Due to delay in execution, slow progress on projects, and cost overrun, the Planning Commission has recommended barring the National Highway Authority (NHA) from submitting new projects and has directed it to bring its business plan as its throw forward has reached Rs. 907 billion. The current pace of approving new projects of the National Highway Authority is not sustainable, and the ongoing or new schemes cannot be completed on time with the available funding, an official source told ProPakistani. The Transport and Communication section of the Planning Commission has…
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Domestic gas consumers: There will be no supply of LNG on ‘lower’ rates: Hammad
Federal Energy Minister Hammad Azhar said on Friday that the government would not supply imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to domestic gas consumers on lower rates. Addressing a news conference, the minister said that 10 to 11 cargos of LNG were tenders to meet the demand, but since the LNG prices had gone up on the international market the imported gas could not be affordable for the domestic consumers. The current government increased natural gas prices for commercial consumers and the CNG sector by several folds over three years. However,…
Read MoreIndustry’s gas woes
BONA FIDE textile and clothing exporters have started suffering production losses as the row between the industry and energy ministry over the complete suspension of gas supplies for captive power continues. While the ministry’s action may not leave as extensive an impact on the industry’s overseas shipments during winter as is being maintained by APTMA, it has already compelled many exporters — especially vertically integrated units dependent on gas or on both electricity and gas to fully run their operations — to partially close down their production capacities. The ministry…
Read MoreIslamabad’s Air Pollution Reaches Record Highest
Federal capital’s air pollution reaches record highest, reveals the 24 hours ambient air quality report of Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA)’s on Wednesday. According to the report, increased ratio of environmental pollutants causing bad air and degraded atmosphere leading to smog. The National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) by EPA set a threshold of 35 microgrammes per cubic meter for particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5), 120 microgrammes per cubic meter for sulphur dioxide (SO2) and 80 microgrammes per cubic meter to ensure clean ambiance. The report highlighted that the past…
Read MoreAll set for inking $1.5bn loan agreements with ADB
Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will sign six financing loan agreements worth $1.535 billion on Wednesday (today), it is learnt. Official sources revealed to Business Recorder that Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan will witness the loan-signing ceremony. Documents revealed that the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) and the ADB will sign loan agreement worth $600 million for integrated social protection development programme (BISP Ehsaas). Another project worth $300 million would be signed for energy sector reforms and financial sustainability programme (Sub-program 2). The EAD and the ADB…
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