Category: 1. Pakistan

• Before applying, first clear motor vehicle tax dues
• E-transactions can also save drivers from exhausting visits to excise dept offices
• People asked to carry receipt of replacement of number plate while driving
• Officials admit backlog at excise and taxation offices yet to be cleared

KARACHI: As traffic police continue to issue eye-watering challans, to drivers and take strict action against vehicles not affixed with new Ajrak-designed registration number plates, people have complained that the Sindh government should have launched an awareness campaign to educate citizens about how to acquire the new retro-reflective number plates.

The awareness campaign is necessary keeping in view the cumbersome process and the limited capacity of the excise and taxation department to deal with hundreds of thousands of owners of commercial and private vehicles applying for new number plates.

Dawn has learnt that due to lack of correct information among the public regarding the required process and documentation for the issuance of new number plates, transfer of ownership, and smart cards, many vehicle owners are either compelled to make multiple visits to government offices or fall prey to “agents” operating near these facilities due to overcrowding at information desks.

“This is my second visit to this branch, but the registration still hasn’t been completed,” a woman told Dawn, who had come at the newly established executive motor registration facility in Clifton, along with her husband to transfer the ownership of her vehicle.

She added that during her last visit, she was not aware of the required Rs1,000 sale deed or e-stamp, along with the original file, claiming that no such information was available on the department’s website.

Dawn spoke to Jamshed Ali Memon, in charge of the facility in Clifton, to get information regarding what documents and steps are required for individuals looking to avail these services.

The official said that people seeking to avail any service related to their vehicle must first clear their tax dues.

“There is no need to visit any facility for this purpose,” he explained. “Car owners can pay their taxes online through the department’s official website or mobile applications,” he added.

Transfer of vehicle

The official said that generally, for the transfer of vehicle ownership — which is mandatory, otherwise the vehicle may be seized or a new number plate would not be issued — the original file must be brought along with the vehicle for physical inspection.

The buyer is also required to be physically present at the facility for biometric verification, he added.

In addition, a Transfer of Ownership (TO) form — which can either be downloaded from the official website or obtained at the facility — must be submitted along with copies of valid CNICs of both buyer and seller, and a Rs1,000 sale deed or e-stamp, which can be acquired from any branch of Sindh Bank.

When asked whether the seller is also required to appear for biometric verification, Mr Memon clarified that right now there is no condition for the seller to visit the facility — only a copy of their valid CNIC is required.

However, he added that in case where an individual is transferring the vehicle to their children (blood relation), the seller must be present for biometric verification to ensure that the transfer is being made with their consent.

Smart card

Now, if someone wishes to obtain a smart card against their old registration book, they are required to submit the original registration book along with the complete original file, with a filled-out form — which can be obtained from the facility — and a copy of their CNIC and required to pay Rs1,600 by using online payment or submitting challan in a bank.

Ajrak number plates

For those who have paid their taxes and have their vehicles registered in their name, there are two options to obtain the new Ajrak-designed number plates. The first option is to apply by visiting any facility nearby and the second is to apply online.

To do so, they need to visit the official website (https://excise.gos.pk) or mobile app, click on the “Quick Online Pay Taxes” option, and enter their mobile number along with the vehicle’s registration number. A new window will then pop up, allowing them to apply for a replacement number plate and selecting the facility to collect the number plate.

For four-wheelers, the fee is approximately Rs2,450, while for two-wheelers, it is around Rs1,850. The payment can be made through online banking or any supported digital payment platform or paying challan in bank.

For those who have already applied for the replacement of a number plate, they can check the current status by visiting the department’s official website and clicking on the “Check Your Number Plate” option.

And if you are lucky enough that your number plate has been delivered to your selected excise branch, you will need to bring the original file and old number plate regardless it was in any condition with you to collect the new Ajrak-designed number plate. However, if you had lost your old number plate then you need to apply for duplicate number.

Mixed signals confuse public

According to the excise ministry, the deadline for mandatory Nadra biometric verification for vehicle owners applicable to sellers has been extended till August 14.

However, many vehicle owners who had applied for replacement number plates months ago complained that they had yet to receive them.

In the meantime, a growing number of vehicle owners have turned to locally made number plates to avoid action by the traffic police, claiming that officers are allowing the use of white-background plates with Ajrak patterns until the originals are issued.

