Latest news with #AwaisAhmedKhanLeghari
Business Recorder
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
NGC, LUMS Energy Institute to host national consultative workshop on 24th
LAHORE: The National Grid Company (NGC) of Pakistan (formerly NTDC), in collaboration with LUMS Energy Institute, will host the National Consultative Workshop on the Power Sector Indigenization Road Map on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at LUMS Lahore. Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari will grace the occasion as Chief Guest, while Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council, Engr. Waseem Nazir will address the gathering and highlight the role of regulatory body in accelerating industrial localization. Dr. Fiaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Chairman Board of Directors NGC and Senior Advisor at LUMS Energy Institute, stated 'This workshop aims to bring together leaders from the power sector, local manufacturers, regulatory authorities and academia to chart out a unified and actionable roadmap to strengthen Pakistan's electrical equipment manufacturing ecosystem.' As part of this initiative, the event will feature the official launch of Pakistan's first Power Equipment Manufacturing Dashboard, a real-time digital platform designed to track localization progress, map vendor capacity, and identify strategic investment opportunities. This tool is developed by the LUMS Energy Institute and will become a cornerstone of the Power Sector Indigenization Plan (PSIP). The workshop features distinguished speakers and participants, including the Chairman WAPDA, Managing Director PPMC, CEO K-Electric, Chairman BoDs of DISCOs, CEO CPPA-G and other senior representatives from government, industry, and regulatory institutions. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Balochistan tube-wells solarisation: ECC approves Rs24.5bn transfer
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Monday approved transfer of the requisite funds amounting Rs24.5 billion to ensure timely completion of the solarisation of 27,000 agri tube-wells in Balochistan. The ECC of the Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, which was also attended by Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, along with federal secretaries and senior officials from relevant ministries and divisions. The ECC considered a summary by the Power Division regarding the solarisation of 27,000 agri tube-wells in Balochistan as decided by the prime minister on 2nd July 2024, at an estimated cost of Rs55 billion borne by the government of Pakistan and government of Balochistan at a ratio of 70 percent and 30 percent respectively. 'Immense national importance': ECC assures full support for Reko-Diq project The ECC was told that an amount of Rs14 billion has already been released by the federal government while the remaining Rs24.5 billion is now proposed to be released. The ECC deliberated on the matter and approved transfer of the requisite funds to ensure timely completion of the programme. The ECC further instructed the Power Division to closely monitor implementation of key components of the project, particularly the disconnection of tube-wells from the grid and removal of transformers and fixtures for every batch of feeders, as agreed under the project. The ECC also directed the Power Division to report back the progress on this account to ECC, in July. The committee also took up a summary submitted by the Petroleum Division for extension in validity period of sovereign guarantees issued against running finance facility of Rs50 billion obtained from banks for LNG payments by the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL). The committee discussed the matter and approved extension up to June 2026 of the said sovereign guarantees on the basis of improved cash flows of the company. Besides, the ECC also took up different summaries from various ministries/ divisions for the grant of technical supplementary grants (TSGs) for various purposes and approved. The ECC approved Rs300 million TSG for the Cabinet Division for provision of funds to operationalise new regulatory authorities and other funding requirements. The committee approved Rs1,269 million TSG for Finance Division surrendered by ministries as part of transfer of PSDP projects related to defunct PWD to federal ministries and provincial departments. Further, the ECC approved Rs250 million TSG for the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training as part of Rs500 million grant approved by the prime minister for upgradation of Sadiq Public School, Bahawalpur. The body also approved Rs109 million additional funds for Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control for purchase of contingent equipment and store by Civil Armed Forces on deployment of Formed Police Unit for peacekeeping under the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions. The ECC approved Rs500 million TSG for the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control for operational requirement of Frontier Corps (KP) North. It further approved Rs25.9 million TSG for Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control for maintenance of Cessna aircraft. The committee also approved Rs2.32 million TSG for Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control for construction of Michni Training Centre, Frontier Constabulary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The ECC approved Rs556.8 million TSG for Ministry of Law and Justice for functionalising 36 benches of Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue across Pakistan. The release of funds by the Finance Division would coincide with the execution of the project. The body also approved Rs106 million TSG for Power Division for programme implementation and awareness activities by the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) for its nationwide fan replacement programme designed with the support of the Power Division, SBP and commercial banks for replacing 88 million inefficient fans across Pakistan with a view to reducing the peak electricity demand by an approximate 5,000 megawatts. The ECC was also briefed by the Power Division on the implementation status of the ECC's decision dated 4th September 2024 regarding the 'Status of Governance of all Discos whose boards have been reconstituted with a view to improving the governance of Discos'. The ECC was told that the BoDs for all Discos had been reconstituted, except for SEPCO and HESCO, where the process was in the finalisation stage. A monthly performance monitoring mechanism evaluating key operational, commercial, and financial parameters, had been implemented by the PPMC for all Discos. Additionally, strategic roadmaps in line with the National Electricity Policy had also been formulated and signed in February 2025 by the respective chairpersons of the BoDs and CEOs of all Discos. The Power Division also shared a summary of the performance of Discos in terms of T&D losses and recovery up to December 2024. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
18m benefiting from 56% power tariff reduction
Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has highlighted the government's commitment to providing affordable electricity, noting that 18 million consumers were now receiving electricity at a 56% reduced rate. Talking to media representatives on Saturday, he mentioned efforts to extend subsidies to farmers under the fuel adjustment charges, an initiative not previously available. The minister termed India's statement regarding the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as childish, stupid and illegal. He stated that the treaty could only be revoked through mutual consent between Pakistan and India.
Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Change in solar net metering policy put on hold
The government on Wednesday decided to expand consultations with all stakeholders regarding Solar Net Metering Regulations approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) before resubmitting final recommendations to the federal cabinet, halting the approval of an additional tax on solar energy consumers. The decision was made during a meeting of the federal cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Both the prime minister and federal ministers opposed the proposed policy, directing the energy minister to review the net metering policy. Earlier this month, the government had reduced the buyback rate by two-thirds to Rs10 per unit and scrapped net billing to stop the renewable energy growth through solar net metering amid high grid electricity costs. The decision, applicable to new net-metering consumers, was taken at an ECC meeting. Under the revised policy, power companies would buy excess solar electricity from consumers at a rate of Rs10 per unit during daylight hours, while grid electricity would be sold at Rs42 per unit during off-peak hours and Rs48 per unit during peak hours after sunsetexcluding taxes and duties. Furthermore, consumers would be restricted from installing solar capacity beyond their sanctioned load, with only a 10 per cent allowance, whereas the previous policy permitted a 50 per cent margin. Additionally, the cabinet approved the utilization of savings from reduced petroleum product prices to lower electricity tariffs for consumers, based on recommendations from the Power Division. Further, on the recommendation of the Power Division, the cabinet authorized the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) to sign agreements on amended conditions with power plants operating on bagasse. On the recommendation of the Ministry of Law and Justice, the cabinet granted in-principle approval for the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Act, 2025. As recommended by the Revenue Division, the cabinet approved further amendments to income tax, sales tax on services, and federal excise duties within the Islamabad Capital Territory. These amendments have been made as part of the Resource Mobilization and Utilization Reform Programme for policy action. Some amendments had already been introduced in 2023 and 2024. The cabinet also approved the Income Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, restoring tax rebates for full-time teachers and researchers. Moreover, it endorsed the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCoP) in its March 11, 2025, meeting, along with approvals for decisions taken by the ECC on March 13 and March 21, 2025. Separately, Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Wednesday assured the Senate Standing Committee on Power Division that existing net metering consumers would continue under their current contracts until expiration. The committee which met with Senator Mohsin Aziz in the chair was further apprised that the consumers who installed solar panels without net metering would remain unaffected. The minister said that the ECC has approved the policy, but cabinet approval was pending. He emphasized that solar policy changes were necessary to avoid purchasing expensive electricity at public