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ARY NEWS

Aleem Malik

  • NEPRA hikes power tariff for Karachiites

    NEPRA hikes power tariff for Karachiites

    ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) approved K-Electric’s (KE) request for a hike in electricity tariff for Karachi consumers, ARY News reported.

    The price of electricity has been increased by Rs 5.75 per unit under fuel adjustment for May and June. The KE’s consumers will be charged in the bills of October and November

    According to NEPRA’s notification, the price of electricity has been increased by Rs 2.59 per unit for May’s fuel adjustment and Rs 3.17 per unit for June’s fuel adjustment.

    The increase in electricity prices for KE consumers is expected to add a burden of over Rs 10 billion on Karachiites.

    The NEPRA heard KE’s request for provisional monthly fuel charge adjustments (FCA) on July 30. The regulatory issued its decision on KE’s requests for FCA at PKR 2.53 and PKR 2.92 per kWh for May and June 2024 respectively after scrutiny.

    Read More: NEPRA approves Rs 2.56 per unit hike in power tariff

    Earlier on August 8, the NEPRA announced an increase in electricity tariff by Rs 2.56 per unit. As per the notification issued by NEPRA, the hike comes as part of the monthly fuel adjustment for the month of June, while the consumers will see the extra charges reflected in their August bills.

    The increase was not applicable to Lifeline consumers or K Electric customers.

  • DISCOs ‘asked’ to provide estimate for electricity relief in Punjab

    DISCOs ‘asked’ to provide estimate for electricity relief in Punjab

    LAHORE: The Punjab government has directed five distribution companies (DISCOs) to provide estimates for electricity relief to consumers in the province, ARY News reported citing sources.

    According to sources, the government has decided to provide a 14 rupee per unit subsidy to electricity consumers in Punjab.

    Sources said that the Punjab government has asked the DISCOs to submit their estimates by August 19. The companies have been directed to provide details of the financial requirements for providing relief to consumers.

    The provincial government has written separate letters to five DISCOs, including Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala Electric Companies.

    The 14 rupee per unit relief will be launched on a targeted basis, starting from 201 to 500 units per month. The relief will be applicable on electricity bills for August and September 2024.

    Read More: Nawaz Sharif announces major relief for electricity consumers

    On Friday, former Prime Minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif has announced a major relief for electricity consumers in Punjab, with focus on providing relief to low-income households

    Addressing a press conference, the PML-N supremo stated that consumers using up to 500 units of electricity will receive a relief of Rs 14 per unit.

    Sharif praised Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz for her efforts in providing relief to the people and announced that she will be launching a solar panel scheme to provide further relief.

    He added that the Punjab government has allocated Rs 700 billion for the solar panel scheme, which will help further reduce electricity bills in the future.

    The relief package includes a relief of Rs 14 per unit for consumers using up to 500 units, which will cost the Punjab government Rs 45 billion.

  • PTA head summoned over social media disruption in Pakistan

    PTA head summoned over social media disruption in Pakistan

    ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT has sought an explanation from the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Hafiz Rehman, regarding the ongoing nationwide social media disruption, ARY News reported.

    As per details, the committee, chaired by Amin ul Haq, has asked Rehman to provide reasons for the disruption in social media services.

    The committee has also requested details about the nationwide internet service disruption and weak mobile signals. The Attorney General of Pakistan has also been invited to the committee’s meeting, scheduled for August 21 at the Parliament House.

    It is pertinent to mention here that internet services are currently down across Pakistan, with the exact cause of the disruption yet to be identified.

    Preliminary reports suggested that the disruption is likely linked to international traffic rather than the local network.

    Notably, Meta platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, continue to function despite the widespread disruption.

    Read More: Internet services disrupted nationwide

    Sources said that Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) officials have identified a fault in the underground submarine cable as a potential cause of the disruption.

    This fault has impacted internet service across the country, according to sources within PTCL.

    Internet firewall

    Earlier, the Pakistan government had decided to install a firewall across the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to control social media days after Punjab govt enacted the Defamation Law 2024.

    Sources told ARY News that the government had decided to install a firewall to control social media and regulate internet traffic. The firewall will be equipped with deep packet inspection (DPI) technology, allowing for the monitoring of data up to seventh layer.

    Read More: Internet services disrupted nationwide

    The firewall will enable the government to filter social media data, identify and block propaganda points, and restrict access to prohibited content.

