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Negotiations with IPPs saved Rs1.1 trillion: Awais Leghari

Published

8 hours ago

Farwa

In talks with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), the government has saved Rs1.1 trillion, according to Minister for Power Division Awais Leghari on Thursday.

Speaking at the closing of the 4th International Hydropower Conference, which Energy Updates organized in cooperation with the Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB), WAPDA, and other interested parties, the minister stated that the government and IPPs had mutually extended the contracts for the benefit of Pakistan.

He claimed that consumers were no longer able to pay their electricity bills and that the government planned to completely restructure the power industry.

He went on to say, “We are also restructuring National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC).”

He explained that the government’s power sector reforms had resulted in a notable decrease in distribution businesses’ losses. According to him, these losses from July to November 2023 totaled Rs223 billion, but the same period in 2024 saw a drop to Rs170 billion.

He said out of a total of 10 Board of Directors (BoDs) of Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs), eight have been completely revamped, and not a single induction was made on a political basis.

According to him, the government was examining the several levies that are included in electricity bills in order to give customers the most relief possible.

He described a national uniform tariff as a significant obstacle, arguing that it is unjust to shift the burden from one business to another.

He said a competitive electricity market will be launched in March, where market forces would determine power tariffs and the government would play only a facilitating role.

The minister said that the demand for solar solutions was increasing due to the high cost of electricity. It is anticipated that the country’s net metering system will gain an extra 10,000–12,000 MW.

In 2017, he claimed to have implemented net metering throughout the nation. But according to him, the top class was enjoying net metering. “The country is experiencing a revolution in solar energy due to the high cost of electricity,” he continued.

Although the government calculates that the increase should only be Rs 1 per unit, K-Electric has requested a Rs 10 per unit increase in the rate from the power regulator.

Stressing the need for necessary decisions for sustainable development in the energy sector, the minister said the government was taking every possible measure to facilitate the public.

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‘Green City’ is how LHC sees Multan in order to combat pollution.

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2 hours ago

Farwa

On Friday, officials were ordered by the Lahore High Court to turn Multan into a “green city” in order to lessen the consequences of environmental pollution.

On Tahir Jamal’s petition, LHC Justice Jawad Hassan rendered a thorough decision.

In order to have its own 2020 order put into effect, the petitioner had prayed before the court.

The responsible officials were instructed by the court to create a strong plan for turning Multan into a green city.

All departments were instructed to designate spokespersons by the LHC.

All parties involved in this matter must be consulted, according to the specified instructions.

A long-term strategy is needed to address Multan’s environmental contamination and declining AQI, according to Justice Jawad Hassan.

Every department was ordered by the court to provide a report on a monthly basis.

The written directive stated that Multan’s efforts to address the pollution were insufficient.

The director general of PHA Multan told the court that 14,825 trees were planted in the city in 2024.

According to the director general of PHA, DG Khan, 28,471 trees were planted in 2024.

10,560 trees were planted in private housing societies by the Multan Development Authority, it was further said.

The court ordered that the matter be heard on the first Tuesday of each month.

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Road accidents in Karachi claim six lives.

Published

2 hours ago

Farwa

Throughout Karachi, at least six people have died in road accidents in the past 24 hours.

When a water tanker struck their motorcycles on Shahrah-e-Millat Road close to Baloch Colony, two individuals were killed and one was injured. Angry residents set the tanker on fire after the driver left the site of the collision.

Two motorcycle riders were killed in another incident at Baldia Town’s Hub River Road after being struck by a water tanker. The tanker driver escaped as well.

Separately, a Coast Guard officer died after being hurt in an accident close to Kathore. The motorist left, leaving their car parked close by. The driver has been reported, and an investigation is being conducted to find them.

Near Chamra Chowrangi in Korangi, a motorcyclist was hit by a car, forcing the motorcycle to tumble into a sewer. The automobile driver fled the scene after one person died.

The governor of Sindh voiced his alarm about these occurrences and asked the IG Sindh for a report. Additionally, he instructed the authorities to take strong measures against the guilty.

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LBA elections are due to take place.

Published

2 hours ago

Farwa

2,000 to 3,000 teachers will be retired by the Punjab School Education Department as part of a revamped strategy that emphasizes early retirement.

According to sources on Friday, instructors who have completed matriculation would be given preference for this type of retirement. The choice to voluntarily retire has also been made available to educators up to the age of fifty. All teachers in this age range have had their data requested by the department.

See also: Flop or Fix? An outline of the educational conundrum

The Chief Secretary has received a request to change the retirement rules, according to confirmation from the School Education Department. Teachers are only eligible for early retirement under the existing regulations if they are 55 years of age or older.