ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP/DNA):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the relevant authorities to expedite the privatization process of power distribution companies (DISCOs) and generation companies (GENCOs).

Chairing a meeting regarding power sector, the prime minister emphasized that the privatization of the energy system, leading to the establishment of a competitive electricity market, was the sustainable solution to the country’s energy issues.

During the meeting, the prime minister was told that measures were taken to privatize three distribution companies IESCO, FESCO and GEPCO and in this regard Expression of Interest (EoIs) will be published soon.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed to complete the relevant development projects on priority to further improve the power distribution system of the country.

To align the electricity system with modern requirements, the prime minister directed to initiate work on a Battery Energy Storage System through public-private partnerships and involvement of the private sector.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on the progress of power sector roadmap, power generation, distribution, privatization of Discos and Gencos and other reforms being taken in the power sector.

The prime minister was told that PC-I of the 500 KV Ghazi Barotha-Faisalabad transmission line was at the approval stage.

Besides, the technical feasibility to shift the imported power plants to Thar Coal has been completed whereas work on the railway line to transport Thar coal to the power plants is also in progress.

The prime minister was also briefed on operationalization of a competitive electricity market.

The concept clearance proposal for the Battery Energy Storage System project has been approved, and the feasibility study is underway, the prime minister was informed.

The briefing added that as a result of continuous efforts, line losses had decreased compared to last year.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema, Sardar Awais Ahmed Leghari, Advisor Muhammad Ali, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani and other senior officials of the relevant departments.

ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP/DNA):The 75th meeting of the Board of Advanced Studies and Research (BASR) was held at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) during which 12 PhD and 87 MPhil research scholars from the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities & the Faculty of Sciences defended their research synopses.

During the meeting, in order to further enhance research quality, the research synopses of some scholars were returned with instructions for revision.

The meeting was chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr Nasir Mahmood while the agenda was presented by the Director BASR, Prof. Dr Irshad Ahmad Arshad. External experts participated in the meeting, including Prof. Dr Aneela Kamal along with Professors from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), International Islamic University, Fatima Jinnah Women University, University of the Punjab and other renowned universities.

The experts conducted a detailed review of the presented research synopses and offered valuable opinions and suggestions to make them more effective and of higher academic standard.

During the defense of the research synopses, the Vice Chancellor asked various questions to assess the research understanding and competence of the scholars.

The Vice Chancellor further directed that the Doctoral Synopsis Committee (DSC) must ensure thorough and meticulous scrutiny of the quality, comprehensiveness, and academic aspects of research synopses before presenting them to BASR for approval.

Additionally, the Vice Chancellor instructed research scholars that after obtaining approval from the DSC, they should not make any unauthorized changes to their research proposals, so as to maintain continuity, transparency, and quality in the research process.

On this occasion, a large number of deans from various faculties, senior faculty members, and subject experts were present and engaged in detailed and purposeful discussions on research topics.

At the conclusion of the meeting, it was reaffirmed that Allama Iqbal Open University remains fully committed to its vision of promoting research, innovation, and academic excellence.

ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP/DNA): President Asif Ali Zardari extended his warm felicitations to the leadership and people of Kazakhstan as they celebrated their 34th Independence Day on December 16.

The president conveyed his sincere wishes to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and to the people of Kazakhstan for the continued prosperity and stability.

Pakistan remained committed to deepening its partnership with Kazakhstan in pursuit of regional peace and development, he added.

“This occasion marks the adoption of the Law on Independence and State Sovereignty in 1991—a defining moment that set Kazakhstan on its path toward becoming a modern and forward-looking nation,” President Secretariat Press Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying.

He said Kazakhstan’s journey since independence reflected the resilience and steady progress of its people.

This date commemorated Kazakhstan’s declaration as a sovereign democratic state. It also honoured the 1986 Zheltoksan protests in Almaty, where Kazakh youth demonstrated against Soviet policies, symbolizing the people’s resolve for freedom.

