In partnership with Wednesday, 19 November, 2025 | 27 Jamadiul Awwal, 1447
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 133 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
ECC APPROVES RS52B IN DEFENCE, SECURITY, AND ENERGY GRANTS; GREENLIGHTS OFFSHORE EXPLORATION
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COMMITTEE GREENLIGHTS MEASURES TO ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN OFFSHORE PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
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GOVT MOVES TO STREAMLINE FOOD SECURITY OPERATIONS BY ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE FOR PASSCO’S CLOSURE AND SUPPLY-CHAIN REFORMS
FUNDS INCLUDE RS841.56M FOR CIVIL ARMED FORCES’ INTERNAL SECURITY OPERATIONS PROFIT
Abdul hAmeed niAzi
HE Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Tuesday approved a series of strategic allocations and policy measures aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s defence, internal security, food management, and petroleum exploration sectors. Chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb at the Finance Division, the meeting brought together federal ministers, special assistants to the prime minister, secretaries, and senior officials from relevant ministries and regulatory bodies. The committee approved a Technical Supplementary Grant (TSG) of Rs50 billion for a range of Defence Services projects, coming shortly after a surge in terrorist attacks that have rattled the country, including a recent assault on Cadet College Wana and a suicide blast outside the district court in Islamabad’s G-11 sector that left 12 people dead and 36 injured. In addition, the ECC sanctioned Rs100.3 million for the maintenance and repair of defence equipment used by the Federal Civil Armed Forces, ensuring operational readiness of key law enforcement and security machinery. A further Rs841.56 million was approved to support border management operations, internal security, and law-and-order maintenance by the Federal Civil Armed Forces, with officials
noting the funds would enhance nationwide security measures and bolster border infrastructure. On the food security front, the ECC approved the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to oversee the structured closure of the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO). The SPV will operate with an initial paid-up capital of Rs1 million and is expected to manage procurement reforms, supply-chain restructuring, and efficiency improvements as part of the winding-down process. Officials said the move is aimed at streamlining the organisation while maintaining continuity in agricultural services, reflecting the
government’s broader focus on restructuring state-run enterprises. The committee also approved measures to incentivise foreign participation in Pakistan’s petroleum exploration sector, including extensions of license periods and assignment of working interests for offshore oil and gas blocks. In a major development, Turkish Petroleum Overseas Company (TPOC) was cleared to take operatorship of the Eastern Offshore Block-C, with Pakistan Petroleum Limited reducing its stake to 35%, while Mari Energies and the state-run Oil and Gas Development Company hold the remaining shares. Finance Ministry Adviser Khurram Schehzad said the block
contains a drill-ready prospect and added that the transition is expected to bring international technical expertise, enhance operational efficiency, and attract fresh foreign investment, advancing Pakistan’s pursuit of energy security. Officials highlighted that this approval is part of a broader effort to revive Pakistan’s offshore energy potential. Since independence in 1947, only 18 wells have been drilled in the country’s 300,000-square-kilometre offshore zone, which borders Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran. The ECC’s approval follows the first offshore bidding round since 2007, in which 23 of 40 offered blocks covering roughly 53,500 square kilometres were awarded to investors. Observers said the approvals signal a push to attract more foreign participation, bring valuable operating experience, and enhance technical capabilities in the energy sector. The ECC meeting was attended by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Special Assistants to the Prime Minister, federal secretaries, and senior officials from the concerned ministries and divisions. Analysts said the decisions demonstrate the government’s commitment to reinforcing national security, modernising agricultural operations, and encouraging foreign investment in strategic sectors, all during a period of heightened national concern.
Govt to providing all possible facilities to Sikh community visiting Pakistan: PM ISLAMABAD
stAff report
Opposition alliance marches from Parliament to Supreme Court against 27th Amendment ISLAMABAD
stAff Correspondent
The joint opposition bloc, Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-AyeenPakistan (TTAP), staged a protest march on Tuesday against the recently passed 27th Constitutional Amendment, moving from Parliament House to the Supreme Court in what leaders described as a symbolic struggle to defend the country’s Constitution. TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai led the rally alongside Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, parliamentarians, lawyers, and party workers. The protesters gathered briefly outside the Supreme Court before dispersing. The alliance also declared that a nationwide “Black Day” would be observed to condemn what it called “ongoing constitutional violations.” Speaking to reporters, Allama Abbas said the march highlighted their concern that “all avenues of justice have been closed” for citizens. “We walked from parliament to the Supreme Court to show how the doors to justice are being shut in Pakistan,” he remarked. He said the consensus-driven Constitution had now been turned into a “contested document,” stressing that no legislation should violate its spirit.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday said that the government was committed to providing all possible facilities to the Sikh community visiting Pakistan. He said Pakistan was home to numerous sacred religious sites for Sikhs, where members of the Sikh community from all over the world came to perform their religious rituals, and Pakistan ensured their hospitality. The prime minister met with President of Sikhs of America Jasdeep Singh who called on him. The meeting was also attended by Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar and PakistaniAmerican businessman Sajid Tarar. The prime minister while extending a warm welcome to Jasdeep Singh, said that it was a matter of pride that Pakistan was ensuring the maintenance of Sikh
community’s sacred sites and Gurdwaras, as well as providing all possible facilities. He assured that the government would develop a strategy to further enhance the welfare of the Sikh community in Pakistan and provide additional facilities to Sikh pilgrims from around the world. While referring to the Pakistani
diaspora, the prime minister highlighted that they were playing a vital role in the country’s development, prosperity and bringing global recognition to Pakistan. Jasdeep Singh thanked the prime minister and the government of Pakistan for their hospitality and the warm reception extended to Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan.
