Latest news with #PAKISTANIS
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Solar overtakes the grid in Pakistan
PAKISTANIS are increasingly ditching the national grid in favour of solar power, prompting a boom in rooftop panels and spooking a government weighed down by billions of dollars of power sector debt. The quiet energy revolution has spread from wealthy neighbourhoods to middle- and lower-income households as customers look to escape soaring electricity bills and prolonged power cuts. Down a cramped alley in Pakistan's megacity of Karachi, residents fighting the sweltering summer heat gather in Fareeda Saleem's modest home for something they never experienced before – uninterrupted power. 'Solar makes life easier, but it's a hard choice for people like us,' she says of the installation cost. Saleem was cut from the grid last year for refusing to pay her bills in protest over enduring 18-hour power cuts. A widow and mother of two disabled children, she sold her jewellery – a prized possession for women in Pakistan – and borrowed money from relatives to buy two solar panels, a solar inverter and battery to store energy, for 180,000 rupees. As temperatures pass 40°C, children duck under Saleem's door and gather around the breeze of her fan. Mounted on poles above homes, solar panels have become a common sight across the country of 240 million people, with the installation cost typically recovered within two to five years. Fareeda enjoying 'uninterrupted power' after installing an inverter at her home in Karachi. — AFP Making up less than 2% of the energy mix in 2020, solar power reached 10.3% in 2024, according to the global energy think tank Ember. But in a remarkable acceleration, it more than doubled to 24% in the first five months of 2025, becoming the largest source of energy production for the first time. It has edged past gas, coal and nuclear electricity sources, as well as hydropower which has seen hundreds of millions of dollars of investment over the past decades. As a result, Pakistan has unexpectedly surged towards its target of renewable energy, making up 60% of its energy mix by 2030. Dave Jones, chief analyst at Ember, says Pakistan is 'a leader in rooftop solar'. Soaring fuel costs globally, coupled with demands from the International Monetary Fund to slash government subsidies, led successive administrations to repeatedly hike electricity costs. Prices have fluctuated since 2022 but peaked at a 155% increase and power bills sometimes outweigh the cost of rent. 'The great solar rush is not the result of any government's policy push,' said Muhammad Basit Ghauri, an energy transition expert at Renewables First. 'Residents have taken the decision out of clear frustration over our classical power system, which is essentially based on a lot of inefficiencies.' Pakistan sources most of its solar equipment from neighbouring China, where prices have dropped sharply, largely driven by overproduction and tech advancements. But the fall in national grid consumers has crept up on an unprepared government burdened by US$8bil of power sector debt, analysts say. Pakistan depends heavily on costly gas imports, which it sells at a loss to national energy providers. Arsalan Arif, a local businessman, cleaning solar panels installed on his house's rooftop in Pakistan's port city of Karachi. — AFP It is also tied into lengthy contracts with independent power producers, including some owned by China, for which it pays a fixed amount regardless of actual demand. A government report in March said the solar power increase has created a 'disproportionate financial burden onto grid consumers, contributing to higher electricity tariffs and undermining the sustainability of the energy sector'. Electricity sales dropped 2.8% year-on-year in June, marking a second consecutive year of decline. In June, the government imposed a new 10% tax on all imported solar while the energy ministry has proposed slashing the rate at which it buys excess solar energy from consumers. 'The household solar boom was a response to a crisis, not the cause of it,' said analyst Jones, warning of 'substantial problems for the grid' including a surge during evenings when solar users who cannot store energy return to traditional power. The national grid is losing paying customers like businessman Arsalan Arif. A third of his income was spent on electricity bills at his Karachi home until he bought a 10-kilowatt solar panel for around 1.4 million rupees. 'Before, I didn't follow a timetable. I was always disrupted by the power outages,' he said. Now he has 'freedom and certainty' to continue his catering business. In the eastern city of Sialkot, safety wear manufacturer Hammad Noor switched to solar power in 2023. Since then he has been calling it his 'best business decision'. He broke even in 18 months and is now saving one million rupees every month. The cost of converting Noor's second factory has now risen by nearly 1.5 million rupees under the new government tax. 'The tax imposed is unfair and gives an advantage to big businesses over smaller ones,' he said. 'Policymakers seem completely disconnected from the public and business community.' — AFP
