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Aleem Malik

  • Pakistan’s IT, banking sectors ‘using’ Indian products

    Pakistan’s IT, banking sectors ‘using’ Indian products

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government has cautioned the ministries, and divisions after it emerged that Pakistan’s Information Technology sector, fintech and banking sector are using Indian-made products, ARY News reported on Tuesday, quoting sources. 

    The use of Indian-made products is posing a direct threat of Indian interference in Pakistan’s IT sector.

    After the revelation, the caretaker federal government dispatched letters to federal ministries, divisions, and provinces, recommending the discontinuation of the use of Indian products in these correspondences.

    The use of Indian products poses a threat to vital information in the Pakistani banking sector, the sources said and added there is a concern about the misuse of data and personal information due to the presence of malware.

    Read more: ECP’s website faces cyber attack, security alert issued

    The government has advised users to avoid the use of Indian-origin artificial intelligence products. The above sectors have been advised to consult with the Pakistan Software Export Board for alternative products.

    In July, the ECP’s website was targeted in a cyber attack. Following the attack, security alerts were issued, instructing the officers affiliated with the election commission to ignore unknown emails.

  • Shamshad Akhtar removed as Privatization Minister

    Shamshad Akhtar removed as Privatization Minister

    ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has removed Shamshad Akhtar as Ministry for Privatization, ARY News reported citing sources. 

    According to sources, the caretaker government has taken major steps regarding the authority to negotiate agreements with other countries.

    Sources said that the Finance Minister has also been removed as head of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions. Whereas Fawad Hasan Fawad is expected to become the Federal Minister for Privatization, sources added.

    Earlier reports emerged that the minister told the Senate’s Standing Committee on Finance that she sometimes wonders why she took the job. However, reports said that she added that the comments had been made on a lighter note.

    She also told the committee that the state of the economy was worse than she expected and that the caretaker government would provide a roadmap soon.

    However, later in her clarification statement Caretaker Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar said that comments about wondering why she took up a post in the cabinet were ‘misinterpreted’.

    In the video, Shamshad Akhtar said that she had said that many people asked her why she had taken up the job of finance minister in such challenging times.

    However, Shamshad Akhtar added that it was an honour to be able to serve Pakistan at such a time. The clarification was issued as a video by Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on X, former Tiwtter.

  • Electricity tariff likely to be hiked again by Rs10.32/unit

    Electricity tariff likely to be hiked again by Rs10.32/unit

    ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) is likely to increase the power tariff for K-Electric consumers by Rs10.32/unit on account of three different fuel adjustments, ARY News reported on Monday. 

    The government has moved the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to increase the power tariff for three adjustments i-e October to December 2022-23, July to K-Electric September 2022 and April to June.

    Collectively the government has sought Rs10.32/unit rise from the NEPRA. The power regulator will hear the government’s plea on September 11.

    It may be noted that people belonging to various walks of life have been protesting against the high tariff of electricity from Karachi to Khyber.

    Read more: On protests against inflated electricity bills

    On Sunday, Jamaat-e-Islami decided to stage protest sit-ins at all governor houses against inflated electricity bills.

    “We will stage sit-ins in front of governor houses in all four provinces and observe wheel-jam strike along with traders and transports if the government refuses to reduce electricity bills,” talking to media JI Ameer Sirajul Haq said.

    He thanked traders and other people for their support in a successful strike adding that it gave a message that the people won’t accept these agreements made by the previous governments.

  • Waseem Mukhtar appointed new Nepra chairman

    Waseem Mukhtar appointed new Nepra chairman

    ISLAMABAD: Waseem Mukhtar, Special Secretary Cabinet Division, has been appointed as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) chairman for four years, ARY News reported on Wednesday citing sources.

    The federal cabinet has approved the appointment of Nepra chief through circulation summary.

    The selection committee, headed by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Division Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and comprising the Secretary of Cabinet Division, Secretary of Power Division, Additional Secretary of Cabinet Division and Additional Secretary of Establishment Division as members, conducted interviews of 24 candidates and shortlisted three candidates on Monday (August 7), placing Wasim Mukhtar on the top, Abid Latif at second and Rafique Ahmed Shaikh at third position.

    The list of three candidates was sent to the prime minister who selected Waseem Mukhtar as Nepra chairman.

    Who is Waseem Mukhtar?

    Mukhtar is equipped with vast experience in the power sector. He remained an Additional Secretary in the Power Division during his stay of four years and five months from Feb 2018 to Jun 2022. He served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Power Purchase Agency (CPPA) for one year and eleven months from June 2020 to April 2022.

    He acted as Managing Director of PEPCO (Pakistan Electric Power Company) for two years and eight months from July 2018 to February 2021.

