Latest news with #Dasu
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt working tirelessly to eliminate corruption and lack of transparency: PM
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Monday that institutional reforms are progressing rapidly across all sectors, as part of a broader effort to eliminate corruption and address persistent gaps in transparency. 'All government institutions are working tirelessly to eliminate corruption and other deficiencies, such as lack of transparency,' Shehbaz said while chairing a high-level meeting on Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reforms in Islamabad. READ MORE: PM purges FBR of corrupt officials The prime minister directed officials to engage internationally recognised audit firms for third-party validation of reforms underway within the FBR to ensure credibility and external accountability. Shehbaz also reviewed the performance of the Faceless Customs Assessment System, a key initiative launched to minimise human interference in customs processes. He expressed satisfaction, noting that the system had improved revenue collection and significantly reduced clearance times. READ MORE: Rs600m corruption unearthed in Dasu project He reaffirmed that the government's reform agenda, bolstered by recent economic indicators, is evidence that the country is moving in the right direction. Officials at the meeting briefed the prime minister on the Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) reforms, and announced that a simplified digital tax return system would soon be introduced, including features in Urdu and other local languages to assist the general public. The meeting was attended by Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, the FBR Chairman, and other senior officials. READ MORE: Tax shortfall exceeds Rs1 trillion Previously, Prime Minister Shehbaz had directed the urgent and effective implementation of ongoing reforms within the FBR, placing particular emphasis on the digitisation and automation of the country's tax system. In a meeting Shehbaz called for decisive action to rectify what he described as '70 years of mismanagement' in Pakistan's tax infrastructure. He reiterated that while honest taxpayers and businesses would be fully supported, those involved in evasion would face firm legal consequences without exceptions. Shehbaz also commended the FBR and its enforcement arms for their recent efforts in improving tax revenue, following the rollout of systems such as the Faceless Customs Assessment System.
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz approves 10-year roadmap for Pakistan's power sector
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Power Division to continue efforts aimed at reducing electricity prices, eliminating circular debt and controlling line losses and theft, sources told Business Recorder. These directives were issued as the Prime Minister approved the Integrated Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2024–34, a long-awaited 10-year roadmap for Pakistan's power sector. The plan is expected to save $17 billion through rescheduling and cancellation of 7,967 MW of planned projects. The core objective of the IGCEP is to ensure the availability of affordable and reliable electricity. All new projects included in the plan have been selected based on the minimum-cost principle. PM approves 10-year IGCEP 2025–35 According to official estimates, the revised strategy is expected to reduce the national economic burden by Rs 474.3 billion and yield savings of approximately $10 billion (Rs 2,790 billion) by adjusting project timelines. An additional $7 billion (Rs 1,953 billion) in savings is projected by scrapping 7,967 MW of proposed projects. These changes are also expected to bring down electricity tariffs, with estimated average savings of more than Rs 2 per unit. Officials assert that — for the first time — electricity projects have been chosen purely on merit and in full transparency. Costly and unnecessary projects have been removed, with national interest prioritized over individual or political gain. 'The Power Division, through structural reforms, shall make continuous efforts to reduce the price of electricity, eliminate circular debt, control line losses and theft, and eradicate corruption in Discos,' the Prime Minister was quoted as saying. 