KP formulates strategy aimed at recovering NHP dues
The provincial government, after comprehensive consultations, has finalised several practical proposals, which will be presented in a key meeting with federal authorities this week.
In this regard, a meeting of the 'Out-of-Box Solution Committee' was held in the Energy and Power, department, KP under the chairmanship of former provincial minister and chairman of PESCO Board, Himayatullah Khan.
The meeting considered various feasible suggestions and recommendations for protecting the province's financial rights and timely recovery of dues in terms of net hydel profits.
Moreover, the committee's technical member, Secretary Energy and Power Muhammad Zubair Khan, finance member Himayatullah Khan, and CEO Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Transmission Company and focal Person for NHP, Engineer Malik Luqman Hakeem, while presenting suggestions in the meeting, took the position that if the federation seriously wants a permanent solution to this problem, then the energy projects under the administration of WAPDA located within the provincial limits should be handed over to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, or the payment of dues should be ensured under the Qazi formula.
Finally, the proposals formulated in the consultative meeting have been submitted to the Chief Minister of KP, in light of which it has been decided that the points presented by the province will be formally discussed in a high-level meeting with the federal government next week, so that a dignified and lasting solution to this important national issue can be found.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Wings of Azadi
As Pakistan's green and white flag soars proudly across the skies this Independence Day, there is more than just patriotic fervour sweeping through the streets of Pakistan - there is triumph. This 14 August is not a mere ritual of remembrance; it is a thunderous, soul-stirring celebration of Resilience, Revival and Victory. A nation forged in fire now roars in glory, galvanised by the valiant performance of its defenders, especially Pakistan Air Force - the sharpened sword of Pakistan's military might. In a region where peace is perennially precarious and geopolitics a high-stakes game of nerve, Pakistan's resolve was once again tested and answered with unflinching strength. The recent military standoff with India did not merely mark another chapter in the longstanding rivalry; it redefined the very balance of power in South Asia. At the epicentre of this recalibration stood Pakistan Air Force, not just responding to a threat but reshaping the Doctrine of Deterrence. At the helm of this transformation is Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, whose leadership has catapulted PAF into a new age of warfare. Under his command, our Air Force has evolved from a conventional air wing into a modern, multi-domain force executing complex operations with surgical precision, cyber sophistication and space-age readiness. If deterrence in the past was about numbers, today it is about vision and ACM Sidhu has become its living embodiment. The recent operation Zarb-e-Karrar was not just a military manoeuvre; it was a masterclass in modern war-fighting. It showcased Pakistan's shift from Reactive Defence to Proactive Strategic Dominance. PAF's orchestration of integrated air campaigns synchronised with Space, Cyber, UAVs and Electronic Warfare elements, stunned observers across the globe. In the face of an adversary heavily investing in conventional build-ups and international optics, Pakistan's silent resolve and technological ingenuity spoke louder. The airwaves did not just carry missiles, they carried a message: Pakistan is prepared, Pakistan is potent, Pakistan will prevail. It was this formidable show of unity, competence and deterrence that forced India's hand towards de-escalation. The myth of imbalance was shattered in real time, replaced by a sobering recognition that the real edge lies not in hardware, but in how it's wielded. And it was wielded by PAF with finesse, clarity and overwhelming superiority. From the integration of next-generation drones and state of the art platforms to real-time ISR capabilities and AI-assisted battlefield decision-making, Pakistan Air Force's performance was nothing short of revolutionary. But behind the machinery is a mindset — one that embraces change, anticipates threats and stays ahead of the curve. This is the mindset that Air Chief Marshal Sidhu has embedded into the soul of the entire force. As fireworks ignite the August sky, echoing the dogfights of recent weeks, Pakistanis are not just commemorating the past; they are celebrating a present fortified by victory and a future carved by strength. The streets pulse with pride, the songs carry deeper meaning and every salute feels heavier with gratitude. For this Independence Day, PAF has given Pakistan more than just security; it has gifted the nation a renewed sense of Sovereignty, Pride and Hope. From the roaring jets that tore through enemy radars to the quiet confidence of command centres making history in real time, every Pakistani knows: the flag stands taller today because of those who flew and fought beneath it. As the echoes of Marka-e-Haq settle into legend, one truth resounds louder than ever before: Freedom is not just inherited, it is defended — relentlessly. Let the skies bear witness, Pakistan flies free because its Shaheens never fall.