India Today
28-04-2025
- Business
- India Today
Pakistanis turn minister into meme over India remark, ask him 'kya phoonka'
A statement by Pakistan's interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, where he claimed that "India couldn't tolerate Pakistan's growing economic growth", has triggered a meme feast, with many people making fun of him and asking what did he "smoke" before making such a ludicrous who also alleged India of "spreading terrorism" on Sunday claimed that "India couldn't tolerate Pakistan's growing economic growth", reported Such world must see how the country that claims to be the largest democracy is using terrorism to achieve its objectives," Naqvi, who is also the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. Naqvi's statement followed a slew of diplomatic measures announced by India against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, that was orchestrated by Islamabad. New Delhi's countermeasures included the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and downgrading ties with Pakistan, among followed was an escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, with some Pakistani leaders even issuing nuclear threats.'BRO HIGH', PAKISTANIS ASK THEIR MINISTER AFTER INDIA STATEMENTReacting to Naqvi's statement, Pakistanis started making fun of him, many asking what he smoked before claiming such a thing."Kya phook kar aesi statement dete hain? (we all know what it is)," Reddit user BeginningSeaweed8944, wrote. Replying to which another said, "Yes we do".advertisement"Bro, high on something?" asked another Reddit user, one Reddit user posted, "He is joining the meme gang by making such laughable statements," another user, SupermarketHot3576, said, "Now that is the bestttt meme"."He's himself a meme," replied another ECONOMY IS IN DOLDRUMSThen, another user reminded Naqvi of Pakistan's financial situation, saying, "Hamari economy ko to khud lose motion laga hua Hain".Naqvi's comparision remark showed his ignorance of Pakistan's economic condition, and that of India per capita income stands at $1,300, which is less than that of India's, which is $2, economic landscape in Pakistan has been grim. Inflation is soaring at 38.5% (May 2023) and is causing significant distress to the underprivileged. The economy is struggling with negative growth, and foreign exchange reserves have dwindled to $3.7 billion (April 2025), covering just about two weeks of essential September 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailed out the ailing economy and approved a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for the beleaguered Pakistan's economy. However, even the IMF's assistance has still not been enough to propel growth in Pakistan's is required to repay over $22 billion in external debt in the financial year 2025, including nearly $13 billion in bilateral deposits, according to American credit rating agency, faces a double challenge: mounting economic pressures and persistent political instability, which is together threatening the country's Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, Pakistan-sponsored terrorists opened fire and killed at least 26 people on April 22. Following the attack, India announced a major diplomatic offensive against Pakistan.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Factbox-What is the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan
By Sarita Chaganti Singh and Ariba Shahid NEW DELHI/KARACHI (Reuters) - India said it would immediately suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan as part of measures to downgrade diplomatic ties with its neighbour after militants attacked tourists in Kashmir, killing 26 men. The treaty had survived two wars between the bitter rivals and withstood many twists and turns in diplomatic ties before New Delhi's decision on Wednesday. WHAT IS THE INDUS WATERS TREATY? The nuclear-armed neighbours disagree over use of the water from rivers that flow downstream from India into the Indus river basin in Pakistan. The use of the water is governed by the Indus Waters Treaty, which was mediated by the World Bank and signed by the neighbours in September 1960. The agreement split the Indus and its tributaries between the two countries and regulated water sharing. India was granted the use of water from three eastern rivers - Sutlej, Beas and Ravi - while Pakistan was granted most of the three western rivers - Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. There is no provision in the treaty for either country to unilaterally suspend or terminate the pact, which has clear dispute resolution systems. WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS OVER WATER? The nuclear-armed neighbours have argued over and disputed several projects on the Indus and its tributaries in India for years. Pakistan is heavily dependent on water from this river system for its hydropower and