    Internet service providers (ISPs) will be required to install the firewall, with the government bearing some of the costs.

    Sources claimed that the firewall will have the capability to block data at the IP level, and ISPs will be bound to take measures to block illegal content under the licensing agreement.

  • Govt slashes petrol price

    Govt slashes petrol price

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government slashed the prices of petroleum products ‘as a gift’ to the people on the eve of Independence Day, ARY News reported.

    The price of petrol has been reduced by Rs 8.47 to Rs 260.96 per litre.

    High-speed diesel has been reduced by Rs 6.07 per litre, making the new price Rs 266.07 per litre.

    Earlier in the day, it was reported that the prices of petrol and diesel in Pakistan would be decreased by Rs 11 and Rs 7 per litre respectively.

    The new prices will be in effect from Thursday, 14th August.

    This adjustment in fuel prices came as welcome news for consumers, as it could lead to lower transportation and production costs across the country.

    Earlier to this, the government slashed the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) for the next fortnight by Rs6.17 and Rs10.86, respectively.

    The Ministry of Finance issued a notification following an approval from Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif.

    According to the notification, the price of petrol has been reduced by Rs6.17 per liter, making the new price Rs269.43 per liter. Similarly, the price of diesel has been reduced by Rs10.86 per liter, setting the new price Rs272.77 per liter.

  • PTA to ‘block SIMs’ in three phases: Check out all the details

    PTA to ‘block SIMs’ in three phases: Check out all the details

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has devised a plan to block Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) of users in three phases, ARY News reported on Monday, citing sources. 

    According to sources within PTA, the authority has received data from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the process to block the sims will start on August 16.

    The details stated that SIMs registered on the fake and canceled CNICs would be blocked in the first phase, while in the second phase, SIMs registered at expired CNICs to be blocked.

    In the third and final phase SIMs registered under CNICs of deceased persons will be blocked, the sources said.

    Furthermore, the subscribers have started receiving messages on their SIMs.

    Read more: IHC bars govt from blocking non-filers’ SIMs

    Separately, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) barred the federal government from blocking the Subscriber Identity Modules of non-filers.

    IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq issued the order in response to a writ petition filed by the telecom operator.

    The petition challenged Clause 114-B of the Income Tax Ordinance and the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Income Tax General Orders against non-filers.

    The petitioner argued that the tax regulator’s new-found authority violated the fundamental right to freedom of business under Article 18 of the Constitution.

  • Internet services disrupted nationwide

    Internet services disrupted nationwide

    Internet services are currently down across Pakistan, with the exact cause of the disruption yet to be identified. 

    Preliminary reports suggest that the disruption is likely linked to international traffic rather than the local network.

    Notably, Meta platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, continue to function despite the widespread disruption.

    Sources said that Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) officials have identified a fault in the underground submarine cable as a potential cause of the disruption.

    This fault has impacted internet service across the country, according to sources within PTCL.

    Internet firewall

    Earlier, the Pakistan government had decided to install a firewall across the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to control social media days after Punjab govt enacted the Defamation Law 2024.

    Sources told ARY News that the government had decided to install a firewall to control social media and regulate internet traffic. The firewall will be equipped with deep packet inspection (DPI) technology, allowing for the monitoring of data up to seventh layer.

    The firewall will enable the government to filter social media data, identify and block propaganda points, and restrict access to prohibited content.

    Internet service providers (ISPs) will be required to install the firewall, with the government bearing some of the costs.

    Read More: Gazette notification for Punjab Defamation Bill 2024 issued

    Sources claimed that the firewall will have the capability to block data at the IP level, and ISPs will be bound to take measures to block illegal content under the licensing agreement.

    The installation of the firewall falls under the authority of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), according to the Ministry of IT.

  • Govt to empower oil industry to regulate petroleum prices

    Govt to empower oil industry to regulate petroleum prices

    ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government decided on Wednesday to regulating its responsibility of setting petroleum prices, instead opting to delegate the authority to oil marketing companies, ARY News reported.  

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to end its control over price determination, paving the way for a phased transfer of regulating power to oil marketing companies.

    Following the prime minister’s directive, Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik has summoned an important meeting for tomorrow to discuss the details of the plan.

    The Chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has been tasked to prepare a report on the effects of deregulating prices and develop a framework for implementation.

    The final framework for deregulating petroleum prices will be presented to the Prime Minister for approval.