    He also acted as Managing Director of NEECA (National Energy Efficiency Conservation Agency) for one year and eight months, from April 2018 to November 2019.

  • Govt notifies seventh census results

    Govt notifies seventh census results

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Monday notified the results of the seventh census after approval from the Council of Common Interests (CCI), ARY News reported.

    According to a notification, Pakistan’s population has crossed 241 million including 147.7 million rural and 93.7 million urban population.

    Province-wise, Punjab’s population has reached 127.7 million, and Sindh’s population is recorded at 55.6 million, as per the results of the digital census.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s population has reached 40.8 million, while Balochistan’s population was recorded at 14.8 million, the notification said and added Islamabad’s population has reached 2.36 million.

    According to these figures, the population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa increased by 2.38 percent, Punjab 2.53 percent, Sindh 2.57 percent and Balochistan 3.2 percent.

    Read more: CCI approves results of Population Census 2023

    Earlier, the Council of Common Interests approved the results of the digital Population and Housing Census 2023. The approval of digital census results was the key agenda of the CCI session today with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in chair.

    The Ministry of Planning and Development briefed the CCI session on the digital census results for approval from the constitutional forum.

  • NEPRA notifies Rs7.5 per unit hike in base power tariff

    NEPRA notifies Rs7.5 per unit hike in base power tariff

    ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Thursday notified a massive increase in the base tariffs of electricity by up to Rs7.50 per unit at the request of the federal government.

    In a notification, the power regulatory authority said the new tariffs would be effective from July 1, 2023.

    The lifeline consumers will be exempted from the recent power tariff hike. The protected consumers using 200 units in a month will not be affected from the base tariff hike.

    The power tariff will be increased to Rs16.48 per unit after the hike of Rs3 for consumers using up to 100 units in a month.

    According to the notification, for consuming 101 to 200 units, the tariff was increased by Rs4, taking it to Rs22.95 per unit.

    Similarly, the power tariff has been increased by Rs5 for users consuming 201 to 300 units, taking it to Rs27.14 per unit.

    For consuming 301 to 400 units, the tariff was jacked up by by Rs6.5, taking it to Rs32.03 per unit. For consuming 401 to 500 units, the power tariff will be increased by Rs7.5, taking it to Rs35.24 per unit

    For consuming 501 to 600 units, the tariff will be increased by Rs7.5, taking it to Rs36.66 per unit

    For consuming more than 700 units, the power tariff will be increased by Rs7.5, taking it to Rs42.72 per unit. After the inclusion of sales tax, Rs50.41 per unit will be charged at maximum.

    The per unit electricity cost, Rs3.95, will remain same for the lifeline consumers using 50 units in a month.

    The per unit electricity cost, Rs7.74, will remain same for the lifeline consumers using 51 to 100 units in a month.

  • NEPRA approves Rs7.5 per unit hike in base power tariff

    NEPRA approves Rs7.5 per unit hike in base power tariff

    ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved the federal government’s request to hike the base power tariff by Rs7.5 per unit, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

    After approving the massive hike in the base power tariff, the regulatory authority forwarded the matter to the federal government for the issuance of a notification.

    The power tariff hike will be taken into effect on July 1 after the issuance of a notification.

    READ: NEPRA hikes base power tariff by Rs4.96 per unit

    The lifeline consumers will be exempted from the recent power tariff hike. The protected consumers using 200 units in a month will not be affected from the base tariff hike.

    The power tariff will be increased to Rs16.48 per unit after the hike of Rs3 for the consumers using up to 100 units in a month.

    For consuming 101 to 200 units, the tariff will be increased by Rs4, taking it to Rs22.95 per unit.

    For consuming 201 to 300 units, the tariff will be increased by Rs5, taking it to Rs27.14 per unit.

    READ: Govt okays massive hike in power tariff on IMF demand

    For consuming 301 to 400 units, the tariff will be increased by Rs6.5, taking it to Rs32.03 per unit.

    For consuming 401 to 500 units, the tariff will be increased by Rs7.5, taking it to Rs35.24 per unit.

    For consuming 501 to 600 units, the tariff will be increased by Rs7.5, taking it to Rs36.66 per unit.

    For consuming more than 700 units, the tariff will be increased by Rs7.5, taking it to Rs42.72 per unit.

    After the inclusion of sales tax, Rs50.41 per unit will be charged at maximum.

    The per unit electricity cost, Rs3.95, will remain same for the lifeline consumers using 50 units in a month.

    The per unit electricity cost, Rs7.74, will remain same for the lifeline consumers using 51 to 100 units in a month.

    For protected consumers using 1 to 100 units, the per unit cost will be Rs7.74, Rs10.06 per unit for the protected consumers using 101 to 200 units in a month.

