Latest news with #CabinetDivision
Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Business Recorder
Severe heatwave expected in Pakistan during Eid-ul-Adha 2025 holidays, warns PMD
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted extreme heat across the country during the Eid-ul-Adha holidays. 'Met office predicted that high pressure is likely to develop over the country on 7 June and is expected to grip most parts from 8 June,' the PMD said in a notification today. It added that from June 7 till June 12 June, day temperatures will likely remain 04 to 06°C above normal in southern half (upper and central Sindh, southern Punjab and parts of Balochistan). Meanwhile, during the same period, day temperatures will likely remain 05 to 07°C above normal in upper half (central & upper Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan). The Met office advised the general public especially children, women and senior citizens to take precautionary measures and avoid exposure to direct sun light during the day time and stay hydrated. The federal government has announced a four-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Adha, starting from Friday, June 6, to Monday, June 9, 2025. A notification in this regard was issued by the Cabinet Division on Monday. It is valid for both five-day and six-day working weeks. The decision was approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and is in continuation of the Cabinet Division's earlier circular issued in December 2024, which outlined the schedule for public and optional holidays for the year 2025.
Arab News
3 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Pakistan announces four-day holiday on Eid Al-Adha
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has announced a four-day holiday on Eid Al-Adha starting from June 6, the Cabinet Division said on Monday. Eid Al-Adha is one of the two most important festivals of the Islamic calendar. The other, Eid Al-Fitr, occurs at the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Muslims mark the Eid Al-Adha holiday by slaughtering animals such as sheep and goats, and the meat is shared among family and friends and donated to the poor. 'The prime minister has been pleased to declare 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th June, 2025, (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday) as public holidays on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha,' the Cabinet Division said. Last week, Pakistan's moon sighting committee announced that the crescent marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah was not sighted due to unclear skies and the Eid Al-Adha festival would commence from June 7. Eid Al-Adha is observed on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace Be Upon Him) to sacrifice his son on God's command. Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar, a sacred period during which the Hajj pilgrimage takes place. This year, the annual Hajj pilgrimage will commence on June 4.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Govt announces four-day public holidays for Eid-ul-Adha
The federal government has announced a four-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Adha, starting from Friday, June 6, to Monday, June 9, 2025. A notification in this regard was issued by the Cabinet Division on Monday. It is valid for both five-day and six-day working weeks. The decision was approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and is in continuation of the Cabinet Division's earlier circular issued in December 2024, which outlined the schedule for public and optional holidays for the year 2025. Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the most significant Islamic holidays celebrated across the country with religious fervour. The occasion commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God.
Business Recorder
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Amendments to net-metering rules: Power Div. set to resubmit its proposal to ECC
ISLAMABAD: The Power Division is all set to resubmit its proposal to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) regarding amendments to the Net-Metering Regulations, aimed at substantially reducing buyback rates as, according to well-informed sources, the Cabinet Division has given the greenlight for resubmission. In a letter to the Power Division, the Cabinet Division stated that while the ECC had approved the proposed amendments in its meeting held on March 13, 2025, the Federal Cabinet had deferred ratification of the decision. The case was deferred after the Cabinet considered an additional agenda item submitted by the Power Division, with instructions to conduct broader consultations with stakeholders before resubmission. The Cabinet had previously postponed ratification due to strong public and parliamentary opposition. However, with a shift in the ground realities, the Cabinet Division has now advised the Power Division to resubmit the summary for the ECC's reconsideration. Under the earlier proposal, the government aimed to limit the validity period of net-metering contracts to five years, with a gradual reduction in buyback rates from Rs 27 to Rs 10 per unit. Net metering consumers: Contract term limited to 5 years On March 23, 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on net-metering and directed the Power Division to address public confusion surrounding the policy. According to the Power Division, the current net-metering regime allows consumers to bypass fixed charges. Combined with rising capacity payment pressure (CPP), falling energy sales, and declining recovery of fixed charges, this has contributed to rising electricity tariffs. Net-metering capacity led to a reduction in sales of approximately 3.2 billion kWh in FY 2024, creating an estimated financial burden of Rs 101 billion, and resulting in an average tariff increase of around Rs 0.9/kWh for other consumers. Looking ahead, the impact is expected to worsen. By FY34, projected net-metering sales reductions could reach 18.8 billion kWh, imposing an additional burden of approximately Rs 545 billion—translating into an average tariff increase of Rs 3.6/kWh. Moreover, the proposed IGCEP 2025 includes over 8,000 MW of net-metering additions through FY 2034, classified as 'forced additions,' which may undermine the principle of least-cost power generation expansion. Meanwhile, the Power Division has approached the World Bank for technical assistance for a nationwide rooftop solar assessment, through the Economic Affairs Division (EAD). In response, the World Bank appreciated the Power Division's proactive steps. Eva Liselotte Lescrauwaet, Acting Operations Manager for Pakistan, confirmed in a letter to the EAD Secretary that the Bank will support the initiative through its Energy Sector Management Assis-tance Program (ESMAP). 