Pakistan launches first bunkering operations at Karachi Port PAKISTAN INAUGURATES STANDARDISED SHIP FUELING AT KARACHI PORT, AIMING TO BOOST MARITIME SAFETY, ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING, AND INCREASE PORT REVENUES THROUGH GLOBALLY COMPLIANT BUNKERING OPERATIONS ISLAMABAD
monitoring desk
Pakistan has launched its first-ever standardised bunkering operations at the Karachi Port, aligning the country’s largest harbor with global maritime safety and operational standards. Bunkering refers to the fueling of ships for propulsion and on-board use, including the storage, transfer, and management of marine fuels such as oil and gas. Standardised bunkering ensures safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant refueling—an essential requirement for seamless maritime transport and global shipping operations. Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Chaudhry said on Tuesday the initiative was undertaken on the instructions of the Prime Minister, who has directed accelerated modernisation of port services and a broader upgrade of Pakistan’s maritime infrastructure. He said the introduction of regulated bunkering fills a longstanding gap in Karachi Port’s service portfolio, enabling it to compete more effectively with established regional bunkering hubs. The availability of safe, reliable, and efficiently managed bunkering, he added, is expected to attract more international shipping lines, particularly operators seeking predictable service standards and streamlined port calls. According to the minister, increased vessel traffic would boost foreign-exchange earnings through port fees, marine services, ship repairs, supplies, and maritime logistics. The expected rise in operations is also projected to create employment across various sectors of the maritime economy. Mr Chaudhry said the new service strengthens Pakistan’s presence in the international maritime market by demonstrating its commitment to environmentally responsible and globally competitive port management. Compliance with global standards on fuel quality, safety procedures, documentation, and transparency, he noted, is essential to building confidence among shipowners and international trading companies. The minister said the first phase of operations would be launched in collaboration with one of the world’s leading energy trading houses, which will conduct bunkering at Karachi Port using internationally certified practices. The venture is expected to expand as domestic refineries increase production of refined fuels meeting global specifications—an outcome he described as a direct benefit to the national exchequer.
OGRA notifies up to 1.97% increase in RLNG prices for November PROFIT
AhmAd AhmAdAni
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), acting under the Policy Guidelines of the Federal Government, has notified revised Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) prices for November 1, 2025, showing mixed adjustments across transmission and distribution categories for SNGPL and SSGCL. According to the OGRA’s determi-
nation, SNGPL’s RLNG transmission price has slightly decreased from $11.4381/MMBtu in October to $11.4305/MMBtu in November, a reduction of 0.07%. However, its distribution price has increased from $12.2300/MMBtu to $12.3996/MMBtu, reflecting a 1.39% rise. For SSGCL, both categories show an upward revision. Its transmission price has increased from $10.0585/MMBtu to $10.0652/MMBtu (up 0.07%), while the distribution price
has gone up from $11.2304/MMBtu to $11.4520/MMBtu, marking a 1.97% increase. OGRA stated that the slight rise in overall RLNG prices is mainly due to an increase in the UFG (Unaccounted for Gas) percentage. The small reduction in SNGPL’s RLNG transmission price is linked to a decline in UFG on SNGPL’s transmission network. The latest RLNG price notification for November 2025 has been made available on the OGRA website.
Dar urges SCO states to fast-track regional economic integration, activate key financial mechanisms ISLAMABAD
stAff Correspondent
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday urged member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to expedite regional economic integration by activating essential financial mechanisms to support connectivity and development initiatives. Addressing the 24th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) in Moscow — the organisation’s second-highest decision-making forum overseeing cooperation in trade, finance, connectivity, commerce, and socio-economic development — Dar said the joint communiqué and documents adopted at the summit would help guide collective efforts toward shared prosperity. He noted that the SCO’s agenda, which spans trade, economy, culture and humanitarian cooperation, reflects the organisation’s
evolution into a “mature, future-oriented” regional bloc. Citing outcomes of the recent Tianjin summit, he said the SCO is moving towards deeper economic integration. Dar highlighted expanded trade collaboration, improved infrastructure connectivity, investment partnerships and the growth of digital economies as core drivers of sustainable development across member states. He also emphasised the organisation’s potential to boost humanitarian cooperation and strengthen disaster response. Sharing Pakistan’s experience, Dar said the country had developed a “technologydriven, proactive” disaster management system, adding that Islamabad was ready to hold simulation exercises with member states to bolster regional preparedness. Calling for more meaningful engagement with SCO observer and partner states, the foreign minister urged the organisation to move beyond “passive observation” and
involve them in project-based initiatives aligned with their capacities. He also outlined proposals for enhanced cooperation, including activation of the SCO Interbank Consortium and progress toward establishing an SCO Development Bank to support connectivity and technical collaboration projects. Underscoring the need for human capital development, Dar called for expanding the SCO University Network into a consortium focused on applied research. Such an initiative, he said, would promote student exchanges and joint studies in key fields such as information technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture, water management and telemedicine. Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening regional linkages, he said the SCO must serve as a “launch pad for shared success,” fostering greater innovation, interconnectedness and economic integration among member states.