This has further contributed to the confusion and a communication gap between the two government departments, forcing vehicle owners to spend additional money on locally made number plates that resemble the government-issued ones.

Conflicting announcements

The traffic police, through their official social media platforms, have announced that only “government-issued or closely resembling number plates” will be accepted. Otherwise, vehicles will be subject to challans or seizure.

On the other hand, the excise department has maintained that aftermarket number plates will not be accepted under any circumstances, as allowing them would undermine the objectives of the Safe City initiative.

Responding to a question about the backlog at excise facilities in Karachi, Atif Ali Bhatti — in-charge of the motor registration facility at the Civic Centre — said that applicants who submitted requests for the new design number plates in mid-February had already received them or delivered at their selective branch. However, the backlog that developed afterwards had yet to be cleared as of the first week of July, he claimed.

Mr Bhatti also acknowledged a video circulating on social media in which traffic police personnel were seen encouraging people to use “government-issued or closely resembling number plates”.

He clarified that it is incorrect to use aftermarket plates — which lack any security features — as doing so would undermine the very purpose of the Safe City initiative.

He further stated that the newly designed number plates are embedded with multiple security features, enabling surveillance cameras to detect and read them clearly, even at night.

Show the receipt

The excise ministry has advised vehicle owners that if their new number plates have not yet been issued, they should carry the official receipt of the replacement of plates and present it to traffic police or any concerned authority when asked.

“If someone has the official receipt and the original old number plate installed to their vehicle, then morally, the traffic police should not issue a fine,” said ministry spokesperson Shabbir Ali Babar.

Speaking to Dawn, a traffic police spokesperson, Mr Sohail, said that if vehicle owners have been issued the Ajrak-themed number plates, they should install them. However, if the plates have not yet been issued, then owners may use aftermarket plates to avoid using fancy ones.

When asked about the excise department’s statement that until the new plates are issued, vehicle owners can install the original old number plate along with the replacement receipt, he said he was not aware of any such statement issued by the excise department and could not comment at this time.

Dawn attempted to get comments from the DIG Traffic Karachi but did not receive his response.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

PESHAWAR/SWAT: Two petitions have been filed with Peshawar High Court in Peshawar and Mingora (Darul Qaza), seeking an inquiry into several deaths in the recent flash floods in Swat district and the fixing of responsibility for the alleged negligence.

In Swat, a bench consisting of Justice Sabitullah Khan and Justice Qazi Jawad Ehsanullah issued notices to the respondents, including the provincial government, seeking their response to a petition, which called for the court’s orders for Swat’s district administration and tehsil municipal administration of Mingora to immediately remove illegal structures along the river banks and to halt excavations therein.

The petition is jointly field by two citizens, Fayyaz Zafar and Fazal Khaliq, requesting the high court to direct the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Rescue 1122 to develop a formal framework for the identification, training and equipping of local volunteers, who significantly contributed to the disaster response.

Advocate Shah Faisal Khan appeared for the petitioners and highlighted severe consequences of the recent floods in the Bypass Fizagat area, emphasising alleged administrative negligence and failure in preventive measures.

Meanwhile, a citizen on Tuesday moved the high court in Peshawar for ordering a judicial inquiry into the “circumstances” that led to deaths of multiple people during the recent floods in Swat as well as a probe into the alleged misuse of Rescue 1122 vehicles by the provincial government for “political purposes.”

A resident of Charsadda, Amir Alam, filed a petition seeking directives for the law-enforcement and accountability authorities to look into the alleged misuse of Rescue 1122 vehicles and resources by the provincial executive for political purposes, and to proceed strictly in accordance with law if cognizable offences were committed.

He requested the court to order a high-level judicial or commission-based inquiry to determine the circumstances that led to failure of the disaster response system during the Swat floods of Jun 27, fixing responsibility on the negligent officers and public functionaries.

The petitioner sought the court’s directives for the provincial chief secretary and director general of Rescue 1122 to submit a detailed report regarding the current operational status of all rescue and disaster relief vehicles/ equipment and their lawful utilization.

He also requested directives for the respondents, including the provincial government, to cancel all mining activities, carried out through auction or otherwise, in the River Swat.