expense, adding that import duties on solar panels remain unchanged. The minister said currently, 283,000 solar consumers generate 4,000MW. The new policy aims to lower solar system costs, making them more accessible. The committee also discussed that the new net metering policy under which the government will purchase electricity from new solar consumers at Rs10 per unit instead of Rs27. However, electricity consumed between 6pm and 10pm will be charged at Rs45 per unit. Without this policy, electricity prices could rise by Rs3.50 per unit. The Senate Standing Committee was briefed on the procurement of the Narowal Coal Power Plant (a govt-owned IPP) allegedly at the rate of Rs75,000/ton whereas the market price of coal is Rs40,000/ton. However, during the briefing, it was revealed that the issue was not about the Narowal Coal Power Plant but the Sahiwal Coal Power Plant. It was also clarified that this plant is not a government-owned Independent Power Producer (IPP). The committee expressed concern over the incorrect information and asked for a detailed report to ensure transparency and accountability. The ministry further deliberated regarding the on-going IPP's negotiation and timeline of expected relief for the public and industrialists. Pursuant to the efforts of Task Force, Power Purchase Agreements with 6 IPPs have been terminated, revised agreements for tariff reduction have also initialed with 8 Bagasse Power Plants and 14 IPPs of Power Policy 1994 & 2002. As per the relevant summaries of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), the early termination of 5 IPPs would result in overall savings of around Rs411 billion. Further, savings on account of revised tariff terms with 8 Bagasse Power Projects and 14 IPPs of Power Policy 1994 & 2002 is estimated around Rs 238 billion and Rs922 billion respectively over the remaining life of these projects. The chairman expressed concern over the remaining 75 IPPs, questioning the delay despite the formation of a dedicated Task Force to expedite the process. He emphasized the need for swift action to ensure timely relief. The ministry informed the committee that negotiations are being conducted individually with each IPP, which requires time. However, the ministry assured that the process is expected to be completed by April or May, with a likelihood of finalization by the last week of April. The committee has sought detailed information mentioned that, to date, the authorities have failed to provide the commencement date of these projects, the final price, and the local manufacturing cost of the plant. The meeting was attended by Senators Syed Shibli Faraz, Mir Dostian Khan Domki, Manzoor Ahmed Kakar, Haji Hidayatullah Khan, Asad Qasim, Minister for Energy (Power Division) Awais Leghari and other concerned officials. (With input from APP)
Express Tribune
22-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rs189b transmission line project faces 'ROW' challenge
Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Friday met with World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine, World Bank Group experts and IFC Country Manager Zeeshan Sheikh and discussed the initial feasibility of the Matiari-Moro-Rahim Yar Khan transmission line project. The government has planned to construct the 500kV transmission line to link Matiari in Sindh with Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab. According to the Ministry of Planning and Development, the Rs189 billion project had been approved, with Rs17bn allocated in the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. The transmission line is necessary to make up for the electricity differential from south to north. The issue, as per a wind power producers (WPPs) representative, is as the power generation in the country's southern region has rapidly increased "[it] outpaced the development of NTDC's grids that can carry electricity from south to north. This has resulted in transmission bottlenecks which, in turn, limit NTDC's ability to evacuate power". On its part, the NTDC claims the variation in electricity generation from WPPs — due to seasonal changes — makes its grid unstable. Leghari emphasized that, while the project has numerous benefits, its success depends on the effective resolution of the "right of way" issue. "Until the challenge is addressed, effective implementation of the project will not be possible." The right of way (ROW) is the legal permission required for the construction, conservation, expansion and protection of a piece of land or a commuting route. In other words, when an organisation, may it be a government or private entity, intends to build or improve the infrastructure of a city, district, or even a country, ROW is needed before any such work is initiated. The minister clarified that under any procurement model, the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) must retain control over the transmission system and operations, while tariffs will be determined according to NEPRA regulations to ensure sustainability of the project. The project is a key component of Pakistan's energy infrastructure, designed to improve stability and performance of the national transmission network, said a press release issued here. Its goal is to improve voltage stability, ensure effective electricity transmission from north to south, and facilitate the integration of large-scale renewable energy sources. Additionally, various aspects of the project were discussed during the meeting. Minister of State Abdul Rehman Kanju also participated in the meeting.
