ISLAMABAD: One of Pakistan’s largest domestic cement producers, Lucky Cement, will set up a hybrid wind and solar power project under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), state media said on Monday.
Private investment is low and declining in Pakistan, which has very low rates of private investment relative to regional and comparable countries, around one-third of the South Asia average, according to World Bank data released in 2023. Private investment declined from an average of 13.7 percent of GDP in the 2000s to around 10 percent in FY21.
The government set up the SIFC last year to attract foreign investment and also create better conditions and remove bottlenecks for domestic companies who have historically faced unfair competition from state-owned entities undertaking commercial operations and received little support when seeking to access new overseas markets.
“Special Investment Facilitation Council is supporting private companies for development of energy sector,” Radio Pakistan reported. “As part of these efforts, Lucky Cement has planned a hybrid wind and solar power project which will generate environment friendly electricity.”
In the past, Lucky Cement has commissioned a 42.8 MW solar power plant in Karachi.
Power consumption in Pakistan has declined 8-10 percent year on year over the past three quarters, according to energy ministry data. Power consumption is a significant economic indicator in the developing economy and another expected decline this year underscores challenges facing the newly elected government in debt-laden Pakistan, amid growing discontent among the poor.
Poor and middle class households are still feeling the impact of the International Monetary Fund’s bailout of Pakistan last year, which contributed to rising retail prices including fuel and electricity charges.
Power cuts are also frequent in Pakistan, especially in far flung rural areas, due to grid issues, delays in importing fuel and hard currency shortages, though the frequency of such outages have reduced in the recent months.
Lucky Cement to set up hybrid wind-solar power plant under Pakistan’s special investment body
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Lucky Cement to set up hybrid wind-solar power plant under Pakistan’s special investment body
- In the past, Lucky Cement has commissioned 42.8 MW solar power plant in Karachi
- Power consumption in Pakistan has declined 8-10% year on year in past 3 quarters
Pakistan says light rains forecast from Nov. 14-16 likely to reduce Punjab smog
- Toxic smog has shrouded Pakistan’s cultural capital Lahore and 17 other districts in Punjab since last month
- Rain expected to occur in Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Rawalpindi and other districts on Nov. 14
ISLAMABAD: Light rains from Nov. 14-16 in most districts of Punjab are likely to reduce smog in the eastern province, the Pakistan Meteorological (Met) Department said on Wednesday, as the deteriorating air quality continues to put the health of millions of people at risk.
Toxic smog has shrouded Lahore and 17 other districts in Punjab since last month. Health officials say more than 40,000 people have been treated for respiratory ailments forcing Punjab to close schools until Nov. 17 to protect children’s health. The UN children’s agency has warned that the health of 11 million children in Punjab is in danger due to air pollution.
South Asia, particularly India and Pakistan, is shrouded in intense pollution every winter as cold air traps emissions, dust, and smoke from farm fires. Pollution could cut more than five years from people’s life expectancy in the region, a study found last year.
“According to the Meteorological Department, rains are likely in Punjab from November 14 to 16,” PDMA Punjab said. “Director General PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said that the possible rains are likely to reduce smog.”
Rains are expected to lash Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Jhelum, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Mianwali, Khushab and Sargodha districts of Punjab, with thunderstorms predicted for Bhakkar, Layyah, and Dera Ghazi Khan districts on Nov. 15.
The Met Department urged people to wear face masks as a precautionary measure against smog and not to venture out unnecessarily.
Seasonal crop burn-off by farmers on the outskirts of Lahore also contributed to toxic air, which the World Health Organization says can cause strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.
Pakistan’s top disaster management body has urged people to avoid stepping outdoors during smog peak hours in the morning, wear masks during outdoor activities, stay hydrated and use dehumidifiers.
Last Friday, Pakistani authorities ordered the closure of all parks and museums for 10 days, urging people to avoid unnecessary travel.
In October, Punjab identified four hotspots in the city where it imposed restrictions. These included banning auto rickshaws with polluting two-stroke engines, along with restaurants that operate barbecues without filters.