The petitioner also sought orders for independent audit and investigation into the recruitment process and resource allocation within Rescue 1122 to ensure transparency, merit and prevent political interference in emergency situations.

The petition, filed through lawyer Babar Khan Yousafzai, includes as respondents the provincial chief minister, its chief secretary, secretaries of mines and mineral, irrigation, relief and rehabilitation, local government and culture and tourism departments, the directors general of Rescue 1122 and Provincial Disaster Management Authority and KP inspector general of police.

The petitioner said that on June 27, flash floods struck Swat district resulting in the death of at least 18 people, including tourists from Punjab.

He added that the failure of Rescue 1122 and provincial authorities to respond timely and effectively caused unnecessary and avoidable loss of lives.

The petitioner alleged that over six months ago, the Rescue 1122 vehicles and other resources were “unlawfully diverted” by the chief minister for use in a political protest in Islamabad.

He added that those vehicles were confiscated by Islamabad’s police, severely hampering disaster preparedness across the province.

The petitioner contended that the PDMA operated under the KP Disaster Management Act, 2010, under which its resources might be used for disaster preparedness and response only.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

• Govt works out power tariff to be Rs31.59/unit compared to Rs32.73/unit last year
• Industrialists demand end to peak, off-peak charges; decry denial of promised ‘sizeable relief’
• No change in rates for first two slabs of domestic consumers; relief ranges between 3pc and 10pc depending on usage

ISLAMABAD: As the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) decided on Tuesday to reduce the national average power tariff by Rs1.14 per unit, the move was criticised by industrialists and businesspersons from Karachi as being “too minuscule”.

The decision to reduce the tariff was taken at a public hearing presided over by Nepra members Maqsood Anwar and Rafique Shaikh.

The government team, led by the Power Division additional secretary, Mehfooz Bhatti, said the regulator had determined national average tariff — excluding all taxes, surcharges and duties — at Rs34 for FY2025-26, down Rs1.50 per unit from Rs35.50 per unit last year.

After subsidies and cross-subsidies, the government has worked out the tariff to be Rs31.59 per unit, as compared to Rs32.73 per unit last year, a reduction of Re1.14 per unit.

The official said the same rate would apply to K-Electric consumers under the government’s uniform tariff policy.

A formal notification of the new tariffs will be issued within this week. The new rates will take effect from July 1.

Rushed process

Karachi-based representatives of the FPCCI, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry and Surjani Town businesses criticised the government and the Nepra for rushing through the approval process and not allowing their requests for time to understand and review the government’s petition.

They said the Power Division filed the petition on June 28. It was approved a day later by the federal cabinet and made public on June 30 for a hearing on July 1.

They said the process violated the law that provided at least seven days after the publication of petition to hold a public hearing.

Peak, off-peak billing

The industrialists criticised the government for a nominal reduction of Rs1.14 per unit in the tariff after promising “sizeable relief”.

“Even after the reduction of Rs1.14 per unit, the effective tariff would be about Rs5 per unit higher than last year when the industry paid on average Rs30 per unit”, said one of the businesspersons.

The government team insisted the effective average tariff during the new fiscal year would be around Rs40.43 against Rs47.89 per unit in FY2025 after taking into account all taxes, surcharges, duties and quarterly adjustments and the removal of PTV fee and electricity duty.

They said the government efforts, coupled with improved exchange rate, helped reduce capacity payments by Rs1.27 per unit on average from 30.88 to Rs29.61 per unit when compared to the outgoing year.

The average transmission and distribution losses of Discos, they claimed, had dropped to 11.03pc from 11.43pc.

Industrial consumers also demanded an end to peak and off-peak rates, enabling the industry to operate round-the-clock instead of shutting down during peak hours due to higher rates.

New tariff

The Rs1.15 per unit reduction in tariff would apply to consumers in almost all categories, except lifeline domestic consumers.

There would be no change in electricity rates for first two lifeline slabs of domestic consumers, as they are already over-subsidised.

The per unit rate for lifeline consumers with up to 50 units per month would remain unchanged at Rs3.95, followed by Rs7.74 for those in 50 to 100 unit monthly consumption. They have to maintain their consumption threshold throughout the year.

For all other consumers and categories, the government sought a flat Rs1.15 per unit reduction for FY2025-26.

