ Resolution to NHP Dispute Between Centre, Provinces

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ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Mohsin Aziz, is set to meet today (Monday) in a bid to craft an “out-of-box” solution to the longstanding dispute over Net Hydel Profit (NHP) payments between the federal government and provinces, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has distanced itself from directly resolving the issue, pointing to the Power Division and the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPA-G) as better positioned to lead efforts. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also heads a parallel committee on the…

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IFC Approves \$250m for Oman Polysilicon Project Despite US Opposition

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WASHINGTON: The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has approved up to \$250 million in loans and investments for a major polysilicon manufacturing project in Oman, moving ahead despite opposition from the IFC’s US executive director, sources said. According to two individuals familiar with the board’s decision, three other executive directors — representing Germany, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries — abstained from voting on the United Solar Polysilicon project. The \$1.6 billion facility, to be built in the Sohar Port Freezone, will have the…

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Ogra Drafts New Petroleum Rules to Streamline Supply, Resolve Disputes

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OGRA

KARACHI: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has prepared draft Product Review Meeting (PRM) Regulations under the Oil Rules 2016, introducing take-or-pay (TOP) agreements and mandatory compliance for refineries, oil marketing companies (OMCs), and importers to ensure smoother petroleum supply operations. The proposed framework outlines mechanisms for demand-supply analysis, import quota adjustments, and enforcement through penalties. It was presented to a government committee chaired by the petroleum minister, which agreed in principle and directed Ogra to finalise the rules in consultation with stakeholders ahead of the next meeting. The…

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HUBCO Shareholders Approve \$51m Guarantees for Thar Coal Projects

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KARACHI: The Hub Power Company Limited (HUBCO), Pakistan’s largest Independent Power Producer, has secured shareholder approval to provide financial guarantees worth up to \$51 million for its two Thar-based coal projects — Thar Energy Limited (TEL) and ThalNova Power Thar (TN). The approval was granted at an extraordinary general meeting on August 7, 2025, authorising standby letters of credit of up to \$31 million for TEL and \$20 million for TN to bridge potential funding gaps through equity and/or subordinated debt. HUBCO’s management has also been empowered to negotiate with…

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