“Pakistan and Kazakhstan share close and friendly ties, underpinned by common values and mutual respect. We deeply appreciate Kazakhstan’s steadfast support in international forums, including the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Our cooperation continues to strengthen, particularly in trade, energy and regional connectivity, with promising opportunities emerging through CPEC,” he added.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 15 /DNA/ – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, held a comprehensive meeting today with a high-level delegation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) led by Ms. Emma Fan, Country Director, ADB, and Ms. Leah Gutierrez, Director General for Central and West Asia Department, along with senior officials from the local ADB team. The meeting was held at the Finance Division and focused on strengthening strategic cooperation, enhancing development impact, and accelerating reform implementation in Pakistan.

Welcoming the ADB delegation, the Finance Minister expressed deep appreciation for ADB’s longstanding and timely support to Pakistan, particularly in the areas of budgetary assistance, climate resilience, social sector development, and structural reforms. He underscored the importance of moving towards an impact-led and KPI-driven development partnership, emphasizing that development outcomes, rather than approvals alone, must remain the central measure of success.

The Finance Minister highlighted the Government’s resolve to improve project readiness and implementation, noting that delays in execution had historically diluted development impact, especially in social sectors and climate-related initiatives.

The meeting reviewed Pakistan’s macroeconomic stabilization efforts and reform trajectory under the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The Finance Minister noted that recent external validations, including improved credit ratings, successful IMF reviews, and the approval of the Climate Resilience Facility, reflected confidence in Pakistan’s reform agenda. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to structural reforms, including taxation, energy sector reforms, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), privatization, and public financial management.

Senator Aurangzeb briefed the delegation on recent progress, including the privatization of a small bank, renewed interest in strategic transactions, and ongoing work on energy sector restructuring and distribution companies. He emphasized that successful and visible transactions were critical to building momentum and credibility in the privatization process.

The Finance Minister also highlighted encouraging trends in exports and services, particularly IT services, growth in remittances, and a manageable current account deficit, while stressing the importance of sustaining growth in a balanced and sustainable manner. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to trade liberalization and competitiveness, despite short-term resistance from protected sectors.

Speaking on behalf of ADB, Ms. Emma Fan thanked the Finance Minister and his team for their strong collaboration and facilitation, including the successful visit of the ADB President to Pakistan. She reaffirmed ADB’s focus on development results, noting that faster project readiness and streamlined processes were essential for timely disbursements and tangible outcomes. She emphasized ADB’s willingness to support reforms aimed at improving implementation efficiency and strengthening institutional capacity.

ADB representatives expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s reform progress under the IMF program and confirmed ADB’s readiness to provide further budget support aligned with the EFF. They outlined future areas of engagement, including insurance sector reforms, public-private partnerships, pension reforms, and continued support for climate resilience and social sector development.

The delegation also highlighted ADB’s growing engagement in private sector development, including potential private sector transactions, guarantees, and PPP initiatives, such as proposed airport transactions. The strengthening of ADB’s in-country presence, including the appointment of a new Country Operations Head, was noted as a key step toward deeper engagement and improved project origination.

Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening the Pakistan–ADB partnership, with a strong focus on impact, accountability, private sector development, and inclusive and sustainable growth.

The meeting concluded with mutual appreciation and an understanding to continue close coordination as Pakistan advances its reform and development agenda under the forthcoming country partnership framework and the pipeline for 2026 and beyond.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 15 – A Pakistan Army soldier was martyred and seven terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Khwarij, were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Dera Ismail Khan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday.

According to a press release from the military’s media wing, security forces conducted the IBO in the Kulachi area of DI Khan on the reported presence of militants.

“During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location, and after an intense exchange of fire, seven khwarij were sent to hell,” read the statement.

During the intense exchange of fire, Naik Yasir Khan, 34, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat, it added.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain terrorists. The ISPR said that the militants were involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.

Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area, it added.

The ISPR vowed that the relentless counter terrorism campaign under the vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” by security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

Terrorist attacks have seen a sharp increase in Pakistan, particularly in the bordering provinces of KP and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban regime grabbed power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Pakistan has repeatedly called on the Afghan Taliban regime to prevent its soil from being used by terrorists against Pakistan, and the issue recently resulted in heightened tensions featuring cross-border attacks by the Afghan side, resulting in retaliation from Pakistani forces as well.

Recently, a meeting of Afghanistan’s scholars at Kabul University emphasised that the country’s soil must not be used to threaten or harm any other nation.