However, the relief ranges between 3 to 10pc depending on the users’ respective rates at present.

The protected consumers in 1 to 100 units would now be charged at Rs10.54 per unit, instead of Rs11.69 at present, showing a reduction of 9.8pc.

The subsequent slab in the protected category would be charged at Rs13.01 per unit instead of Rs14.16 per unit, down 8pc.

The non-protected consumers in first 100 units would be charged at Rs23.44 per unit instead of Rs23.59 per unit, down by almost 5pc.

The reduction in rates for all other categories including commercial, industrial, agriculture and bulk consumers would vary from three to four percent but flat Rs1.15 per unit. The cheapest rate, in these categories, have been provided to the industry whose average rate would now be Rs33.48 per unit instead of Rs44.32 per unit.

Commercial consumers would be provided electricity at an average Rs45.43 per unit instead of Rs46.58 per unit. The average rate of general services would be Rs43.17 per unit instead of Rs44.32 while tariff for bulk consumers would come down to Rs41.76 per unit from Rs42.92 per unit.

However, agricultural consumers would get an even cheaper rate of Rs30.75 per unit instead of Rs31.90. The average rate would work out to be around Rs31.60 per unit from about Rs32.75 per unit at present.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

LAHORE: Incarcerated leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have proposed the party hold talks with the PML-N led government, as opposed to the “inflexible stance” of its patron-in-chief Imran Khan, who has long been calling for dialogue with the “military establishment” only.

In a letter written from the Kot Lakhpat Jail Lahore on Tuesday, PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senator Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omar Sarfraz Cheema and Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed called for starting ‘meaningful dialogue’ with the political leadership of incumbent government so that the country could be steered out of current severe crises.

However, the PTI leaders made it clear that the talks should kick off among the political leadership and subsequently the same held with the powers that be.

While it was not clear how the various leaders conferred on the issue — as Dr Rashid is kept in separate barracks from the other — the letter proposed that they should also be made part of the dialogue process and the PML-N government give them “regular access” to the former prime minister at Adiala jail for consultation over formation of a dialogue committee.

Move hints at dissent among party ranks with Imran Khan’s ‘inflexible stance’

They also cautioned that the elements in the government should not be allowed to belittle their “dialogue offer to political leadership” as it would be tantamount to sabotaging the entire process.

Mr Khan has a stated position on dialogue with the government. “We will talk only with those who have real power (military establishment). The parties in the government do not have power,” he said, reiterating the stance he had taken since his ouster from power three years ago.

There are reports of rifts among the PTI ranks following the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government of Ali Amin Gandapur passing the provincial budget 2025-26 last month without the approval of Mr Khan.

The ex-PM’s sister Aleema Khan had reacted to this saying a “minus Imran” formula was now in effect.

Since groupings have been reported in the PTI, a section in the party wants Mr Khan to soften his stance over holding dialogue only with the military establishment so that a “required political space and relief” could be extracted for the party.

“Khan Sahib needs to soften his stance and give approval to begin a dialogue process with the government. In given circumstances the PTI will have to revisit its politics of resistance (for the time being) and seek political expediency to make it relevant in the current situation which otherwise is quite hostile towards it,” a PTI leader told Dawn.

He also supported the ‘proposal’ of the five incarcerated leaders of the PTI and expressed hope that the party’s patron-in-chief would seriously consider it.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

GWADAR: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs has announced an ambitious plan to expand Gwadar Port’s operational capacity by introducing additional shipp­ing lines and launching a ferry service connecting Pak­istan with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The announcement was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Af­­fairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday. Senior ministry officials also attended the session.

To launch ferry service connecting Pakistan with GCC countries

“The initiative is part of the government’s strategy to enhance regional connectivity, boost maritime trade and position Gwadar as a major hub in the Arabian Sea,” Mr Chaudhry said. “We aim to transform Gwadar into a strategic transhipment and logistics centre, benefiting Pakistan and the wider region.”

He emphasised that with Gwadar Port now fully ope­rational, it is time to accelerate its integration into international maritime networks. He directed relevant dep­artments to pursue all necessary steps to increase the port’s commercial activity and unlock its full potential.

He said additional shipping lines will be connected to Gwadar to facilitate greater movement of goods, promote transit trade with Central Asia and the Middle East, and support Pakistan’s growing role in the regional logistics landscape.