irrigation needs. Pakistan says India unfairly diverts water with the upstream construction of barrages and dams, a charge India denies. Pakistan is concerned that India's dams will cut flows on the river, which feeds 80% of its irrigated agriculture. It has asked for a neutral expert and then an arbitration court to intervene in two recent hydropower projects. India has accused Pakistan of dragging out the complaints process, and says the construction of its Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects is allowed under the treaty. It has also sought modification of the pact to get around such delays. WHAT COULD THE SUSPENSION CHANGE? The suspension of the accord is not expected to have an immediate impact on the flow of water to Pakistan as India does not have enough storage capacity. But India's move could bring uncertainty for Pakistan's agricultural system. The suspension means India can stop sharing crucial information and data on release of water from barrages/dams or on flooding, Indian officials said, adding that New Delhi will also not be obliged to release minimum amounts of water during the lean season. HOW ARE PAKISTANIS REACTING TO THE DECISION? Pakistan's Power Minister Awais Lekhari called India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty "an act of water warfare; a cowardly, illegal move". Ghasharib Shaokat, the head of product at Pakistan Agriculture Research, called the treaty the backbone of the country's agriculture sector. "It puts our agricultural future on shaky ground. If water flows become erratic, the entire system takes a hit—especially irrigation-dependent crops such as wheat, rice, and sugarcane," Shaokat said. "Yields could drop. Costs could rise. Food prices would likely spike. And small-scale farmers, who already operate on thin margins, would bear the brunt of it." Khalid Hussain Baath, chairman of a national farmers' union in Pakistan, painted the move as an act of belligerence. "This is a true war," Baath said from Lahore. "We already have a water shortage because of climate change. Low rainfall this year, and limited snow means that the water level is already 20-25% lower than last year."
The Star
24-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Factbox-What is the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan
Indian security force personnel stand guard at the site of a suspected militant attack on tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, April 24, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi NEW DELHI/KARACHI (Reuters) - India said it would immediately suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan as part of measures to downgrade diplomatic ties with its neighbour after militants attacked tourists in Kashmir, killing 26 men. The treaty had survived two wars between the bitter rivals and withstood many twists and turns in diplomatic ties before New Delhi's decision on Wednesday. WHAT IS THE INDUS WATERS TREATY? The nuclear-armed neighbours disagree over use of the water from rivers that flow downstream from India into the Indus river basin in Pakistan. The use of the water is governed by the Indus Waters Treaty, which was mediated by the World Bank and signed by the neighbours in September 1960. The agreement split the Indus and its tributaries between the two countries and regulated water sharing. India was granted the use of water from three eastern rivers - Sutlej, Beas and Ravi - while Pakistan was granted most of the three western rivers - Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. There is no provision in the treaty for either country to unilaterally suspend or terminate the pact, which has clear dispute resolution systems. WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS OVER WATER? The nuclear-armed neighbours have argued over and disputed several projects on the Indus and its tributaries in India for years. Pakistan is heavily dependent on water from this river system for its hydropower and irrigation needs. Pakistan says India unfairly diverts water with the upstream construction of barrages and dams, a charge India denies. Pakistan is concerned that India's dams will cut flows on the river, which feeds 80% of its irrigated agriculture. It has asked for a neutral expert and then an arbitration court to intervene in two recent hydropower projects. India has accused Pakistan of dragging out the complaints process, and says the construction of its Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects is allowed under the treaty. It has also sought modification of the pact to get around such delays. WHAT COULD THE SUSPENSION CHANGE? The suspension of the accord is not expected to have an immediate impact on the flow of water to Pakistan as India does not have enough storage capacity. But India's move could bring uncertainty for Pakistan's agricultural system. The suspension means India can stop sharing crucial information and data on release of water from barrages/dams or on flooding, Indian officials said, adding that New Delhi will also not be obliged