Islamabad welcomed the resolution as a “positive development”; however, it regretted that such commitments had been made in the past but were not honoured by the Afghan Taliban regime.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, during his weekly briefing on December 11, reiterated Islamabad’s demand for written assurances from Kabul that Afghan territory will not be allowed to be used by terrorist groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD, DEC 15 /DNA/ – Pakistan’s energy transition demands coordinated planning, improved forecasting, investment in grid readiness, and targeted climate finance. Without addressing structural barriers such as capacity payments and outdated tariff frameworks, the country will struggle to translate its renewable momentum into a sustainable and resilient energy system.

Experts emphasized this at a high-level roundtable while noting that sustainable progress will depend on coherent policy direction, utility-scale renewable integration, stronger distribution networks, and climate finance mechanisms that support both mitigation and adaptation priorities.

They were speaking at a forum titled “Pakistan’s Energy Transition: Current Standing, Challenges and the Road Ahead” held at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad. The session brought together leading voices from government, climate finance, academia, distribution companies, and the renewable energy sector. Key speakers included Dr. Sardar Mohazzam, former managing director National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA), Mekaeel Malik, CEO Climate Finance Pakistan, Faisal Sharif, director environment and sustainability Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB), and Dr. Syed Ali Abbas Kazmi, HOD Electrical Department NUST, who were joined by Khalid Rahman, chairman IPS.

The discussion segment featured a panel of experts, including Hasnat Khan, vice-chairman Pakistan Solar Association (PSA), Arqam Ilyas, manager planning and forecasting LESCO, Tanvir Ahmed, energy officer and country focal person UNHCR, Asim Ejaz, chief engineer IESCO, Dr. Nadia Shahzad, professor USPCAS-E NUST, Muhammad Yousif, assistant professor, Abdullah Qureshi, former deputy director tariff NEPRA, Dr. Faisal Nadeem, associate professor UET Taxila, and Mustafa Anwar, assistant professor NUST.

Sardar Mohazzam highlighted that renewables, including hydropower, constitute a major portion of Pakistan’s current energy mix, but long-term sustainability remains unclear. He stressed the need to plan for hydrogen fuels, new energy vehicles, and most critically, the growing burden of capacity payments that continues to obstruct meaningful progress toward a renewable future.

Regarding the climate finance landscape of Pakistan, Mekaeel Malik noted that 69% of finance comes from international public sources and 31% is private, where over 70% of these flows support mitigation, mainly renewable energy, while adaptation remains underfunded.

Faisal Sharif outlined that the key question of energy transition in Pakistan is how to do so in a way that is economically feasible, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable.

In this regard, Mustafa Anwar underlined the rising interest in hydrogen fuel but cautioned that costs remain high, limiting near-term uptake despite pilot initiatives.

Discussing solar adoption trends, Hasnat Khan noted that Pakistan has imported 46 GW of solar equipment, of which 35 GW has been installed, mainly behind-the-meter, with only 7-9% under net metering. He noted that the government missed a critical opportunity by not deploying utility-scale solar earlier and is making the same mistake by not adopting batteries.

Building on this point, Dr. Nadia Shahzad emphasized that DISCOs should leverage the battery market. She outlined that the story of solar uptake is both a success and a warning case. She also highlighted the importance of domestic manufacturing, especially laminations, to reduce import dependence.

From the DISCO perspective, Arqam Ilyas stated that the solar revolution and emerging EV trends are placing immediate pressure on Pakistan’s grid, which was designed passively and not for bidirectional flows. He warned that if government action remains slow, consumers may increasingly move toward batteries and become entirely off-grid.

Emphasizing this point, Muhammad Yousif argued that NEPRA’s outdated tariff structure has inflated electricity prices.

Highlighting socio-economic realities, Tanvir Ahmed stressed that energy transition narratives overlook the challenges faced by low-income households struggling with high tariffs, poor service quality, and load shedding, which push them toward solar adoption out of necessity rather than environmental intent.

Lastly, deliberating on planning challenges, Dr. Faisal Nadeem noted that Pakistan’s forecasting has remained flawed for years, making it impossible to accurately determine renewable capacity requirements or optimal deployment locations.

In his concluding remarks, Khalid Rahman acknowledged the depth of the challenges highlighted. However, he emphasized that focusing on opportunities would guide Pakistan toward a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient energy future.