Latest news with #PESCO
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Switzerland to expand EU defense ties with new cyber-defense role
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Switzerland has received the European Union's approval to join a multinational military cybersecurity project, the EU's Council announced this week. The decision allows Switzerland to become part of the Estonian-led Cyber Ranges Federations project under the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) framework, marking a notable advance in Swiss–EU military cooperation. This comes despite Bern's famously longstanding policy of strict military neutrality. Switzerland had applied to join the project in October of last year, shortly after submitting an application for another joint project focused on military mobility. Two formalities remain before becoming a full project member: Estonia must invite Switzerland to the cooperation, and Bern needs a so-called administrative arrangement with the EU governing formalities such a data exchange and other parameters. The Swiss government welcomed this week's EU decision, saying that the country 'will take part in the European PESCO project.' Switzerland has beefed up its own cyber defense capabilities in recent years with its Swiss Cyber Training Range and a Cyber-Defence Campus. The EU's Cyber Ranges Federations initiative seeks to centralize capacity, pool unique services and automate processes across member states, reducing manual workload during exercises and accelerating the development of advanced cybersecurity technologies. Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Italy and Luxembourg are already members of the project, in addition to Estonia. Under PESCO's third-state participation rules established in 2020, non-EU countries may join individual projects if they share EU values and pose no threat to member states' security interests. The Council confirmed that Switzerland meets the required political, legal and substantive criteria and will bring 'substantial added value and mutual benefit' to the federation, it said in a press release. The Council retains oversight of third-state involvement and may adjust conditions should security considerations evolve, ensuring alignment with the EU's collective defense objectives. Swiss defense planners have balanced these new engagements with Bern's policy of armed neutrality, with federal officials calling cooperation in PESCO initiatives 'ad hoc collaboration on specific projects which are thematically in the interest of both parties and which do not create critical dependencies for neutrality.' Participation in the cyber project enables Switzerland to contribute – and benefit from – expertise and infrastructure without entangling the country too deeply in broader EU defense commitments, from Bern's point of view. The Swiss government said that 'participation will take place selectively and on a needs-oriented basis.' The latest project represents part of Switzerland's broader strategic approach to selective participation in PESCO projects that align with its defense interests while maintaining neutrality. It's not Switzerland's first brush with EU defense initiatives. In January, the government received the green light to join an EU-led military mobility project, which it applied for in September 2024. The Military Mobility project aims to simplify and standardize national cross-border military transport procedures, enabling swift movement of military personnel and assets throughout the EU via road, rail, sea, or air. Other non-EU countries, such as the UK, Northway, the USA and Canada are also part of this project. In addition to deepening engagement with the EU, Switzerland has also been a member of NATO's partnership for peace since the 1990s, as has its neutral eastern neighbor, Austria. Hardline neutrality defenders have long taken issue with Swiss engagement on military projects beyond its own borders. Their criticism received new urgency in the aftermath of Russia's attack on Ukraine in 2022. Last year, a civil movement garnered more 130,000 certified signatures to organize a national referendum on strengthening Switzerland's international neutrality. The referendum organizers specifically want to prevent what they see as a gradual erosion of Switzerland's traditional neutrality through strengthened international defense cooperation.
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CAT upholds CCP decision against PESCO
ISLAMABAD: The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) has upheld the decision of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) against Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) and directed it to restore the Right of Way (ROW) facility on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms for all service providers, including fiber optic and local internet/cable TV operators. Disposing of the appeal, the CAT further directed PESCO to formulate a new policy within 30 days. The CCP had initiated an enquiry after receiving formal complaints from Cyber Internet Services (Private) Limited and Nayatel (Private) Limited, alleging discriminatory practices in ROW charges. The investigation revealed that PESCO was charging Rs 100 per pole from internet service providers like Nayatel, while demanding only Rs 10 per pole from local cable TV operators. Following the issuance of a show-cause notice by CCP, PESCO's Board of Directors annulled its existing policy and decided to withdraw the ROW facility entirely for all service providers, including both cable TV and fiber optic operators. In its final order, the Commission found that PESCO had abused its dominant position, constituting a violation of Section 3 of the Competition Act, 2010. During proceedings before the CAT, CCP's counsel argued that PESCO's actions contravened the Public and Private Right of Way Policy Directives issued by the Government of Pakistan. The counsel further highlighted that, under the prevailing legal framework, licensed service providers are entitled to use poles owned by government-managed or private electricity distribution companies for aerial fiber optic installations—upon payment of government-determined rent. The CCP maintained that PESCO holds a dominant position in the ROW market within its service jurisdiction, as it solely owns and controls the electricity poles used for such installations, with no viable alternatives available to service providers. The Commission has reiterated its recommendation to all electricity distribution companies to develop a uniform and non-discriminatory policy for Right of Way and broadband deployment, addressing legitimate space, access, and safety concerns in the process. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PESCO chairman presents three-month action plan