“The new routes will reduce pressure on existing ports and ensure faster, more efficient cargo handling,” Mr Chaudhry stated.

In addition to enhancing cargo operations, the maritime ministry has also planned to launch a ferry service from Gwadar to GCC countries. The move is expected to provide an affordable, direct maritime link for passengers and cargo, particularly benefiting expatriate communities and cross-border traders.

“The ferry service will strengthen people-to-people ties, boost tourism and provide a new economic lifeline for Balochistan,” the minister said. “It will create local employment, improve supporting infrastructure and attract private sector participation, especially in the areas of ship services, hospitality and transportation.”

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025

LAHORE:

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has directed a legal team to prepare a draft reference for consultation, before potentially submitting it to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to seek the de-seating of 26 suspended PTI MPAs over their alleged disruptive, abusive and disorderly conduct in the House.

The directive came during a meeting between the speaker and legal experts, after an initial determination that a reference could be filed based on applications submitted by PML-N lawmakers, urging the speaker’s office to take action against the suspended members.

Following detailed deliberations, it was decided to proceed with the reference. A subsequent meeting was held in which legal advisers assisted the speaker, who then formally tasked them with drafting the appropriate reference to be filed with the ECP.

It is worth noting that protest has historically been a recognised feature of parliamentary proceedings.

Opposition lawmakers are often seen engaging in fiery exchanges, desk-thumping, slogan-chanting, tearing up agenda papers or budget documents and holding placards aloft.

However, the situation in the current Punjab Assembly has taken a more punitive turn. The treasury benches, which had long tolerated such demonstrations, began demanding restraint, particularly during Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s addresses, urging the opposition to protest peacefully without disrupting proceedings.

Despite occasional cooperation from the opposition, including refraining from interrupting the House by remaining seated rather than crowding the speaker’s dais, the PTI’s members intensified their protests during the CM’s speech on June 27.

Their conduct appeared even more aggressive, reportedly in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling on reserved seats.

The protest quickly escalated into a scuffle between treasury and opposition lawmakers. Despite Speaker Khan’s repeated efforts to pacify the situation, order could not be restored.

Consequently, on the same day, invoking Rule 210(3) of the Rules of Procedure of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab (1997), the speaker suspended 26 PTI MPAs.

In a further tightening of disciplinary measures, on June 28, the Speaker directed that Rs2,035,000 in damages be recovered from 10 PTI MPAs, approximately Rs203,550 each, for climbing onto desks and breaking eight microphones during their protest on June 16, when the provincial budget was being presented.

Earlier, the speaker had ordered that PTI MPA Hassan Malik (PP-81) be barred from attending the Assembly until the end of the current session for hurling a copy of the budget speech at Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman.

On June 24, Speaker Khan issued a ruling emphasizing the importance of decorum. “I emphasise ALL members, regardless of their political affiliation, to preserve decorum, uphold the dignity of this august Assembly, and ensure that parliamentary proceedings continue without disruption,” the speaker stated.

ISLAMABAD:

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Tuesday chaired a meeting of the committee constituted by the Prime Minister to review the project pay scale framework.

The meeting was attended by the Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, SAPM Tariq Bajwa, secretaries of Establishment and Planning and senior officials from relevant departments, DPM Office said in a press release.

The committee reviewed existing policies for hiring skilled professionals under special pay scales, and considered multiple reform proposals, including competitive pay scales, and performance-based incentives.

ISLAMABAD:

In a major policy shift, the government on Tuesday announced a significant reduction in restrictive regulatory duties on imported food, vehicles, and personal care goods. The decision benefits international food franchises and importers of new and old vehicles.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued a notification reducing regulatory duties on hundreds of imported items. These changes were approved by the federal cabinet through circulation. However, duties on goods that could harm local manufacturing remain unchanged — except for cars and iron and steel.

Dog and cat food, cheese, and other consumer goods became cheaper starting July 1 — the first day of fiscal year 2025-26. In a separate notification, the government also slashed additional customs duties, which were previously used as a tool to extract more revenue.

The changes in the regulatory and additional customs duty are part of a broader government plan to abolish these duties over a period of four to five years. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank support this strategy. The notification showed that international food chains will benefit the most, along with their local consumers.

