Tag archive
8 stories · ← All coverage
The recurring conversation about discounted Iranian crude for Pakistan frames the opportunity too narrowly. Pakistan's structural import problem is dominated by refined products, not crude — so the strategic prize is investing in domestic refining capacity that captures the crack spread, not just sourcing cheaper barrels.
Former federal finance minister Dr. Miftah Ismail has called expensive electricity Pakistan's single biggest obstacle to export growth, speaking at a Karachi seminar on Monday. He also flagged that motorcyclists bear close to Rs. 100 per litre in petroleum taxes and questioned the effectiveness of fiscal devolution under the National Finance Commission framework.
Pakistan's Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali and Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari held talks with Turkish officials on 25 June 2026 to explore cooperation on power sector privatisation and reform. The engagement reflects Islamabad's ongoing push to offload loss-making state-run distribution companies as part of its IMF programme commitments.
The Power Division has formed an 18-member task force to draft Pakistan's first comprehensive Waste-to-Energy policy, aiming to close regulatory gaps and attract investment into a sector that has until now operated piecemeal under generic IPP and renewable rules.
Pakistan's ECNEC has formally approved the Diamer Basha Dam, ML-1 railway modernisation, and Thar Rail Connectivity projects at a sitting chaired by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar on 11 June 2026. The approvals carry long-term implications for hydropower capacity, coal supply logistics, and electricity tariff stability across Pakistan.
Pakistan and Tajikistan have agreed to hold a Joint Working Group meeting in Istanbul this month to finalise the outstanding commercial and operational terms for the CASA-1000 regional electricity supply project. The decision was reached at the 8th Joint Commission session in Dushanbe, co-chaired by Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, with both sides emphasising the need for timely project operationalisation.
Pakistan has tabled the Wapda Security Force Act, 2026 in parliament to create a dedicated force guarding hydel infrastructure and workers at major water-sector sites. The bill follows two deadly terrorist attacks on the over $6 billion Dasu Hydropower Project that suspended construction for more than a year.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has established a national task force to formulate Pakistan's first waste-to-energy policy, with Power Division Minister Sardar Awais Leghari serving as convener. The body includes federal and provincial ministers, secretaries from all four provinces, and private sector representatives tasked with identifying barriers and proposing legislation for the sector.