'Renewable energy must be promoted to protect the climate and save foreign exchange currently spent on imported fossil fuels,' he added. Under the original IGCEP, 14,984 MW of new projects were planned. This has now been trimmed to 18 projects totaling 7,017 MW, including strategic hydropower projects such as Dasu and Mohmand Dams. Priority has been given to 7,987 MW of projects based on indigenous resources —hydropower, solar, nuclear, and wind — to reduce dependency on imported fuels like coal and natural gas, thereby saving billions in foreign exchange annually. The Ministry of Water Resources has been tasked with ensuring timely completion of strategic hydropower projects according to the Prime Minister's approved timelines. The Ministry must also ensure financial close of these projects and prevent any cost overruns. The Chairman of WAPDA has been directed to submit regular progress reports to the Prime Minister. Additionally, the Secretary Power, Secretary Petroleum, and Chairman of the Task Force have been instructed to resolve inter-ministerial and cross-cutting issues to ensure smooth operations and timely implementation. A high-level committee has also been constituted to oversee reforms in the petroleum sector. This committee will develop strategies to synchronize LNG demand with the power sector's requirements, address cargo diversion issues, and tackle circular debt and tariff challenges in the gas sector. The committee comprises: (i) Minister for Petroleum (Convener); (ii) Advisor to Prime Minister on Privatisation (Co-Convener); (iii) Lt. Gen. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal (Member); (iv) Secretary, Power Division (Member); and (v) Secretary, Petroleum Division (Member) The committee's Terms of Reference (ToRs) include: (i) developing a proposal to align LNG demand of the power sector with supply availability to prevent abrupt demand fluctuations; (ii) identifying causes and solutions for sudden changes in LNG demand that lead to diversion of cargoes; (iii) recommending measures to reduce circular debt in the gas sector; (iv) proposing a rationalized LNG tariff structure, revisiting terminal charges, importer margins, LNG service agreement fees; and (v) enhancing efficiency and transparency in domestic gas tariffs, including UFG (Unaccounted-for Gas) losses, especially with the growing share of LNG in the national gas system. The Power Division and the National Coordinator of the Task Force will deliver a detailed presentation on these issues to the Prime Minister. Separately, the Prime Minister has given the Power Division three months to complete a feasibility study on imported coal-fired power projects. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
10-year power roadmap approved
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Power Division to continue efforts aimed at reducing electricity prices, eliminating circular debt and controlling line losses and theft, sources told Business Recorder. These directives were issued as the Prime Minister approved the Integrated Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2024–34, a long-awaited 10-year roadmap for Pakistan's power sector. The plan is expected to save $17 billion through rescheduling and cancellation of 7,967 MW of planned projects. The core objective of the IGCEP is to ensure the availability of affordable and reliable electricity. All new projects included in the plan have been selected based on the minimum-cost principle. PM approves 10-year IGCEP 2025–35 According to official estimates, the revised strategy is expected to reduce the national economic burden by Rs 474.3 billion and yield savings of approximately $10 billion (Rs 2,790 billion) by adjusting project timelines. An additional $7 billion (Rs 1,953 billion) in savings is projected by scrapping 7,967 MW of proposed projects. These changes are also expected to bring down electricity tariffs, with estimated average savings of more than Rs 2 per unit. Officials assert that — for the first time — electricity projects have been chosen purely on merit and in full transparency. Costly and unnecessary projects have been removed, with national interest prioritized over individual or political gain. 'The Power Division, through structural reforms, shall make continuous efforts to reduce the price of electricity, eliminate circular debt, control line losses and theft, and eradicate corruption in Discos,' the Prime Minister was quoted as saying. 'Renewable energy must be promoted to protect the climate and save foreign exchange currently spent on imported fossil fuels,' he added. Under the original IGCEP, 14,984 MW of new projects were planned. This has now been trimmed to 18 projects totaling 7,017 MW, including strategic hydropower projects such as Dasu and Mohmand Dams. Priority has been given to 7,987 MW of projects based on indigenous resources —hydropower, solar, nuclear, and wind — to reduce dependency on imported fuels like coal and natural gas, thereby saving billions in foreign exchange annually. The Ministry of Water Resources has been tasked with ensuring timely completion of strategic hydropower projects according to the Prime Minister's approved timelines. The Ministry must also ensure financial close of these projects and prevent any cost overruns. The Chairman of WAPDA has been directed to submit regular progress reports to the Prime Minister. Additionally, the Secretary Power, Secretary Petroleum, and Chairman of the Task Force have been instructed to resolve inter-ministerial and cross-cutting issues to ensure smooth operations and timely implementation. A high-level committee has also been constituted to oversee reforms in the petroleum sector. This committee will develop strategies to synchronize LNG demand with the power sector's requirements, address cargo diversion issues, and tackle circular debt and tariff challenges in the gas sector. The committee comprises: (i) Minister for Petroleum (Convener); (ii) Advisor to Prime Minister on Privatisation (Co-Convener); (iii) Lt. Gen. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal (Member); (iv) Secretary, Power Division (Member); and (v) Secretary, Petroleum Division (Member) The committee's Terms of Reference (ToRs) include: (i) developing a proposal to align LNG demand of the power sector with supply availability to prevent abrupt demand fluctuations; (ii) identifying causes and solutions for sudden changes in LNG demand that lead to diversion of cargoes; (iii) recommending measures to reduce circular debt in the gas sector; (iv) proposing a rationalized LNG tariff structure, revisiting terminal charges, importer margins, LNG service agreement fees; and (v) enhancing efficiency and transparency in domestic gas tariffs, including UFG (Unaccounted-for Gas) losses, especially with the growing share of LNG in the national gas system. The Power Division and the National Coordinator of the Task Force will deliver a detailed presentation on these issues to the Prime Minister. Separately, the Prime Minister has given the Power Division three months to complete a feasibility study on imported coal-fired power projects. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hans India
09-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Awareness rally marks World Thalassemia Day
Nagarkurnool: In observance of World Thalassemia Day, an awareness rally was flagged off by Dr M Venkata Dasu, Deputy District Medical and Health Officer, at the premises of the District Parishad Office (Old Collectorate) in Nagarkurnool on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Dasu stated that Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder passed from parents to children. Children affected by Thalassemia often suffer from fatigue, stunted growth, frequent infections, extremely low haemoglobin levels (2–3 gm), enlarged liver and spleen, and abdominal swelling. 'These children require regular blood transfusions every month and routine blood tests to monitor iron levels in the body, as iron overload can severely affect organs such as the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys,' he said. He noted that Thalassemia patients must take iron-chelating medicines monthly and that bone marrow transplantation, which costs between Rs 10 and 15 lakhs, is the only definitive cure, and is possible only with matched donors, preferably close relatives. 'However, the disease can be prevented through simple blood screening tests before marriage and by avoiding consanguineous marriages,' he said.
Express Tribune
13-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
The Dasu dilemma
Listen to article Cost-effective power generation has for long been a national desire. But Pakistan, despite having enough hydro resources, has struggled to stay afloat, and per unit cost of electricity for consumers has been exorbitant. Currently, Pakistan has one of the highest energy tariffs in the region, and there is a mixed baggage of wayward decision-making that is to be blamed for it. The rise in the construction cost of Dasu project is a case in point, which has soared to Rs1.7 trillion from Rs479 billion, inflating the price tag of electricity to an estimated Rs9 per unit. It is surely owing to mismanagement, delays and a non-professional approach towards a project of national interest, and is in need of being fixed before it turns out to be another white elephant. The increase of almost 240% in cost cannot be ignored by simply re-approving the project to go ahead. Black sheep and administrative lacunas behind this faux pas must be identified, and ways adopted to ensure that it is productive as and when it is commissioned for power generation. Moreover, the fact that Pakistan's energy mosaic requires more water-storage and power generation dams also needs to be flagged, and a national policy devised out of it. This is indispensable to not only to undo the ripples of IPPs-driven escalated price tags in future, but also to turn self-reliant in energy production. The least that is needed is to depoliticise the prism, and plough out inefficient modules of decision-making that are still in vogue. While the Dasu cost-debacle has been referred to ECNEC for scrutiny, many critical riddles warrant answers: Why were power-generation bodies slumbering when the delay was underway, and why did Wapda not appoint an independent project director and a professional chief finance officer to monitor the project? It is also nerve-wrenching to learn that Wapda had awarded a contract for the construction of a 66km Karakoram Highway section in foreign currency. Such derelictions have pushed the country towards seeking an additional $6 billion funding in these testing times. Will some heads roll is hard to guess!
