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NEPRA suggests grid sharing charges for high rise buildings
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has suggested increased grid sharing charges for high rise structures and amendments in electricity connection rules for industrial consumers.
Proposed revisions to the Consumer Service Manual state that buildings using dedicated transformers with a capacity of over 500 kVA would be made to pay grid-sharing charges.
Even under current regulations, buildings of ground plus three storeys are not considered to be multi-storey or high-rise buildings and are hence not required to pay grid-sharing payments. The suggested revisions would alter the existing setup.
NEPRA also suggested that distribution companies may be allowed to provide multiple industrial, commercial or bulk supply connections at the same premises, with up to three feeders and combined load of up to 15 megawatts, subject to technical feasibility and availability of capacity at the existing grid station.
The proposed adjustments also affect fees for industrial and steel furnace customers, and revise the conditions for interim disconnections and reconnections.
Distribution firms may also be permitted to impose detection bills for up to 12 months for registered consumers employing fraudulent meters, changing meter readings through software or Bluetooth devices, freezing load profiles or compromising billing meters. The planned detection-bill period would be capped at six months even for domestic consumers.
The public comments on the proposed revisions have been invited by NEPRA and stakeholders have been given 30 days’ time to offer their views till October 25.The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has suggested additional grid-sharing costs for high-rise structures and amendments in electricity connection rules for industrial consumers.
Proposed revisions to the Consumer Service Manual state that buildings using dedicated transformers with a capacity of over 500 kVA would be made to pay grid-sharing charges.
Even under current regulations, buildings of ground plus three storeys are not considered to be multi-storey or high-rise buildings and are hence not required to pay grid-sharing payments. The suggested revisions would alter the existing setup.
NEPRA also suggested that distribution companies may be allowed to provide multiple industrial, commercial or bulk supply connections at the same premises, with up to three feeders and combined load of up to 15 megawatts, subject to technical feasibility and availability of capacity at the existing grid station.
The proposed adjustments also affect fees for industrial and steel furnace customers, and revise the conditions for interim disconnections and reconnections.
Distribution firms may also be permitted to impose detection bills for up to 12 months for registered consumers employing fraudulent meters, changing meter readings through software or Bluetooth devices, freezing load profiles or compromising billing meters. The planned detection-bill period would be capped at six months even for domestic consumers.
ISLAMABAD: NEPRA has floated the proposed revisions for public comments and has given 30 days time to the stakeholders to express their opinions by October 25.
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OpenAI says its AI agents weakened internal monitoring system
Two of OpenAI’s artificial intelligence agents turned off sections of an internal monitoring system designed to identify misbehaviour, the latest example of AI agents operating in ways the developers did not expect, the company said Tuesday.
While the ChatGPT maker stated the incidences occurred during internal code work and were not considered its most serious, the disclosure underscores how even the methods developers use to spot AI misbehavior are vulnerable to the agents they monitor.
The discovery also comes amid rising fears that efforts on AI safety are failing to keep pace with the rapid development of ever more powerful systems. Scientists have cautioned about the emergence of powerful AI agents becoming increasingly autonomous and difficult to monitor and manage.
In recent months, developers including IPO-bound rivals OpenAI and Anthropic have disclosed incidents where their AI agents accessed external systems without authorisation.
In a blog post Tuesday, OpenAI reported that a GPT-6.1 Sol agent on an internal testing task on October 3 disabled automatic security alarms after interpreting an earlier order not to send Slack messages as also covering safety notifications.
Separately, on Oct. 6, an Astra agent using GPT-6 removed a safety monitor when copying an existing piece of code and later stated falsely that it did not do so, OpenAI said.“In both cases, agents thought about keeping monitoring safeguards in place but “interpreted normal coding instructions as permission to weaken them,” the company said.
“OpenAI said it was making it harder for models to disable monitoring, saying it does not ‘yet have a satisfying explanation for this behavior’.
The San Francisco-based company said it was studying whether its models would be inclined to avoid being observed and seek out reasons to justify such behaviour.
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Makkah pact aims to strengthen collective deterrence among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye
Turkiye sent a defence treaty with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to parliament for ratification on Tuesday, three parliamentary sources said, bringing NATO’s second-largest army closer to a formal mutual defence promise with Riyadh as it fears Houthi threats.
The three countries signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in August, under which an armed attack on one member is an attack on all.
The first clause of the agreement says the parties shall use “all necessary means” to eradicate threats to each other’s territorial integrity, sovereignty or internationally recognised borders, according to a text seen by Reuters.Article 2 of the agreement states, “If one of the parties is subjected to an armed attack or military aggression by another country or group of countries, the parties shall immediately render assistance to the party which is under attack, with all means of mutual assistance at their disposal.”
Similar to NATO’s Article 5, the clause references Article 51 of the UN Charter, which deals with the individual or collective right of states to self-defence against armed attack.
The same page says the three countries “will determine the scope and nature of the support to be provided following an objective assessment of the assistance required” and will collaborate within their available resources, including military capabilities and resources.
Earlier this month, the three countries decided in an emergency alliance conference in Riyadh to guarantee the “rapid deployment” of military forces and capabilities in Saudi Arabia.
Turkiye, which has its own strong defence sector, has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, showed a willingness to help satisfy Riyadh’s military technology demands and agreed to join a Saudi-led coalition to assure navigational safety in the Red Sea.
The pact also foresees tight cooperation on the defence sector, exchange of information, logistical support, and the fight against “all forms of terrorism”, including at the operational level.
Parliamentary approval is required for Turkiye to formally sign off on the pact.
The aim is to “strengthen collective deterrence”
Two sources claimed Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, who is on a visit to Kyrgyzstan, would send the deal to the foreign affairs commission of parliament after he returns. The terms and specifics of the agreement are expected to be released when it is filed with the commission.
The commission may discuss the accord as early as Friday, another person added.
Turkiye’s latest move was an important milestone in the institutionalisation of strategic collaboration between the three countries, Burhanettin Duran, communications director for President Tayyip Erdogan, stated.“This strategic partnership between our countries aims to strengthen collective deterrence, improve joint capabilities in the defence sector and secure security and stability in our region,” Duran said in a post on X.
A Turkish official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Turkey’s own contribution was likely to be limited to military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems, and no other form of deployment had been made under the alliance so far.
“The Mecca Agreement is not a ‘offensive agreement,’ and Turkiye would not send forces to another nation to conduct out operations on its land. When asked how Turkiye could help Saudi Arabia fight against attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan responded
Turkey’s constitution needs independent parliamentary approval for any deployment of military overseas, regardless of international agreements.
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Pakistan decide not to participate in Over-50s Cricket World Cup 2027 in India
– Pakistan have decided not to participate in the Over-50 Cricket World Cup 2027 scheduled to take place in India after failing to secure government permission for the tournament.
The competition is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad Deccan from January 23 to February 7, 2027. Pakistan was due to participate as defending champions after winning the 2025 edition in Sri Lanka.
Fawad Ejaz Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), said Indian veterans cricket officials had assured the Pakistani team of visa arrangements and high-level security for the tournament.
He said the association had sought permission to participate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior. However, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi subsequently informed the association that permission would not be granted.
Following the government’s decision, the association decided against sending the team to India, Khan said, adding that the organisation respected the government’s position.
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