Regulatory duty on mobile phone SIM cards was reduced from 15% to 12%. Duty on new cars and mini vans was cut by one-third to 10%.

Duty on used mini vans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) was also reduced. The biggest relief was for imported SUVs, with a 44% cut — bringing the duty to 50%. Imported sunglasses and wristwatches have also become cheaper.

While a Rs10 per chicken federal excise duty has been imposed, the government has cut the import duty on live poultry.

Regulatory duty on live poultry and fresh or chilled fish (excluding fillets and meat) was halved to 5%. Duty on birds’ eggs was lowered from 15% to 10%, and on imported vegetables to 5%.

Instant coffee in retail packs saw a one-fifth cut, bringing the duty down to 32%.

Dog and cat food now carries 40% duty, also a one-fifth reduction. Tobacco (stemmed or stripped) was cut to 40%.

Duty on coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews dropped to 16%. Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, and mangoes now carry 20% duty—a one-fourth cut. Duty on oranges is now 12%. Duty on papaws and apples dropped from 45% to 36%. Other nuts saw a 4% cut in regulatory duty.

However, the duty on sugar confectionery remains at 40% to protect local millers. Duty on potatoes fell from 55% to 44%. Pineapples are now taxed at 40%.

Duty on frozen fish is halved to 17.5%. Cheese and curd imports now face 40% duty — a 10% cut.

Duty on imported milk, cream, and yogurt dropped from 25% to 20%. Natural honey is taxed at 24%, down from 30%. Duty on edible insects and animal-based products is now 5%. Ware potatoes are taxed at 20%, down from 25%.

Perfumes, toilet waters, and makeup preparations saw a one-fifth duty cut, now taxed at 44%. Shaving preparations are at 40%. Soaps have also become cheaper.

Leather and imitation leather clothing and accessories now face 40% duty. Cigarette paper is taxed at 24% — a 20% reduction.

Woven fabrics made from high-tenacity nylon, polyamides, or polyesters now carry just 1% duty. Various ceramics also saw cuts, reducing construction costs.

Imitation jewellery is now taxed at 36%, benefiting consumers.

Semi-finished iron or non-alloy steel has a new duty of 12%. Flat-rolled steel (600mm+ wide, hot-rolled) now has a duty of 2.5%, cut by half. Door locks also saw a 50% reduction to 2.5%.

TV remote controls now carry half the previous duty. Chandeliers saw a rate drop to 32%. Video game consoles and machines now have 40% duty.

The government also reduced additional customs duties across hundreds of tariff lines.

Items under the 15% tariff slab now carry 2% lower additional duty. Those under the 20% slab saw a 4% cut. Goods under the 30% and higher slabs, or with specific rates, saw a 6% reduction.

Earlier, the government had decided to abolish or substantially cut regulatory duties on 1,984 tariff lines. The move aimed to reduce protection for local industries by 52% over five years.

After pushback from the business community and within the cabinet, 285 of those lines were revised again. The original plan targeted raw materials and semi-finished goods. However, finished goods — also produced locally — were also included in the cuts.

ISLAMABAD:

The Power Division said on Tuesday that there was no plan to impose a surcharge on electricity bills to bear the cost of commercial loans taken from banks to retire circular debt.

An official of the Power Division revealed this during a public hearing conducted to consider a motion of the division seeking tariff reduction of up to Rs1.15 per unit due to rebasing. The division informed the hearing that average national tariff would be slashed from Rs32.73 per unit to Rs31.59 per unit – a decline of Rs1.14. Officials said that base tariff for all consumers, except for lifeline consumers, would go down by Rs1.15 per unit.

Tanveer Bari, representing the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, raised the issue of a new power surcharge on electricity bills. He argued that the government was going to give a relief of Rs1.15 per unit but at the same time it was preparing to slap a surcharge of Rs3.23 per unit due to loans taken from banks.

He said that the surcharge could go up in case of lower electricity consumption. Bari protested over giving only one day to review the motion and other people also approached Nepra, asking it to give at least seven days in that regard.

He pleaded the regulator not to approve the petition, adding that the government had claimed a big relief following deals with the independent power producers but in reality it was a very thin relief.

