Category: Energy

You can go through stories related to energy. The stories are about changes in petroleum prices and updates on energy sector of Pakistan and world.

  • Saudi oil facility for Pakistan to start soon

    Saudi oil facility for Pakistan to start soon

    ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia to operationalize soon the oil facility to Pakistan, it was agreed at a meeting on Thursday.

    Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malkiy called on the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan in his office on Thursday.

    READ MORE: KSA extends oil on deferred payments to Pakistan

    During the meeting, it was agreed to operationalize the Saudi Oil Facility at the earliest.

    The Financing Agreement worth $ 1.2 billion for import for petroleum products was signed on November 29, 2021 between the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Pakistan.

    As per Financing Agreement, the SFD will extend financing facility up to $100 million per month for one-year for purchase of petroleum products on deferred payment basis.

    Both the sides discussed ongoing development projects and new initiatives.

    READ MORE: SBP signs $3bn deposit agreement with Saudi Fund

    The Minister for Economic Affairs appreciated the Saudi support in the priority development areas, said a press release received here today.

    They also discussed the remaining work of development projects in the earthquake affected areas of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

    Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) is providing financial assistance for various development projects in the areas of Energy, Health, Education and Infrastructure.

    Most recently, the SFD has committed to provide financing for Mohmand Dam Project, Shounter Hydropower Project, Jagran-IV Hydropower Project, Gravity Flow Water Scheme Mansehra, and Abbottabad- Muzaffarabad Road Project.

    The Saudi Ambassador assured of continued support at all level to further strengthen the bilateral economic cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

    The Saudi Ambassador expressed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to play a much stronger role in the socioeconomic development of Pakistan.

  • Petroleum prices kept unchanged for next fortnight

    Petroleum prices kept unchanged for next fortnight

    ISLAMABAD: The government has kept the prices of petroleum products unchanged for next fortnight on Monday after Prime Minister Imran Khan rejected the proposals to hike the POL prices.

    Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday rejected proposals to increase the petrol price by Rs 10 per liter and diesel by Rs 14, in the national interest.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s petrol price rises to record high at Rs147.83

    The prime minister said that government would bear the burden of the price hike this time to protect the people from the additional economic burden.

    READ MORE: Prices of all POL products increased to wish New Year

    As the government was striving to avert the burden of inflation from the people, therefore the prime minister deferred the Energy Ministry’s summary despite the fact that the oil prices were increasing worldwide owing to the swelling global inflation.

    Following the decision, the prices of petroleum products will be maintained at: petrol Rs147.83 per liter; high speed diesel (HSD) Rs144.62 per liter; kerosene Rs116.48 per liter; and light diesel oil at Rs114.54 per liter.

    READ MORE: Petrol price reduces to Rs140.82 per liter

    A statement issued by the Finance Division stated that the petroleum products are showing substantial increase in the international market and presently trading at highest level since 2014. The oil prices have witnessed an increase of 14.5% just in last month in the global market.

    The existing Sales Tax rate and Petroleum Levy on various petroleum products are much below the budgeted targets. The Government is bearing the revenue loss of around Rs.30 billion (fortnightly) on account of budgeted to existing PL and ST rates and Rs. 260 billion annually due to reduced ST rate.

    READ MORE: Govt. keeps petroleum prices unchanged

    Despite revenue losses due to rising petroleum prices globally, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has deferred the proposal by OGRA to increase up to Rs. 16.79/Litre in the petroleum product prices and desired that petroleum product prices shall remain the same from 1st February, 2020 as notified earlier on 15th January, 2022 for providing maximum relief to the general public. The Prime Minister has further desired to keep the prices at the same level through adjustments in Sales Tax, if required.

  • NBP lends Rs18.8bn in Hascol’s Rs54bn scam

    NBP lends Rs18.8bn in Hascol’s Rs54bn scam

    KARACHI: National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has lent an amount of Rs18.8 billion out of Rs54 billion scam in Hascol Petroleum Limited.

    National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on Thursday reviewed the performance of NBP.

