Latest news with #KCCI
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
KCCI urges PM to release Rs23b power subsidy
Listen to article President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure the release of the long-overdue Rs23 billion relief in electricity bills on incremental consumption. In a statement released on Friday, he called for the inclusion of this relief in the upcoming federal budget for FY2025-26, lamenting that although it was allocated in earlier budgets, it has yet to be disbursed — affecting only Karachi's industrial sector, while the rest of the country has received the benefit. As per the statement, Bilwani wrote a letter to the prime minister, acknowledging the government's steps to support the business community but expressed deep concern over the continued delay in providing the subsidy for the period from July 1, 2021, to October 21, 2023. He noted that Karachi's industries remain under immense financial pressure due to administrative and legal complications. He stated that the total subsidy for the period stands at Rs33 billion, of which Rs23 billion is undisputed and should have already been disbursed. Funds were earmarked in previous budgets — Rs22 billion in FY2021-22, Rs13 billion in FY2022-23, and Rs7 billion in FY2023-24 — but the subsidy has not reached recipients due to procedural delays involving K-Electric. "K-Electric (KE) operated without a stay order for nearly nine months yet failed to pass on the subsidy to consumers," said Bilwani, adding that NEPRA did not enforce compliance, and legal obstacles have dragged the issue. He pointed out that KE's appeals were dismissed by a tribunal in July 2024, but the matter remains stalled due to a stay order from the Islamabad High Court. KCCI has urged immediate verification of the figures by the Power Division and NEPRA, stressing that the verified subsidy should be reflected in the upcoming budget. Crucially, KCCI proposed that the undisputed Rs23 billion be paid directly to industrial consumers instead of routing it through KE to avoid further delays. "This is not just a legal obligation; it is a matter of economic justice and national interest," Bilwani said.
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM urged to expedite Rs23bn power bill relief
KARACHI: President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Muhammad Jawed Bilwani has appealed the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure that the long-pending relief of Rs23 billion in the electricity bills on incremental consumption is released without further delay by duly incorporating provision in the forthcoming federal budget for FY 2025–26. Despite being allocated in previous budgets, the relief has yet to be disbursed, causing severe financial stress to the Karachi's industrial sector only as this relief has been provided to the rest of the country. In a formal letter addressed to the Prime Minister, President KCCI acknowledged the government's efforts to address challenges faced by the business community and improve Pakistan's economic landscape. However, he expressed grave concern over the delay in releasing the subsidy for incremental electricity consumption from July 1, 2021, to October 21, 2023, stressing that Karachi's industries continue to bear the brunt of administrative and legal setbacks. He pointed out that the total subsidy amount for the period is Rs33 billion, of which Rs23 billion is undisputed and should have been disbursed. Budgetary allocations were already made in FY 2021-22 (Rs22 billion), FY 2022-23 (Rs13 billion), and FY 2023-24 (Rs7 billion), but the funds have not reached the intended recipients due to procedural and legal delays involving K-Electric. 'K-Electric operated without a stay order for nearly nine months yet failed to pass on the subsidy to consumers,' said Bilwani, pointing to the lack of enforcement by NEPRA and subsequent legal hurdles that have prolonged the crisis. He added that despite the dismissal of KE's appeals by a Tribunal in July 2024, the matter stands stalled due to a stay order granted by the Islamabad High Court. KCCI emphasized the need for immediate verification of the subsidy figures by the Power Division and NEPRA, urging the government to ensure that the verified amount is reflected in the upcoming federal budget. More importantly, KCCI proposed that the undisputed Rs23 billion be released directly to industrial consumers rather than through KE, in order to prevent further delays. 'This is not just a matter of legal obligation; it is a question of economic justice and national interest,' Bilwani stated. 'Ensuring that Karachi's industries receive this long-overdue relief is essential for sustaining industrial operations and maintaining economic stability across Pakistan', he added. Jawed Bilwani hoped that the Prime Minister will intervene swiftly to resolve the issue, restore confidence in government policy, and deliver the much-needed support to Karachi's industrial backbone. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Karachi handles 99pc of country's cargo through roads: Call to shift road freight to railways