Business Recorder
20 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Amended Seed Act: Tanveer stresses strict enforcement of regulations
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, on Tuesday, stressed strict enforcement of seed regulations under the amended Seed Act to ensure quality and protect farmers' interests. Presiding over the 4th meeting of the Board of Governors (BoG) of the National Seed Development and Regulatory Authority (NSDRA), the minister said 'quality seed is essential for boosting the agricultural sector.' He assured that the government will take all necessary steps to safeguard farmers through rigorous regulation, transparent oversight, and zero tolerance for malpractice in the seed sector. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R), representatives of provincial agriculture departments, research institutions, farmer representative organisations and private sector stakeholders, an official said. The minister stressed the establishment of a Finance and Planning Committee (F&PC) aimed at improving financial governance, ensuring strategic resource planning, and enhancing audit readiness. This measure would guarantee transparency and efficiency within the authority, he said. Regarding the registration of seed companies, Rana Tanveer announced that 'all new companies will be licenced strictly under the amended Seed Act. Companies will be required to meet stringent criteria including infrastructure readiness, financial guarantees, and adherence to quality standards.' He also directed the immediate delisting of dormant or non-compliant companies, stressing that the welfare of farmers must take precedence over commercial interests. The minister approved seed sector reforms, including the pilot implementation of a 'Truth & Labelling' system for cotton seeds. The initiative will be governed by clear eligibility criteria and climate-smart protocols aimed at shielding farmers from substandard seed varieties. In addition, he instructed the Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) to continue assessing seed-related crop loss claims through physical verification, tax number validation, and formal hearings—ensuring swift compensation in legitimate cases. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Failure to achieve financial close: Two key CPEC hydropower projects excluded from IGCEP
ISLAMABAD: The government has excluded two major China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) hydropower projects — totalling 1,824 MW and valuing $4 billion — from the Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2025–35, citing failure to achieve financial closure. 'We have excluded the 1,124 MW Kohala Hydropower Project and the 700.7 MW Azad Pattan Hydropower Project from the IGCEP till 2034, along with other private sector projects,' revealed Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Mohsin Aziz. The committee witnessed heated debate on non-inclusion of the 207 MW Madyan and 88 MW GabralKalam hydropower projects. Brig Tariq Saddozai (Retd), Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) on Energy and Power, argued that both projects were included in the previous IGCEP as committed projects. He stated that despite meeting the criteria set by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in 2021—and being protected under the National Electricity Plan 2023–27—the projects were removed from the latest IGCEP. He added that the provincial government had already invested Rs 14 billion in land and infrastructure for the projects. Saddozai claimed the federal government had 'moved the goalposts,' resulting in the exclusion of KPK's projects from the IGCEP 2025– and the Power Secretary maintained that both World Bank-funded projects had not signed binding contracts and did not qualify under the least-cost project criteria. They clarified that the IGCEP must be approved by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) following a public hearing, during which all affected projects can present their cases. CPEC hydropower project achieves hoisting of last rotor in Mansehra While the Power Division rejected KPK's arguments, it agreed to hold further discussions with the provincial government. During the discussion on the interim Net Hydel Profit (NHP) arrangement, Rehmat Akhtar, CEO of the Central Power Purchasing Agency–Guaranteed (CPPA-G), confirmed a payment of Rs 1.10/kWh to KPK, with a 5% annual indexation. He said CPPA-G is currently making payments to WAPDA for onward distribution to both KPK and Punjab. He also noted that the Rs 1.10/kWh rate, including 5% annual indexation from 2016, is being recovered from consumers. Outstanding payments of Rs 40 billion under NHP have already been accepted. Once the determinations for FY2023–24 and FY2024–25 are finalized, the NHP rate will increase to Rs 1.70/kWh. The KPK government claimed its outstanding dues total Rs 76 billion, while WAPDA maintained the amount is Rs 63 billion. The Committee Chairman recommended increasing NHP monthly payments to Rs 5 billion, up from the current Rs 3–4 billion, and proposed that payments be routed through CPPA-G instead of WAPDA. It was decided that an internal meeting at the Ministry level would be convened to finalize the proposed NHP payment mechanism. On the issue of wheeling charges (Use of System Charges – UoSC), the Power Minister informed the committee that the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) has approved wheeling charges at Rs 12.55/kWh, excluding stranded costs—one of the major factors behind previous higher rates. The Cabinet ratified the decision. Initially, an allocated capacity of 800 MW will be made available for competitive bidding. The highest bidder will be granted access to wheel electricity. The committee lauded the Power Minister and his team for addressing the wheeling charges issue and for achieving a Rs 190 billion reduction in losses incurred by the power distribution companies (Discos). Meanwhile, according to a press release issued by the Senate Secretariat, Federal Minister for Power Awais Ahmad Leghari clarified that KP authorities did not fully present the CCI-approved power policy, and citing a single clause without context was misleading. He added that if these projects were included, electricity prices could rise by Rs6 per unit by 2034. The Power Division, he said, had removed 8,000 to 10,000 MW worth of projects from the plan — including several CPEC power projects — to protect the public from expensive electricity. The minister further informed the committee that the government had terminated agreements with five IPPs and renegotiated others, resulting in an estimated saving of Rs3.4 trillion over the next four to five years. This year alone, distribution company (DISCO) losses were reduced by Rs191 billion. He acknowledged the persistent problem of electricity theft but noted that the target for establishing a competitive market had been achieved, freeing the government from mandatory power purchases. The committee also deliberated on captive power plants, costly imported coal and LNG projects, and the tariff structure for the protected category. The chairman committee called for a review of the protected category policy. Secretary Power Division confirmed that a reassessment is underway and that consumers using up to 200 units are receiving subsidies. The chairman urged the federal minister to introduce multiple slab rates to protect the consumers from a sudden high jump in tariff. Senator Mohsin Aziz urged both the federal and provincial governments to revisit the matter so that these KP projects could be completed, benefiting both the province and the country. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