    The committee also discussed the recent Hescol loan scam of Rs 54 billion; of this NBP had lent Rs18.8 billion. MNAs expressed their reservations on loan security procedures, mainly when the amount of loan was so big.

    READ MORE: NBP directed to pay Rs0.5 million to fraud victim

    The committee expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the bank and emphasized on more corrective steps on administrative and financing sides; especially for financial inclusion in rural and remote areas of the country.

    Headed by MNA Faizullah, NA standing committee members included Abdul Wasay, Chaudhry Khalid Javed, Dr. Nafisa Shah, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Muhammad Israr Tareen, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Faheem Khan and Jamil Ahmed Khan.

    READ MORE: No disruption in transactions post cyber-attack on NBP

    The chairman formed a sub-committee to look into the issues/queries raised by the standing committee members, and the discrepancies surfaced in the bank’s lending and administrative matters.

    It will submit its detailed report to the main NA standing committee at the earliest for its recommendations to the concerned government authorities through the National Assembly.

    Earlier, NBP’s Group Heads gave sector-wise presentations to the Committee.

    The committee members desired that NBP President, who was on leave, would have been present and could better respond to their queries.

    A day earlier, the bank said it was cooperating with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the multibillion scam.

    READ MORE: NBP announces Rs17.04 billion as half year profit

    The FIA arrested Mumtaz Hasan, founder of the Hascol Petroleum Limited (HPL), on January 23, 2022. It said a total of 30 suspects — including present and former top officials of the NBP, HPL and other organisations — had been booked in the case and that efforts were under way to arrest the remaining suspects.

    “As has been reported in the press, the FIA is conducting an inquiry on Hascol Petroleum’s banking arrangements with the NBP as well as several private and other public sector banks,” the NBP said.

    The bank said it had been and continued to cooperate fully with the FIA on this investigation and made available all relevant records and transactional history, including arranging meetings with its employees who have managed Hascol’s relationship with the bank.

    READ MORE: Probe in Hascol financials underway: SECP

  • FBR slashes sales tax rates on petrol, HSD

    FBR slashes sales tax rates on petrol, HSD

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday slashed sales tax rates on petrol and high speed diesel (HSD) in order to reduce the impact of high oil prices at consumer end.

    The FBR issued SRO 88(I)/2022 dated January 18, 2022 to notify changes the sales tax rates on supply of petroleum products.

    The sales tax on supply of petrol has been reduced to 2.5 per cent ad valorem from 4.77 per cent. Similarly, the rate of sales tax on supply of high speed diesel has been reduced to 5.44 per cent from 9.08 per cent.

    The FBR kept unchanged the sales tax rates on kerosene and light diesel oil at 8.30 per cent and 2.70 per cent, respectively.

    The revenue body previously issued SRO 01(I)/2022 dated January 3, 2022 to change the rate of sales tax on petroleum products.

    Earlier on January 15, 2022, the government announced to increase prices of all petroleum products for next fortnight.

    READ MORE: Pakistan’s petrol price rises to record high at Rs147.83

    According to the notification, the price of petrol has been increased by Rs3.01 to Rs147.83 per liter from Rs144.82.

    The price of high speed diesel (HSD) has been increased by Rs3 to rs144.62 per liter from Rs141.62.

    The rate of kerosene has been enhanced by Rs3 to Rs116.48 per liter from Rs113.48.

    The price of light diesel oil has been increased by Rs 3.33 toRs114.54 per liter from Rs111.21.

    According to a notification issued by the Finance Division on January 15, 2022, the decision to enhance domestic prices of petroleum products because the international oil price had registered 6.2 per cent during the last week. Presently, at the highest level since last year.

    READ MORE: Prices of all POL products increased to wish New Year

    The existing sales tax rate and petroleum levy on various petroleum products are much below the budgeted targets.

    The finance ministry said that against the recommendations of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for increase of Rs5.52 per liter in petrol and Rs6.19/liter in high speed diesel prices, the Prime Minister had directed to absorb at the international prices through further cut in sales tax from last fortnight.