to release minimum amounts of water during the lean season. HOW ARE PAKISTANIS REACTING TO THE DECISION? Pakistan's Power Minister Awais Lekhari called India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty "an act of water warfare; a cowardly, illegal move". Ghasharib Shaokat, the head of product at Pakistan Agriculture Research, called the treaty the backbone of the country's agriculture sector. "It puts our agricultural future on shaky ground. If water flows become erratic, the entire system takes a hit—especially irrigation-dependent crops such as wheat, rice, and sugarcane," Shaokat said. "Yields could drop. Costs could rise. Food prices would likely spike. And small-scale farmers, who already operate on thin margins, would bear the brunt of it." Khalid Hussain Baath, chairman of a national farmers' union in Pakistan, painted the move as an act of belligerence. "This is a true war," Baath said from Lahore. "We already have a water shortage because of climate change. Low rainfall this year, and limited snow means that the water level is already 20-25% lower than last year." (Reporting by Sarita Chaganti Singh in New Delhi and Ariba Shahid in Karachi; writing by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; Editing by YP Rajesh and Aidan Lewis)
Reuters
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
What is the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan
NEW DELHI/KARACHI, April 24 (Reuters) - India said it would immediately suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan as part of measures to downgrade diplomatic ties with its neighbour after militants attacked tourists in Kashmir, killing 26 men. The treaty had survived two wars between the bitter rivals and withstood many twists and turns in diplomatic ties before New Delhi's decision on Wednesday. WHAT IS THE INDUS WATERS TREATY? The nuclear-armed neighbours disagree over use of the water from rivers that flow downstream from India into the Indus river basin in Pakistan. The use of the water is governed by the Indus Waters Treaty, which was mediated by the World Bank and signed by the neighbours in September 1960. The agreement split the Indus and its tributaries between the two countries and regulated water sharing. India was granted the use of water from three eastern rivers - Sutlej, Beas and Ravi - while Pakistan was granted most of the three western rivers - Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. There is no provision in the treaty for either country to unilaterally suspend or terminate the pact, which has clear dispute resolution systems. WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS OVER WATER? The nuclear-armed neighbours have argued over and disputed several projects on the Indus and its tributaries in India for years. Pakistan is heavily dependent on water from this river system for its hydropower and irrigation needs. Pakistan says India unfairly diverts water with the upstream construction of barrages and dams, a charge India denies. Pakistan is concerned that India's dams will cut flows on the river, which feeds 80% of its irrigated agriculture. It has asked for a neutral expert and then an arbitration court to intervene in two recent hydropower projects. India has accused Pakistan of dragging out the complaints process, and says the construction of its Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects is allowed under the treaty. It has also sought modification of the pact to get around such delays. WHAT COULD THE SUSPENSION CHANGE? The suspension of the accord is not expected to have an immediate impact on the flow of water to Pakistan as India does not have enough storage capacity. But India's move could bring uncertainty for Pakistan's agricultural system. The suspension means India can stop sharing crucial information and data on release of water from barrages/dams or on flooding, Indian officials said, adding that New Delhi will also not be obliged to release minimum amounts of water during the lean season. HOW ARE PAKISTANIS REACTING TO THE DECISION? Pakistan's Power Minister Awais Lekhari called India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty "an act of water warfare; a cowardly, illegal move". Ghasharib Shaokat, the head of product at Pakistan Agriculture Research, called the treaty the backbone of the country's agriculture sector. "It puts our agricultural future on shaky ground. If water flows become erratic, the entire system takes a hit—especially irrigation-dependent crops such as wheat, rice, and sugarcane," Shaokat said. "Yields could drop. Costs could rise. Food prices would likely spike. And small-scale farmers, who already operate on thin margins, would bear the brunt of it." Khalid Hussain Baath, chairman of a national farmers' union in Pakistan, painted the move as an act of belligerence. "This is a true war," Baath said from Lahore. "We already have a water shortage because of climate change. Low rainfall this year, and limited snow means that the water level is already 20-25% lower than last year."