    Earlier in April, Petroleum dealers in Pakistan warned of shutting down business as the government was reportedly working to deregulate petroleum products’ prices.

    In a statement, Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) Chairman Abdul Sami Khan rejected the likely move, saying that it will result in hiked prices of petroleum products in far-flung areas.

    According to the PPDA chief, the move to deregulate petroleum prices will bring skyrocketing inflation in the country.

    Khan said that the petroleum dealers have been urging against the move for years and the government has also promised that it will not take such a measure.

  • PM Shehbaz Sharif reconstitutes 6 DISCO boards

    PM Shehbaz Sharif reconstitutes 6 DISCO boards

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reconstituted boards of six power distribution companies over unsatisfactory performance, ARY News reported.

    The prime minister reconstituted six boards including Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), Peshawar Electri Supply (PESCO) Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO) and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO).

    Amer Zia, a power sector consultant, was appointed chairman of two boards (Lahore, and Multan), while Himayatullah Khan will head Peshawar and Hazeco power companies.

    Similarly, Tahir Masood will be the chairman of IESCO board and Omar Farooq has been appointed chairman board of directors of FESCO.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously halted the reconstitution of the boards for SEPCO and HESCO.

    It is worth mentioning here that the federal government recently ‘okayed’ deputation of Federal Investigation Officers (FIA) officers to electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to end power theft.

    The move was taken to end power theft and enhance recoveries on the demand of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the sources said.

    In this regard, a letter has been penned to the Power Division regarding the deputation of FIA officers in five DISCOs including Islamabad Electric Supply Company, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Tribal Areas and Quetta Electric Supply Companies.

    It is to be noted that FIA officers are already deputed in Peshawar, Sukkur and Hyderabad Electric Supply Companies.

  • Mari concludes Ghazij appraisal program

    Mari concludes Ghazij appraisal program

    ISLAMABAD: Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) on Monday announced the successful completion of the appraisal program for Ghazij gas discovery, a significant stride towards addressing Pakistan’s energy needs and enhancing food security.

    Discovered in January 2023 within the Mari Development and Production Lease area, the Ghazij gas field has unlocked new hydrocarbon opportunities in the mature basins, said the press release.

    MPCL’s fast track appraisal campaign, which included drilling of four appraisal wells, has confirmed the field’s potential, it added.

    “All five gas wells (one exploratory and four appraisal) are now connected to the SNGPL network, delivering approximately 30 MMSCFD of gas as part of Extended Well Testing (ETW) program. The Field Development Plan is underway and will soon be submitted for regulatory approval.

    “Additionally, the Shawal Oil discovery announced in April 2024, which falls in a separate fault block to the eastern side of Ghazij wells, has upside potential for gas in Ghazij Reservoir which is currently under evaluation,” the statement added.

    Faheem Haider, MD/CEO of MPCL, hailed the Ghazij Appraisal Program as a major milestone. He emphasized that the data gathered has confirmed the discovery’s technical and commercial viability, paving the way for efficient and cost-effective development.

    Haider underscored Pakistan’s untapped hydrocarbon potential, urging technical teams to remain innovative and bold in exploring and testing new geological concepts and deploy new technologies wherever possible.

  • Pakistan approves Rs5.72/unit power tariff hike

    Pakistan approves Rs5.72/unit power tariff hike

    ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved an increase of Rs5.72 per unit in the basic power tariff through circulation, ARY News reported on Thursday, citing sources.

    As per details, the hike was approved by the federal cabinet through a circulation summary, the source said.

    The decision will be sent to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) for uniform tariff implementation, sources added.

    The Power Division will file an application with NEPRA regarding the tariff hike.

    NEPRA made this decision for the fiscal year 2024-2025, with the implementation set to begin on July 1, 2024. The average basic electricity tariff was approved to be raised from Rs 29.78 to Rs 35.50 per unit.

    Read more: Pakistan’s power sector caused Rs403bln loss in FY2022-23: Nepra

    Pakistan’s power sector caused a Rs403 billion loss in FY2022-23, revealed the National Electronic Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) report.

    The progress report of the power distribution companies including K-Electric was released by the NEPRA, indicating nine distribution companies including K-Electric failed to achieve 100pc recovery.

    The line losses and low recoveries caused a loss of Rs403 bln to the national kitty, the report said. The report highlighted that the companies did not buy the electricity as per the assigned quota.

    The companies carrying out loadshedding ‘deliberately’ as they are not buying electricity as per their quotas, the report said.