Latest news with #Leghari
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pak-Kyrgyz trade target set at $100m
Trade between the two nations has declined from $11.2 million in 2022-23 to $5.18 million in 2024-25. Leghari stressed the need to reverse this trend.. photo: file Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have pledged to expand bilateral trade to $100 million and signed multiple agreements to boost cooperation in trade, energy, health, investment, and education during the 5th Session of the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) held in Islamabad. According to an official statement released on Monday, the meeting, co-chaired by Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari and Kyrgyz Deputy Chairman Edil Baisalov, marked a renewed push to strengthen economic, scientific, and technical collaboration between the two countries. Trade between the two nations has declined from $11.2 million in 2022-23 to $5.18 million in 2024-25. Leghari stressed the need to reverse this trend. "We acknowledge the pressing need to revitalise our trade engagement and reaffirm our shared aspiration to elevate bilateral trade up to $100 million," he said. Both sides agreed to diversify exports and imports, revive the Pakistan-Kyrgyz Joint Business Council, and organise B2B exchanges, business forums, and trade fairs. Three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed. The first was between Kyrgyzstan's Centre for Standardisation and Metrology and Pakistan's Standards and Quality Control Authority to collaborate on conformity assessment, metrology, and quality systems. The second MoU was between Kyrgyzstan's National Investments Agency and Pakistan's Board of Investment to promote investment, especially in textiles, minerals, IT, pharmaceuticals, and tourism. The third MoU involved Halal trade cooperation between Pakistan's Halal Authority and Kyrgyzstan's Halal Development Centre. Energy and environmental cooperation were also discussed. Kyrgyzstan proposed joint work on a power transmission line linking Kyrgyzstan, China, and Pakistan. Both sides agreed to explore electricity imports, renewable energy, hydrocarbons, mining, and institutional partnerships. Connectivity and logistics were key themes. Both sides agreed to strengthen postal services, cargo, civil aviation, and rail transport. Pakistan urged Kyrgyz airlines to shift from charter to scheduled flights. Kyrgyzstan proposed a new air route via China and invited Pakistani participation in a high-speed fibre-optic cable project. On finance, the State Bank of Pakistan and the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic agreed to cooperate on Islamic banking, financial innovation, and training programmes through Pakistan's National Institute of Banking and Finance. Health and pharmaceutical cooperation were also advanced. The sides agreed to support Pakistani pharmaceutical exports to Kyrgyzstan, ease medicine registration, and explore joint vaccine production with the National Institute of Health. Discussions also focused on public procurement participation and regulatory alignment. Cultural exchange was highlighted as essential to people-to-people ties. Both sides agreed to increase cultural events, sports participation, and content sharing between media outlets. Cooperation in cinema and broadcasting training was proposed. Education and scientific collaboration were emphasised. Pakistan pledged continued support to Kyrgyz students through the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme (PTAP). Joint research, academic exchanges, and training in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) will be encouraged. The two countries also agreed to explore labour cooperation through a Joint Working Group. Tourism and hospitality also featured in talks. Both nations agreed to finalise an MoU and promote tour operator exchanges, joint exhibitions, and marketing of natural and cultural heritage. Agriculture cooperation gained momentum with the signing of an MoU on trade in Kyrgyz legumes and Pakistani Basmati rice. Veterinary and phytosanitary control collaboration will ensure food safety and efficiency in trade. Pakistan welcomed Kyrgyz interest in investing in its mining sector, especially in copper and gold. Discussions also included digital commerce and implementing cargo operations under a 1995 transportation agreement. Leghari called the At-Bashi Logistics Centre offer to Pakistan's National Logistics Corporation a model of enterprise-level cooperation and proposed enhancing online visibility of investment opportunities through updated SEZ and tax incentive information. On energy, Pakistan reiterated its interest in the proposed 500 kV TorugartXUARGilgit Baltistan transmission line as part of a KyrgyzstanChinaPakistan electricity corridor. In conclusion, both sides agreed to hold the 6th IGC session in Kyrgyzstan, with dates to be decided through diplomatic channels. The Ministry of Economic Affairs called the session a key milestone in Pakistan's engagement with Central Asia. "These initiatives will contribute to sustainable development, shared prosperity, and stronger people-to-people ties," the ministry stated. Leghari echoed this vision in his concluding remarks: "Let us reaffirm our commitment to fostering a stronger, integrated, and resilient partnership anchored in mutual respect, cooperation, and regional peace."