He also criticised the increasing fixed charges for industries and demanded the removal of a cap on solar net metering to boost industrial activities.

Another intervener Amir Sheikh questioned about the relief being given to consumers. Some interveners pointed out that the industry was enjoying a relief of Rs6 per unit till June 30 but industrial rates would go up by Rs5 per unit after the rebasing of tariffs.

DISCOs slammed for overbilling

Nepra officials said that power distribution companies (DISCOs) were denying tariff relief to protected consumers by manipulating the reading of electricity meters.

DISCOs increase the consumption of units to take consumers out of the 200-unit protected category to send high bills, they said, adding that they had received several complaints and were probing the matter.

Rehan Javed, an intervener, said that the actual determined tariff was not taken into consideration in relation to K-Electric’s (KE) uniform tariff. It was feared that Karachi consumers would have to pay a surcharge if the actual KE tariff was not taken into account during rebasing.

He asked about tariff structure and called for engaging industries or industrial associations in tariff rebasing. He argued that B3 meter consumers were bearing losses; therefore a separate tariff should be set for them.

Javed emphasised that the sanctioned load for industries should be enhanced to help increase Pakistan’s exports. He also called for rectifying the anomaly in peak consumption hours for industries, adding that a new tariff design should be framed.

The intervener asked who was paying grid maintenance charges and proposed fixed charges for solar net metering.

Industrialist Arif Bilwani argued that the Power Division had filed a petition in anticipation of cabinet’s approval. However, Power Division officials said that the cabinet had already given the go-ahead for tariff rebasing.

He also raised the issue of cold storages, which had been delayed due to the Power Division’s failure to come up with comments. Nepra asked why the division had not given its comments and raised the legal question whether the regulator could give its decision without comments from the Power Division. Officials of the division said that they were working on seeking approval of the cabinet regarding cold storages.

Senior citizen Tariq Abdul Majeed highlighted the higher tariffs being paid by consumers using more than 200 units in a month. Responding to that, the Power Division officials clarified that the government was giving a subsidy to people consuming up to 200 units.

KALAM:

Asim Ali, a 55-year-old resident of Oshu village in Upper Kalam, watched helplessly as water surged into his stone house, as result of the rising River Swat.

The recent flooding, triggered by the accelerated melting of glaciers combined with heavy rains, forced many villagers to hastily place sandbags around their homes in an attempt to stem the gushing water and salvage belongings.

“The water flow in River Swat has been increasing every summer due to the rapid melting of glaciers and erratic rainfalls,” said Asim.

Transporting stones on donkeys from nearby mountains, Asim and his family are trying to restore their damaged home.

He recalled a time when glaciers were much closer to the village. “Our streams used to flow steadily. Now, they either dry up or flood unpredictably,” he said.

He blamed illegal construction, glaciers melting, encroachment, and deforestation for amplifying the river’s velocity and destructive power.

For generations, villagers like Asim have mostly relied on glacier fed irrigation to cultivate crops such as wheat, barley, peaches, and apricots. But changing water patterns have made farming increasingly uncertain.

“We now depend on rain, which is rarely sufficient. Sometimes, we lose entire crops to drought or sudden floods,” he lamented.

Swat’s glaciers are vital to the Indus River system and its tributaries, supplying clean water to millions and sustaining the region’s fragile ecosystem.

However, their rapid retreat due to global warming is posing a grave threat.

“As temperatures rise, glaciers are receding at an alarming rate, triggering ecological, social, and economic consequences,” said environmental expert Dr Shafiqur Rehman.

Pakistan hosts over 7,253 glaciers-more than anywhere outside the polar regions. Notable among them are Baltoro (63 km), Biafo (67 km), and Batura (57 km) in Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as nearly 500 glaciers in Upper Chitral’s Tirich Mir range, which feed major rivers such as the Swat, Panjkora, Kabul, and Indus.

“Our irrigation systems depend heavily on these glaciers,” said Dr Rehman, adding with rapid population growth and shrinking glaciers, Pakistan faces an impending water crisis-and by extension, food insecurity.

Citing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), he noted that the Himalayan region is warming faster than the global average. Some glaciers are losing up to five meters in thickness each year. Since glaciers act as natural reservoirs, storing water and releasing it gradually, their accelerated melting is upsetting this balance.