  • IMF-Pakistan deal: Govt all set to hike gas prices

    IMF-Pakistan deal: Govt all set to hike gas prices

    ISLAMABAD: Th federal government is all set to hike the gas price to meet the International Monetary Fund (IMF) condition, ARY News reported. 

    As per details, the petroleum division has informed OGRA about working on the gas prices. After the increase in power tariffs, gas prices will now be increased.

    Sources within the power ministry said that the government has given written assurance to IMF about the increase in gas prices and the work will be presented in the next ECC meeting.

    The last three slabs have used 300 to 400 cubic meters monthly. The MMBTU price for the consumption of up to 300 cubic meters will pay Rs 1100 and for up to 300 cubic meters, the price will be Rs 2000.

    Read more: IMF-Pakistan deal: Electricity prices to go up to control circular debt

    Earlier, Pakistan assured International Monetary Fund (IMF) to increase electricity prices in the current FY2023-24 to control the increasing circular debt of the power sector.

    Sources knowing the matter said Pakistan’s finance ministry and IMF have finalized the plan to control the circular debt in the current financial year.

    It is pertinent to mention here that the International Monetary Fund (IMF)  approved a $3 billion loan for Pakistan after signing the staff-level agreement last month. The loan was approved by the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    The International Monetary Fund directed to immediately disburse $1.2 billion while the remaining $1.8 billion will be scheduled in November and February in two installments after reviewing the policies.

  • NEPRA increases power tariff for K-Electric consumers

    NEPRA increases power tariff for K-Electric consumers

    ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has notified an increase of Rs1.44 per unit in the power tariff for K-Electric (KE) consumers on monthly fuel adjustment charges, ARY News reported on Friday.

    According to the notification issued by the power regulator authority, the hike in the power tariff for K-Electric consumers was approved on account of fuel charge adjustment (FCA) for May.

    In a notification issued on Friday, the regulator said it had “decided to allow (Rs1.44 per unit) positive fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for May, to be passed on to the consumers in their monthly bills of July”.

    Meanwhile, the increase in electricity tariff will not be applicable to lifeline consumers, the notification stated.

    Earlier in the day, it was reported that NEPRA is set to increase electricity base tariff for the ongoing financial year 2023-24 in response to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) disbursement of $1.2 billion under the recently approved $3 billion bailout deal.

    Read More: NEPRA hikes electricity tariff for KE consumers

    Sources privy to the matter told ARY News that the regulator will jack up electricity base tariff by Rs4.96 per unit. “The power regulatory authority will forward its decision to federal cabinet today,” they say, adding that the final decision on the increase in power tariff would be taken by cabinet.

    Previously, NEPRA had developed three possibilities for a new base tariff: below Rs. 8 per unit, below Rs. 7 per unit, and below Rs. 6 per unit. Earlier, it determined the base tariff increase of up to Rs. 5 per unit.

    IMF bailout

    Pakistan on Thursday received the first tranche of $1.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund under the SBA programme.

    Dar said the remaining $1.8 would be released after two reviews, meaning that there would be two instalments.

    Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $3 billion loan for Pakistan after signing the staff-level agreement last month.

  • Govt set to hike power tariff by Rs4.96 per unit

    Govt set to hike power tariff by Rs4.96 per unit

    ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) is set to increase electricity base tariff for the ongoing financial year 2023-24 in response to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) disbursement of $1.2 billion under the recently approved $3 billion bailout deal, ARY News reported on Friday citing sources.

    Sources privy to the matter told ARY News that the regulator will jack up electricity base tariff by Rs4.96 per unit. “The power regulatory authority will forward its decision to federal cabinet today,” they say, adding that the final decision on the increase in power tariff would be taken by cabinet.

    Previously, NEPRA had developed three possibilities for a new base tariff: below Rs. 8 per unit, below Rs. 7 per unit, and below Rs. 6 per unit. Earlier, it determined the base tariff increase of up to Rs. 5 per unit.

    ‘Govt likely to present mini-budget’

    Pakistan is likely to introduce a mini-budget as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sought a plan for ‘better tax’ collection from property and agriculture sectors.

    The international lender has sought a plan of better tax collection for the second review of the Stand-By-Arrangement (SBA) of $3 billion.

    Sources having knowledge of the matter said that IMF is pushing Pakistan for better tax collection from property and agriculture sectors after increasing the ratio of tax.

    The decision to slap tax on property and agriculture sectors will be taken by the new government, the sources said and a mini-budget is likely to be introduced if the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) approves the IMF’s plan.

    IMF bailout

    Pakistan on Thursday received the first tranche of $1.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund under the SBA programme.

    Dar said the remaining $1.8 would be released after two reviews, meaning that there would be two instalments.

    Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $3 billion loan for Pakistan after signing the staff-level agreement last month.