KARACHI: Divisional Superintendent Pakistan Railways Mehmood ur Rehman Lakho has said that Karachi handles 99 percent of Pakistan's cargo that needs to be diverted from roads to railways otherwise the city will continue to face deterioration in its road infrastructure caused by the movement of outbound heavy vehicles using the roads of Karachi to reach their destinations in the upcountry. Exchanging views at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Mehmood ur Rehman added that the purpose for his visit to the largest Chamber of country was to explore ways and means for reviving and strengthening rail freight connectivity from Karachi to major industrial and commercial hubs of Pakistan. 'Shifting to rail freight is not only economically beneficial but also environmentally responsible, as rail transport is three times more fuel-efficient than road freight, which in turn reduces carbon emissions, saves foreign exchange on fuel imports, and eases the burden on highways,' he added. Senior Vice President Zia ul Arfeen, Vice President Faisal Khalil Ahmed, Deputy Division Superintendent Operational PR Hamid Farooq Qureshi, Deputy Divisional Superintendent Rolling Stock PR M Ferhan Awan along with other senior PR Officials and KCCI Managing Committee members attended the meeting. Divisional Superintendent PR highlighted that Pakistan Railways has taken significant steps to modernize its freight operations over the past decade. Between 2013 and 2015, more than 1,400 new hopper wagons, over 2,000 high-capacity flat wagons, and 55 modern locomotives were inducted into the fleet. These wagons have dramatically increased the payload capacity from an average of 20 tons to 60 tons per wagon, allowing each train to carry over 4,000 tons of cargo. The Divisional Engineer expressed concern over the delayed implementation of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which was initially envisioned to be a game-changer for the country's rail infrastructure. He said that without ML-1, Pakistan Railways remains constrained in its capacity to deliver long-haul, high-speed cargo services across Karachi, Sukkur, Multan, and onward to the northern zones. He also informed the gathering that Pakistan Railways is working on ambitious plans to revive international rail freight services connecting Karachi to Moscow via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan — a corridor that would unlock new export markets for Pakistani goods, especially textiles and industrial products. Mehmood Lakho further shared that Pakistan Railways is now exploring modern logistics models such as multimodal freight movement, dedicated industrial cargo trains for Karachi's export-oriented sectors, and the potential introduction of Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) wagons where loaded trucks can be directly transported via train to their destinations, thus bypassing congested highways and reducing fuel and maintenance costs. He added that the department is ready to work closely with KCCI and its members to identify freight priorities and launch pilot routes connecting Karachi with Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar. Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala, while appreciating the visit of the railway officials, described it as a much-needed effort to bridge the gap between Pakistan Railways and the business community. He stated that Pakistan Railways had historically been the backbone of trade and industrial logistics in the country, but due to neglect, mismanagement, and rising reliance on road transport, the railways had lost its significance. 'As a result, logistics costs have increased dramatically, roads have deteriorated due to overuse, and the entire supply chain has become more vulnerable to disruptions such as fuel shortages, political protests, and highway closures.' Motiwala emphasized that a strong and reliable freight rail network would bring enormous benefits to Karachi's industries, which are currently suffering from slow inland movement of raw materials and finished goods. He stated that freight trains are not only cost-effective and timely, but also safer, more secure, and more resilient to external shocks compared to road transport. Karachi's roads, he noted, are severely congested with heavy trucks passing through densely populated areas, creating traffic bottlenecks, pollution, and road damage. Rehabilitating and expanding railway cargo services would drastically reduce the burden on urban infrastructure and improve the efficiency of trade logistics, he added. Speaking on the occasion, President KCCI Jawed Bilwani underscored the urgent need to revive rail cargo operations as a strategic imperative for Pakistan's economy. He said that Karachi, being the industrial and commercial capital of Pakistan, lacks the road infrastructure to shoulder the logistics burden of the entire country. With hundreds of thousands of trucks entering and exiting the city daily, the road network has deteriorated beyond repair, and the city frequently experiences supply chain paralysis due to traffic jams, strikes, and fuel-related disruptions. He noted that countries that maintain low logistics costs, particularly through rail, achieve greater industrial growth and better export competitiveness. He strongly advocated for launching dedicated cargo trains to and from Karachi's industrial zones, which are home to the nation's leading exporters. He stressed that Pakistan Railways must explore operational models that include the introduction of Roll-on/Roll-off wagons to transport entire trucks by train, the revival of the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) not only for passengers but also for freight, and the rationalization of excessive and unaffordable charges imposed on industrial rail crossings and private sidings. Bilwani proposed the formation of a joint working committee between KCCI and Pakistan Railways to develop and oversee freight service pilots, align schedules with port timings, resolve customs clearance challenges at dry ports, and ensure sustained engagement between public and private stakeholders. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Shift cargo from roads to rail: railway official