UK announces program to improve education access for over 250,000 Pakistani children
- With $25.2 million contribution over three years, program aims to support children in English, Math and Urdu
- Program to primarily focus on children from South Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, says British Council
ISLAMABAD: With a contribution of $25.2 million (Rs 7.2 billion) over three years, the United Kingdom hopes to provide over 250,000 Pakistani children better access to education, focusing primarily on the country’s eastern Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the British Council said on Wednesday.
Pakistan has an estimated 22.8 million out-of-school children, the second highest in the world, according to UNICEF. A majority of them, about 12.2 million, are girls who face cultural and social barriers preventing them from seeking formal education especially in rural areas.
Funded by the British High Commission in Pakistan and delivered by the British Council, the service delivery component of Girls and Out of School Children’s Action for Learning (GOAL) program, “Khilo aur Barho” will see children receive support with their Urdu, Math and English subjects. The five-year program, from January 2023 to December 2027, aims to build more inclusive provincial education systems delivering quality education in KP and Punjab.
“The UK is set to help over 250,000 children in Pakistan access better education,” the British High Commission said in a statement. “Through the service delivery component of Girls and Out of School Children’s Action for Learning (GOAL) program, Khilo aur Barho, the UK’s £20 million contribution will help break down barriers to education, enhance literacy and numeracy skills, and strengthen a resilient and effective education system in Pakistan over the next three years.”
It added that 10 percent of the participants would be children with disabilities while 20 percent will comprise from marginalized groups.
“This support will focus on their ability, rather than their age, helping them to catch up on these subjects quicker,” the statement said.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said Pakistan was facing an “education emergency” with $26.2 million children out of school.
“This targeted support will make sure some of the most vulnerable children in the country don’t fall behind,” she said. “The UK is already a significant supporter of education in Pakistan, supporting over 4.5 million children across Pakistan to access a decent education over the past 10 years.”
Pakistan’s Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said his ministry is focused on facilitating each of the provinces to connect with international and local partners to fight learning poverty in every district, with a special focus on lagging districts.
“I am hoping that GOAL will show how you deliver that successfully in 14 most challenging districts. We will stand ready to help in every way to make it a success,” he said.
In 2022, the UK had donated $160 million (Rs45.76 billion) to support women’s education in Pakistan.
According to WorldMetrics, Pakistan’s literacy rate stood at 59 percent, while the country grapples with the challenge of 23 million out-of-school children.
The government’s spending on education remains low, at just 2.8 percent of GDP, contributing to poor infrastructure, limited access to quality education and a shortage of trained teachers, particularly in rural areas.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi reclaims number 1 spot in ODI bowler rankings
- Shaheen Afridi took eight wickets in three matches against Australia at 12.62 average this month
- Pacer Haris Rauf rises to career-best number 13 as ex-captain Babar Azam remains top ODI-ranked batter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s left arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi reclaimed his number one spot in the ICC ODI Bowler Rankings, the cricket governing body announced on Wednesday, after a successful tour against world champions Australia this year.
Afridi regained his place as the top bowler in the 50-over cricket format after he took eight wickets across three matches against Australia in the ODI series that concluded last week. Afridi, who recorded an impressive average of 12.62 during the three matches, helped Pakistan secure a 2-1 series win against the 2023 world champions. This was Pakistan’s first series win against Australia since 2002.
The achievement helped Afridi move up three places and take the premier position from South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj, who was pushed down two spots to number three while Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan remains in second place.
“Pakistan have received a boost just months out from the start of next year’s ICC Champions Trophy with news that pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi has re-claimed the No.1 ranking on the latest ICC Men’s ODI Bowler Rankings,” the ICC said in a report.
Afridi has previously first held the number one bowler ranking midway through last year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India.
Meanwhile, fellow Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf improved 14 places to secure the number 13 spot, reaching a new career-high rating. Rauf was awarded Player of the Series against Australia after taking 10 wickets against the 2023 champions.
“Afridi’s rise to the top means Pakistan now have the top-ranked player in both batting and bowling in ODI cricket, with former skipper Babar Azam increasing his lead at the top of the batter charts following 80 runs against Australia when dismissed just once,” the ICC said.
Pakistan will play their first of three T20I matches against Australia in Brisbane on Thursday.