PESHAWAR: Chairman PESCO Himayatullah Khan met with Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahab Ali Shah, to present a comprehensive three-month action plan aimed at resolving key challenges faced by electricity consumers in the province. He was accompanied by CEO PESCO Akhtar Hamid Khan and other senior officials. During the meeting, Chairman PESCO Himayatullah Khan laid out the strategic components of the plan, which focuses on minimizing load management during the summer months, accelerating recovery from provincial government departments, intensifying anti-theft operations to reduce losses, and implementing other operational improvements. Both Chairman PESCO and Chief Secretary KP agreed on the urgent need to minimize load management through the reduction of transmission and distribution (T&D) losses. The Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of creating a balanced load management plan to ensure fairness and efficiency in electricity distribution. PESCO chairman also voiced serious concerns about the security of PESCO grid stations, particularly during summer, citing incidents where protestors forcibly entered grid stations, disrupting the power supply. In response, the Chief Secretary assured full support from district administrations to safeguard PESCO infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted electricity flow. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Power Division applauds PESCO for remarkable progress
The Power Division has commended the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) for its outstanding performance and significant reforms during the current fiscal year. In a high-level meeting held at the Power Division, the Minister for Power, alongside Secretary Power expressed appreciation to Chairman Board of Directors PESCO, Himayatullah Khan and their team for the strides made by the company in improving operational efficiency and service delivery. He added that if the current trend continues, there is a strong likelihood that the transmission and distribution (T&D) and recovery targets set for Pesco till June 2025 may be achieved. The Minister for Power praised PESCO's leadership for its dynamic and targeted initiatives that have led to a marked improvement in key performance indicators. Particular recognition was given to the robust policy measures implemented under the supervision of Chairman Pesco, which included industrial sector reforms, an aggressive crackdown on power theft, installation of smart and AMR meters, and a wide-reaching revenue recovery campaign. Thanks to these efforts, PESCO has achieved a noticeable reduction in T&D losses - bringing the figure down to 34.73% in the current fiscal year from 36.02% % previous year. Simultaneously, revenue collection surged to an impressive 88.73%, reflecting enhanced operational efficiency and consumer compliance thus improving the financial health of the company. Notably, during March 2025 alone, T&D losses were reduced, and revenue recovery improved by 4% compared to the same month in the previous year. As a result, financial losses dropped significantly to Rs8.06 billion in March 2025 from Rs12.06 billion in March 2024 - a testament to the effectiveness of reforms. It was also highlighted in the meeting that The Chairman of the Board of Directors PESCO, Himayatullah Khan, has placed a strong emphasis on implementing industrial reforms to ensure a reliable and uninterrupted power supply to the industrial sector. These initiatives are set to significantly increase the energy demand of PESCO while driving industrial growth and boosting the overall economy of the area. Further emphasizing infrastructure development, PESCO has actively pursued the construction of new grid stations, energization of 11KV feeders, and strategic area planning. This includes separating good-paying areas and industrial consumers from general consumers to optimize supply and revenue outcomes. In a technological leap, PESCO has introduced Automated Meter Reading Infrastructure to eliminate manual meter reading, ensuring accurate billing and minimizing human error. These advancements underscore the company's commitment to modernization and transparency.
Express Tribune
15-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Senior civil judge, lawyer gunned down in Nowshera
A senior civil judge and a lawyer were gunned down on the motorway near Rashakai area of Nowshera when they were going to Peshawar from Mardan. The police said Senior Civil Judge Admin Mardan Hayat Ullah s/o Pir Gul, resident of Swat, was on his way to Peshawar from Mardan along with his friend Khalid Khan, a lawyer, when unknown assailants ambushed their car and killed both of them. The outlaws managed to escape after the incident. The police cordoned off the area and started a search operation. An old property dispute is stated to be the motive behind the incident. Ex-Nazim shot dead in Kohat In another tragic incident, former District Nazim Malik Asad was shot dead by unknown assailants near Bilitang Police Station, Kohat. Malik Asad had also served as PESCO chairman. His two brothers ex-DIG Peshawar Malik Saad and Director Intelligence Karachi Malik Muhammad Salim had also become victims of terrorist activities in the past. After the incident, the police reached the spot, cordoned off the area and started a search operation.