    “The finance ministry will take Rs2.6 billion revenue hit due to reduced sales tax rates,” it added.

    Therefore, the government has decided to make partial increase in the prices of the petroleum products in order to provide relief to the end consumers.

  • Pakistan’s petrol price rises to record high at Rs147.83

    Pakistan’s petrol price rises to record high at Rs147.83

    ISLAMABAD: The petrol price in Pakistan has been increased to a record high of Rs147.83 per liter, said a statement issued by the finance ministry on Saturday.

    The government announced to increase prices of all petroleum products with effect from January 16, 2022.

    READ MORE: Prices of all POL products increased to wish New Year

    According to the notification, the price of petrol has been increased by Rs3.01 to Rs147.83 per liter from Rs144.82.

    The price of high speed diesel (HSD) has been increased by Rs3 to rs144.62 per liter from Rs141.62.

    The rate of kerosene has been enhanced by Rs3 to Rs116.48 per liter from Rs113.48.

    READ MORE: Petrol price reduces to Rs140.82 per liter

    The price of light diesel oil has been increased by Rs 3.33 toRs114.54 per liter from Rs111.21.

    According to the notification the decision to enhance domestic prices of petroleum products because the international oil price had registered 6.2 per cent during the last week. Presently, at the highest level since last year.

    The existing sales tax rate and petroleum levy on various petroleum products are much below the budgeted targets.

    READ MORE: Govt. keeps petroleum prices unchanged

    The finance ministry said that against the recommendations of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for increase of Rs5.52 per liter in petrol and Rs6.19/liter in high speed diesel prices, the Prime Minister had directed to absorb at the international prices through further cut in sales tax from last fortnight.

    The finance ministry will take Rs2.6 billion revenue hit due to reduced sales tax rates.

    Therefore, the government has decided to make partial increase in the prices of the petroleum products in order to provide relief to the end consumers.

    READ MORE: Petroleum prices kept unchanged for next fortnight

  • FBR fixes CNG value for charging sales tax

    FBR fixes CNG value for charging sales tax

    In a move to streamline and regulate the collection of sales tax on compressed natural gas (CNG), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a new notification, SRO 39(I)/2022 dated January 08, 2022, to establish fixed values for CNG.

    (more…)
  • FBR raises sales tax on all petroleum products

    FBR raises sales tax on all petroleum products

    ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday notified an increase in sales tax on all the petroleum products.

    The FBR issued SRO 01(I)/2022 to notify increase in sales tax rates on petroleum products. The FBR amended the rates of sales tax, which were issued previously through SRO 1604(I)/2021 on December 16, 2021.

    READ MORE: Prices of all POL products increased to wish New Year

    According to the latest notification enhanced the sales tax on petrol from 1.63 per cent to 4.77 per cent.

    The sales tax rate on high-speed diesel has been increased to 9.08 per cent from 7.37 per cent.

    The FBR enhanced the sales tax on kerosene oil to 8.30 per cent from 8.19 per cent. Likewise, the sales tax on light diesel has been increased to 2.70 per cent from 0.46 per cent.

    The government on December 31, 2021 increased prices of all petroleum products effective from January 01, 2022.

    READ MORE: Petrol price reduces to Rs140.82 per liter

    The prices have been increased across the board around Rs4 per liter on all the products.

    According to a notification issued by the finance division, the new price of petrol has been increased by Rs4 to Rs144.82 per liter from Rs140.82. The rate of high-speed diesel (HSD) has been increased by Rs4 to Rs141.62 per liter from Rs137.62. Similarly, the price of kerosene has been increased by Rs3.95 to Rs113.53 per liter from Rs109.53. Likewise, the price of light diesel oil has been increased by Rs4.15 to Rs111.06 per liter from Rs107.06.

    READ MORE: SBP revises manual on remittances for petroleum sector

    The notification stated that in the fortnightly review of petroleum products prices, the prime minister had rejected the proposal of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for an increase in prices of petroleum products and advised to increase only Rs4 per liter to meet the petroleum levy target agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    “Sales tax on petrol and diesel has been adjusted downwards as compared to December 16, 2021, to keep the prices lower,” the notification stated.