Pakistan’s northwestern province approaches center again to acquire national airline PIA
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this month formally expressed intent to buy PIA to keep it under government control
- Pakistan last month kickstarted flag carrier’s privatization process, attracting a sole bid of Rs10 billion [$36 million]
PESHAWAR: The northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has recently sought an update from the federal government over its earlier intent to acquire the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), reiterating its resolve to “revitalize” the national airline as Islamabad looks to privatize the state-owned asset.
KP’s Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) wrote a letter to federal officials on Nov. 1, expressing its intent to top the sole bid of Rs10 billion ($36 million) it received last month to acquire the PIA. The provincial government said it wanted the national flag carrier to remain under government control to preserve its status as an asset that symbolizes Pakistan’s pride.
Cash-strapped Pakistan is looking to offload a 51-100 percent stake in debt-ridden PIA to raise funds and reform state-owned enterprises as envisaged under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund program. The process, however, hit a snag last month when the final bidding round attracted just one bid of Rs10 billion ($36 million) for a 60 percent stake in the national flag carrier.
In a letter dated Nov. 11, the KP-BOIT demanded an update on its Nov. 1 expression of interest in acquiring the airline.
“Given the strategic importance of this process and the strong support for this initiative from the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment & Trade, we kindly seek an update on the status of KP-BOIT’s proposal,” the letter said.
“KP-BOIT is fully committed to preserving and revitalizing PIA, ensuring its legacy as the National Flag Carrier.”
The board said that the KP chief minister and its team were fully committed to ensuring the national airline “return to prominence” and secure its future under the KP-BOIT, supported by its investors.
“The leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is prepared to offer substantial backing and resources to accomplish these objectives,” the letter added. “KP-BOIT would appreciate any indication of when KP-BOIT might expect to discuss this matter further.”
KP-BOIT said its team is ready to share its strategic vision and present a “competitive and compelling bid” for the national airline.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, chief of the ruling party in Pakistan’s Punjab, said this month that the province was also considering acquiring the national flag carrier. A business group in Canada led by a Pakistani expat also threw its hat in the ring to acquire the airline this month, offering the Pakistan government around Rs100 billion ($358 million) to acquire the debt-ridden national carrier.
The disposal of PIA is a step former governments have steered away from, as it has been highly unpopular given the number of layoffs that would likely result from it.
Other concerns raised by potential bidders for the PIA stake included inconsistent government communication, unattractive terms and taxes on the sector, and the flag carrier’s legacy issues and reputation.
Imran Khan’s party announces ‘long march’ to Islamabad on Nov. 24
- PTI is protesting alleged rigging of elections, calling for release of political prisoners, independence of judiciary
- Pakistan’s government denies being unfair in Khan’s treatment, election commission denies elections were rigged
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has called a ‘long march’ to the capital, Islamabad, on Nov. 24 over alleged rigging in Feb. 8 general elections and to call for the release of political prisoners and the independence of the judiciary, the jailed leader’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party said on Wednesday.
Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and has faced dozens of cases since he was removed as prime minister in 2022 after which he launched a protest movement against a coalition of his rivals led by current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and backed by the all-powerful military, which denies interfering in politics.
Khan says cases against him, which disqualified him from contesting the February elections, are politically motivated.
“Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf announcing long march on 24 November, toward Islamabad with 3 basic demands,” the party said in a statement to reporters.
The PTI’s first demand is a rollback of recent constitutional amendments like the 26th amendment that the PTI says is an attempt to curtail the independence of the senior judiciary.
“Release of party leadership and workers,” the PTI said. “Return of stolen mandate, 2024 election by far, the most controversial and farce election.”
Speaking in Lahore, Khan’s sister Aleema Khan also announced the protest call.
“Today you will have to decide if we want to live in martial law or in freedom,” Aleema said. “And on Nov. 24, Imran Khan has today [Wednesday] asked a call for Islamabad.”
Pakistan’s government denies being unfair in Khan’s treatment and its election commission denies the elections were rigged. The government also says the amendments related to the judiciary are meant to smooth out its functioning and tackle a backlog of cases.