'The assessment aligns closely with our ongoing engagement with the Power Division under the broader energy sector reform agenda,' she wrote, as 'it will complement the Electricity Distribution and Efficiency Improvement Project (EDEIP), especially its focus on strengthening the distribution sector and informing policy development.' The proposed work will aim to: (i) map and analyze the current deployment of rooftop solar PV systems across Pakistan; (ii) identify key growth trends and forecast future uptake trajectories; (iii) assess implications for grid integration and system planning; and (iv) provide timely input into the national net metering policy review and related regulatory frameworks. 'We have initiated internal planning to scope this work, including potential collaboration with national institutions and relevant stakeholders. A detailed scope of work concept, delivery timeline and requested data to be provided by the government will be shared with the Power Division and Ministry of Economic Affairs for review and concurrence,' she said adding that the Bank is committed to supporting the GoP's efforts to foster sustainable, equitable and resilient sector development. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Amendments to net-metering rules: PD set to resubmit its proposal to ECC
ISLAMABAD: The Power Division is all set to resubmit its proposal to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) regarding amendments to the Net-Metering Regulations, aimed at substantially reducing buyback rates as, according to well-informed sources, the Cabinet Division has given the greenlight for resubmission. In a letter to the Power Division, the Cabinet Division stated that while the ECC had approved the proposed amendments in its meeting held on March 13, 2025, the Federal Cabinet had deferred ratification of the decision. The case was deferred after the Cabinet considered an additional agenda item submitted by the Power Division, with instructions to conduct broader consultations with stakeholders before resubmission. The Cabinet had previously postponed ratification due to strong public and parliamentary opposition. However, with a shift in the ground realities, the Cabinet Division has now advised the Power Division to resubmit the summary for the ECC's reconsideration. Under the earlier proposal, the government aimed to limit the validity period of net-metering contracts to five years, with a gradual reduction in buyback rates from Rs 27 to Rs 10 per unit. Net metering consumers: Contract term limited to 5 years On March 23, 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on net-metering and directed the Power Division to address public confusion surrounding the policy. According to the Power Division, the current net-metering regime allows consumers to bypass fixed charges. Combined with rising capacity payment pressure (CPP), falling energy sales, and declining recovery of fixed charges, this has contributed to rising electricity tariffs. Net-metering capacity led to a reduction in sales of approximately 3.2 billion kWh in FY 2024, creating an estimated financial burden of Rs 101 billion, and resulting in an average tariff increase of around Rs 0.9/kWh for other consumers. Looking ahead, the impact is expected to worsen. By FY34, projected net-metering sales reductions could reach 18.8 billion kWh, imposing an additional burden of approximately Rs 545 billion—translating into an average tariff increase of Rs 3.6/kWh. Moreover, the proposed IGCEP 2025 includes over 8,000 MW of net-metering additions through FY 2034, classified as 'forced additions,' which may undermine the principle of least-cost power generation expansion. Meanwhile, the Power Division has approached the World Bank for technical assistance for a nationwide rooftop solar assessment, through the Economic Affairs Division (EAD). In response, the World Bank appreciated the Power Division's proactive steps. Eva Liselotte Lescrauwaet, Acting Operations Manager for Pakistan, confirmed in a letter to the EAD Secretary that the Bank will support the initiative through its Energy Sector Management Assis-tance Program (ESMAP). 'The assessment aligns closely with our ongoing engagement with the Power Division under the broader energy sector reform agenda,' she wrote, as 'it will complement the Electricity Distribution and Efficiency Improvement Project (EDEIP), especially its focus on strengthening the distribution sector and informing policy development.' The proposed work will aim to: (i) map and analyze the current deployment of rooftop solar PV systems across Pakistan; (ii) identify key growth trends and forecast future uptake trajectories; (iii) assess implications for grid integration and system planning; and (iv) provide timely input into the national net metering policy review and related regulatory frameworks. 'We have initiated internal planning to scope this work, including potential collaboration with national institutions and relevant stakeholders. A detailed scope of work concept, delivery timeline and requested data to be provided by the government will be shared with the Power Division and Ministry of Economic Affairs for review and concurrence,' she said adding that the Bank is committed to supporting the GoP's efforts to foster sustainable, equitable and resilient sector development. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
