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Report: Pakistan 3rd Biggest Importer of Solar Panels in the World

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Pakistan has become the third largest importer of solar panels in the world after buying 17 gigawatts (GW) of solar power systems in 2024 as per the Pakistan Climate Prosperity Plan (CPP) jointly established by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Climate Change.

Pakistan’s imports of solar products more than quadrupled from a year earlier, a jump that reflects a surge in demand as electricity tariffs climb and global prices for solar panels decrease, the report said.

The report sets out an ambitious plan for reforming the country’s energy industry with the goal of 60% clean energy by 2030, increasing the share of renewable sources to 50% of electricity output by 2035, and 95% renewable electricity generation by 2040.

It also aims to retire or convert 14,000 megawatts (MW) of fossil fuel power plants by 2035, cut transmission and distribution losses from 19% to 8%, ensure universal access to electricity and install rooftop solar systems in all government secondary schools by 2035.

The research said Pakistan’s power sector continues to experience escalating financial strain from costly power purchase agreements (PPAs), variable international fuel costs and currency depreciation, which have led to increasing energy tariffs and an increasing circular debt burden.

The report says the country has often paid for costly power generation capacity that is not used much, highlighting the need to cut the dependence on imported fossil fuels by growing indigenous renewable energy sources including solar, wind, hydropower and biomass.

It says that a speedier switch to renewable energy will improve energy security, cut the cost of fuel imports, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ease strain on foreign exchange reserves while helping to bring down electricity prices for consumers.

The paper advises major investment in large-scale solar and wind projects, battery storage systems and modernising Pakistan’s electricity grid to increase dependability as renewable energy output expands.

It also advocates for reforming expensive power purchase agreements, implementing more cost-reflective electricity rates and gradually decommissioning inefficient fossil fuel power facilities to assist confront the country’s circular debt dilemma.

The report also demands the setting up of transparent competitive auctions for new renewable energy projects and the reinforcement of credit guarantees to attract more private investment, thereby freeing up fiscal space to improve the national power infrastructure and to sustain long-term energy reforms.

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An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 occurs close to Naples, Italy, resulting in damage and disruptions.

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  • A magnitude 4.7 earthquake hit the Campi Flegrei area near the southern Italian city of Naples on Friday, causing power cuts, disrupting train and metro services and damaging some buildings, authorities said.

The quake was registered around 7.46 pm (1746 GMT). Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology stated the epicentre was in the Campi Flegrei area west of Naples at a depth of around 3 km (2 miles).

The Italian fire department said there had been minimal damage to buildings in and around Naples, but workers had not received immediate demands for help or rescue of occupants.

Local rail and metro services were suspended as a precaution, local officials said.

According to Italian media, it was one of the greatest earthquakes ever registered in the region, with people in some areas pouring into the street as the tremors hit.

The government has increased surveillance of the heavily populated volcanic caldera of Campi Flegrei, which spans much of western Naples and has seen growing seismic activity in the past several years.

The region is regularly hit by tiny quakes but greater ones have stoked fears of a repetition of the seismic ⁠crisis that rocked Campi Flegrei in the early 1980s, disrupting life across the region and forcing thousands of people from their homes.

Italy is a country at risk of earthquakes.

Central Italy was hit by severe quakes in 2016, destroying areas of Lazio, Umbria and the Marche provinces, killing over 300 people.

The most destructive in recent decades was a 6.9-magnitude quake that rocked the Irpinia region of southern Italy in November 1980, killing over 2,700 people and destroying hundreds of villages.

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For three days, Pakistan lowers the price of petrol and diesel.

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For a three-day period starting on August 1, the government has announced a slight decrease in the cost of petroleum products, including gasoline and high-speed diesel (HSD).

The Petroleum Division said that the price of high-speed diesel has been lowered by Rs0.66 per litre, resulting in a new retail price of Rs392.38 per litre.

Additionally, the price of gasoline has been lowered by Rs0.12 per litre, to Rs336.03 per litre.

According to the letter, the updated pricing will go into effect between August 1 and August 3.

According to the administration, the little cut was taken after accounting for both domestic economic and budgetary factors as well as global oil costs.

In light of persistent economic pressures and swings in the world’s crude oil markets, the most recent adjustment provides customers with little respite.

The most recent update comes after the government regularly reviews fuel costs, which are decided by the currency rate, domestic tax laws, and global market trends.

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FBR surpasses its July revenue goal by Rs40 billion.

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In July 2026, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs820 billion in net revenue, exceeding the monthly target by Rs40 billion.

The July tax collection target was set at Rs780 billion, but net receipts came in at Rs820 billion, according to FBR documents.

According to the papers, gross tax collections for the month totaled Rs918 billion. Net receipts were Rs820 billion after Rs98 billion of this sum was reimbursed to taxpayers under different refund categories.

Gross collections under the income tax head was Rs343 billion. Net income tax revenues fell short of the objective of Rs323 billion, coming in at Rs308 billion after the payment of Rs35 billion in refunds.

In July, sales tax collections came to Rs413 billion, while sales tax refunds were Rs53 billion.

The Federal Excise Duty (FED) collected Rs48 billion, compared to the objective of Rs47 billion, according to the FBR.

In July 2026, customs duty receipts totaled Rs115 billion, surpassing the designated objective of Rs105 billion by Rs10 billion.

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