Listen to article Divisional Superintendent of Pakistan Railways (PR), Mehmoodur Rehman Lakho, has said that 99% of Pakistan's cargo moves through Karachi, warning that unless freight is shifted from roads to rail, the city's road infrastructure will continue to deteriorate under the strain of heavy outbound vehicles. Speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Lakho said the purpose of his visit was to explore ways to revive and strengthen rail freight connectivity from Karachi to Pakistan's major industrial and commercial centres. "Shifting to rail freight is not only economically beneficial but also environmentally responsible," he said. "Rail transport is three times more fuel-efficient than road freight, helping reduce carbon emissions, conserve foreign exchange, and ease pressure on highways." He highlighted the strides Pakistan Railways has made in modernising its freight operations over the past decade. Between 2013 and 2015, the department added more than 1,400 hopper wagons, over 2,000 high-capacity flat wagons, and 55 modern locomotives. These upgrades increased payload capacity from an average of 20 tonnes to 60 tonnes per wagon, enabling each train to transport over 4,000 tonnes of cargo. However, Lakho expressed concern over the delayed implementation of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), calling it critical to expanding the country's rail cargo network. Without ML-1, he said, Pakistan Railways remains limited in its capacity to deliver long-haul, high-speed cargo services across Karachi, Sukkur, Multan towards the northern regions. He also shared plans to revive international rail freight links from Karachi to Moscow via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. This corridor, he said, could unlock new export markets, especially for textiles and industrial products. Lakho said Pakistan Railways is exploring modern logistics solutions such as multimodal freight, dedicated industrial cargo trains for export sectors, and Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) wagons that can carry entire loaded trucks by trainbypassing congested highways and reducing costs. He expressed willingness to collaborate with KCCI to identify freight priorities and launch pilot routes connecting Karachi with Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar. Chairman of the Businessmen Group (BMG), Zubair Motiwala, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a long-overdue effort to rebuild the historic partnership between the business community and Pakistan Railways, which had been eroded by years of neglect and overreliance on road transport.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Will reopen 48 J&K tourist spots in phased manner: Omar Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the government will reopen 48 tourist destinations, closed after the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in a phased manner. He was in Pahalgam for a cabinet meeting and visited local markets in the evening. Since the deadly terror attack, even locals have been steering clear of famous tourist destinations, which wear deserted looks. He said that there is a need to review each of these locations, and schools and colleges will be encouraged to take students here for picnics after reopening. Also Read | Omar calls meeting of ministers, all senior officials on May 28 Soon after the Pahalgam attack, the government had closed or restricted access to over 40 meadows, trekking routes, hilly areas, parks and gardens. The destinations included Doodhpathri and Yousmarg in central Kashmir, Bungus valley in north Kashmir, Daksum, Sinthan top and some gardens in south Kashmir and a few prominent places in Srinagar. 'There should be measures, which include promotion of local tourism and encouraging schools and colleges to plan excursions,' Omar said. Also Read | Omar Abdullah chairs cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, says tourism a 'conflict-neutral' activity On Monday, Omar interacted with a delegation of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) at the civil secretariat. It was attended by all the tourism stakeholders and top officers. Omar said the economic slowdown faced by the region is not recent, but a legacy of previous years. Also Read | Kashmir, Kashmiris, and the politics of retribution 'We are asking for support as we face unprecedented circumstances. A proposal for a package will be prepared, but it must be distinct from regular demands to ensure focused and definite attention,' he said. Meanwhile, United Pahalgam Trade Forum, an amalgamation of stakeholders associated with the tourism sector, said Omar's visit to Pahalgam with his cabinet and bureaucrats is a positive development.