  • Prices of all POL products increased to wish New Year

    Prices of all POL products increased to wish New Year

    ISLAMABAD: The government on Friday increased prices of all petroleum products to wish the nation the New Year 2022.

    The prices have been increased across the board around Rs4 per liter on all the products.

    READ MORE: Petrol price reduces to Rs140.82 per liter

    The prices have been implemented at 00:00 hours of January 01, 2022 for next fortnight.

    According to a notification issued by the finance division the new price of petrol has been increased by Rs4 to Rs144.82 per liter from Rs140.82.

    The rate of high speed diesel (HSD) has been increased by Rs4 to Rs141.62 per liter from Rs137.62.

    READ MORE: SBP revises manual on remittances for petroleum sector

    Similarly, the price of kerosene has been increased by Rs3.95 to Rs113.53 per liter from Rs109.53.

    Likewise, the price of light diesel oil has been increased by Rs4.15 to Rs111.06 per liter from Rs107.06.

    The notification stated that in the fortnightly review of petroleum products prices, the prime minister had rejected the proposal of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for increase in prices of petroleum products and advised to increase only Rs4 per liter to meet the petroleum levy target agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    “Sales tax on petrol and diesel has been adjusted downwards as compared to December 16, 2021 to keep the prices lower,” the notification stated.

    READ MORE: FBR notifies increase in sales tax on petrol, HSD

  • Power generation rises by 13.4% in November 2021

    Power generation rises by 13.4% in November 2021

    KARACHI: The country’s power generation has recorded an increase of 13.4 per cent to 8,482 GWh (11,780 MW) in November 2021 as compared with 7,479 GWh (10,388 MW) in the same month of the last year.

    The rise in a generation was owed to higher generation from nuclear, coal, gas, furnace oil, and solar, analysts at Arif Habib Limited said.

    READ MORE: FBR notifies increase in sales tax on petrol, HSD

    Major contributors during November 2021 were hydel (share: 33 per cent), nuclear (share: 18 per cent), coal (share: 16 per cent), RLNG (share: 14 per cent), gas (share: 13 per cent), wind (share: 2 per cent), furnace oil (share: 2 per cent), and bagasse (share: 1 per cent).

    During the month, furnace oil, gas, nuclear, and coal-based power generation went up by 424 per cent, 150 per cent, 124 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively. However, RLNG, hydel and wind-based generation declined by 37 per cent, 6 per cent, and 5 per cent YoY, respectively.

    READ MORE: SBP revises manual on remittances for petroleum sector

    During November 2021, fuel cost for power generation increased by 85 per cent YoY to PKR 6.32/KWh mainly due to rise in furnace oil, coal and RLNG based cost of generation. In addition to this hydel and wind-based generation decreased by 6 per cent YoY and 5 per cent YoY, respectively.

    The analysts said that the rise in fuel cost by 85 per cent YoY to PKR 6.32/KWh during November 2021 was led by the following reasons:

    READ MORE: PPL gets license for large scale mining of Lead, Zinc

    — RLNG-based cost of generation increased by 166 per cent YoY to PKR 17.29/KWh due to 123 per cent YoY rise in RLNG prices to PKR 2,720/mmbtu (USD 15.68/mmbtu).

    — Coal-based cost of generation went up by 85 per cent YoY to PKR 13.14/KWh during November 2021 due to 121 per cent YoY rise in coal prices.

    — furnace oil-based cost of generation increased by 72 per cent YoY to PKR 20.27/KWh.

    — hydel-based generation decreased by 6 per cent YoY.

    — Wind-based generation decreased by 5 per cent YoY.

  • FBR notifies increase in sales tax on petrol, HSD

    FBR notifies increase in sales tax on petrol, HSD

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced an increase in sales tax on the supply of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), as outlined in the recently issued SRO 1640(I)/2021.

    (more…)