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan govt earns Rs46.73bn from scrap sale of 16 units
ISLAMABAD: The Power Division announced on Friday that the government has successfully sold scrap from 16 units for Rs46.73 billion. According to an official statement following the Prime Minister's announcement, substantial progress has been made in selling scrap from old and defunct government power generation plants. The reserve price for scrap from a total of 61 units was set at Rs45.817 billion, while the actual sale exceeded expectations, fetching Rs46.73 billion. The reserve price was determined by experts from the State Bank of Pakistan. In the first phase, scrap from 31 units was sold to private bidders for Rs8.475 billion, against a reserve price of Rs7.593 billion. Contracts with the successful bidders in this phase have already been finalized. Leghari urges chief ministers to scrap electricity duty from bills starting July During the second phase, scrap from 30 government power plants was sold for Rs38.255 billion, slightly above the reserve price of Rs38.224 billion. Contracts for this phase have also been completed. The government thermal power plants included in the second phase are Jamshoro Block I & II, Guddu II, Sukkur, Quetta, Muzaffargarh Block I and Block II, and Faisalabad. Employees of these government thermal power plants are being deployed in electricity distribution companies to utilize their services. These defunct government power plants were incurring annual expenses of billions of rupees. This sale has not only resulted in annual savings of billions of rupees at the national level, but the services of employees are also being effectively utilized. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Govt earns Rs46.73bn from scrap sale of 16 units
ISLAMABAD: The Power Division announced on Friday that the government has successfully sold scrap from 16 units for Rs46.73 billion. According to an official statement following the Prime Minister's announcement, substantial progress has been made in selling scrap from old and defunct government power generation plants. The reserve price for scrap from a total of 61 units was set at Rs45.817 billion, while the actual sale exceeded expectations, fetching Rs46.73 billion. The reserve price was determined by experts from the State Bank of Pakistan. In the first phase, scrap from 31 units was sold to private bidders for Rs8.475 billion, against a reserve price of Rs7.593 billion. Contracts with the successful bidders in this phase have already been finalized. Leghari urges chief ministers to scrap electricity duty from bills starting July During the second phase, scrap from 30 government power plants was sold for Rs38.255 billion, slightly above the reserve price of Rs38.224 billion. Contracts for this phase have also been completed. The government thermal power plants included in the second phase are Jamshoro Block I & II, Guddu II, Sukkur, Quetta, Muzaffargarh Block I and Block II, and Faisalabad. Employees of these government thermal power plants are being deployed in electricity distribution companies to utilize their services. These defunct government power plants were incurring annual expenses of billions of rupees. This sale has not only resulted in annual savings of billions of rupees at the national level, but the services of employees are also being effectively utilized. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Leghari tells World Bank delegation: CTBCM to enter final phase in two months
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, has announced that the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM) will enter its final implementation phase within the next two months. The Minister made this statement during a meeting with a high-level World Bank delegation, led by Ousmane Dione, the Regional Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The Power Division had earlier informed representatives of nearly a dozen development partners that the commercial operations of CTBCM are expected to begin by the end of September 2025. CTBCM: Commercial operations may begin by Sept-end The long-awaited policy will allow Bulk Power Consumers (BPCs) — those with a demand of 1MW or more — to procure electricity through independent bilateral contracts with competitive suppliers, sources told Business Recorder. According to the Power Division, the framework for viable open access charges (wheeling) and a transparent mechanism for allocating wheeling quantum are in the final stages of development. The operationalization of the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) will play a critical role in facilitating CTBCM implementation. Minister Leghari explained that CTBCM will enable free trade of electricity within the market. Under this model, wheeling charges and other mechanisms are being introduced, while the government's role will be confined to regulation. He emphasized that the transition will be gradual, guided by a comprehensive strategy to ensure system stability. During the meeting, Leghari provided the World Bank delegation with a detailed briefing on Pakistan's energy reforms, including the net metering policy, privatization efforts, regulatory enhancements, and investment opportunities. He underscored that Pakistan's policy direction is clearly focused on encouraging private sector participation and enhancing transparency, with an open invitation to international investors to join this transformation. Ousmane Dione welcomed the energy sector reforms and highlighted the critical role of energy in national development. He reaffirmed the World Bank's continued support for Pakistan, emphasizing its commitment to fostering a sustainable, reliable, and investment-friendly energy system. The Federal Minister also presented the delegation with a comprehensive booklet detailing ongoing reforms in the energy sector and expressed optimism that the partnership between Pakistan and the World Bank would continue to strengthen. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Learn to live with floods: IRSA member
Disasters like floods cannot be fully controlled, therefore, "we must learn to live with them," said Engineer Ehsan Leghari, Sindh's representative in the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), while addressing a seminar. He said that while environmental changes contribute to natural disasters, weak governance and lack of disaster preparedness also worsen the situation. The seminar was jointly organised by MetaMeta Research Netherlands and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh to review lessons learnt from the catastrophic 2022 floods and to discuss ways to minimise future losses. Leghari pointed out that the incomplete Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) and Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) projects, weak barrage embankments, and widespread encroachments along canal banks were among the key reasons behind repeated flooding in Sindh. "The floods of 2010 and 2022 have exposed serious vulnerabilities. Now is the time to formulate a comprehensive strategy for flood preparedness to mitigate future damages," he stressed.
