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  • Electricity bills to reflect Rs3.07 per unit hike in December

    Electricity bills to reflect Rs3.07 per unit hike in December

    The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has officially sanctioned a Rs3.07 per unit increase in electricity prices for October 2023, attributed to Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA), as communicated in its notification on Tuesday.

    This tariff adjustment will be separately reflected in the power bills based on the units consumed by consumers of all ex-Wapda DISCOs (XWDISCOs) during October 2023. NEPRA has specified that XWDISCOs are to incorporate the FCA in the billing cycle for December 2023.

    It is important to note that this tariff adjustment does not apply to K.Electric (KE) consumers, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS), or lifeline consumers.

    The adjustment in the approved tariff for Ex-WAPDA DISCOs was prompted by variations in fuel charges for October 2023, as indicated in the request submitted by CPPA-G via a letter dated November 15, 2023, the authority clarified. NEPRA emphasised the need for XWDISCOs to adhere strictly to court orders while implementing the FCA.

    In a separate development, a NEPRA inquiry report disclosed that numerous electricity consumers in Pakistan were overcharged during July and August of the current year. 

    The report highlighted that distribution companies (DISCOs) billed consumers for over 40 days, leading to widespread overbilling. NEPRA identified MEPCO, followed by GEPCO, FESCO, LESCO, and HESCO, as the main contributors to this overbilling, holding all DISCOs responsible for this unjustified practice.

    The report recommended legal actions against power distribution companies, including K-Electric Limited (KEL), under NEPRA Fine Regulations, 2021, for violating the provisions of the NEPRA Act, Consumer Service Manual (CSM), and tariff terms and conditions.

  • 10th Shell Tameer Awards – The Brilliance of Future Innovators

    10th Shell Tameer Awards – The Brilliance of Future Innovators

    A visionary concept like that of the likes of Shell’s flagship programme, the Shell Tameer, is one that gives youth a dynamic platform where sustainable, revolutionary, and scaleble ideas can prosper. Shell Tameer Awards is a beacon of hope for innovators and their developmental portfolios designed to fortify economies. Shell Tameer lays the foundation of entrepreneurship, and innovation to create meaningful changes in the country. A nationwide spectacle became the nexus where innovative ideas and creative minds across Pakistan came together to share a platform for the benefit of the country.

    Shell Tameer Awards 2023 saw a plethora of impeccable ideas poised to redefine Pakistan’s trajectory of progress. These ideas promise to bring transformative solutions to the challenges faced by the nation and its people, acting as a catalyst for economic growth.

    Diverse in scope and impact, the Shell Tameer Awards boast a spectrum of categories that mirror the multifaceted challenges and opportunities of our time, let’s shed some light on a few of many extraordinary visions that we encountered on the 10th Shell Tameer Awards.

    Clean Energy Solutions

    Clean Energy Jamal Ahmed – Solar Safe – A pioneering startup from Peshawar, specialising in solar panel cleaning, maintenance, and repair services for solar PV systems. It aligns with the principles of sustainability and circular economy by extending up to 10 years the lifespan of solar panels and maximising the energy of energy production.

    Sheraz Khalid – ECO CHAR – An environmentally friendly clean-tech based charcoal manufacturer that addresses the issue of sub-standard fuel in domestic, industrial, and commercial sectors.

    Empowering Women

    Shehnaz Akhtar – HALANCE NATURALS PVT LTD – A company that works towards creating natural and clean skincare, hair oils and essential soaps, scrubs, and shampoos nurtured through organically grown fruit goodness that grows from pesticide-free farming.

    Technology Innovation

    Farha Masood – BIO-NANO INNOVATIONS – A young startup developing specialised wound dressing for diabetic patients who consistently face issues of foot ulcers, bacterial invasion, and infections. The business aims to commercialize affordable adhesive dressings to provide aseptic conditions and promote wound healing for diabetic patients.

    Abdul Hanan – Softwares Solution – A smart system designed to serve over 70 million people suffering from stammer/stutter by taking voice input and predicting the next word/sentence as transcribed output.

    Anjum Javed – AGRIBOTX – Forefront runner of a transformative solution – Precision Robotics for future farming harnessed with cutting-edge technology, AI, and data-driven insights to develop a comprehensive suite of robotic solutions.

    Circular Economy

    Humza Rehman – RDUINOTRONICS – A high-quality filaments producer that uses discarded plastic bottles to manufacture filaments suitable for 3D printers, hence addressing the issue of plastic waste and fulfilling the need for more accessible and cost-effective filaments.

    Bushra Ali Khan – BAAZYAFT – An eco-friendly initiative where underprivileged communities, including transgenders and deserving females, produce home accessories, stationery items, and fashion accessories from textile waste.

    The Shell Tameer Awards extend beyond the winner’s podium, all 30 finalists benefit from global consultancy, exposure, and constructive feedback from industry leaders, helping them progress their business and further their ideas from concept to reality.

    Shell Tameer emerges as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and a flag-bearer of creative potential across Pakistan. It empowers leaders, game-changers, and trailblazers to shape national economic growth. Two decades on, the program continues to foster innovative solutions, building a modern, convenient, and vibrant ecosystem that propels the future of the nation. As we celebrate another successful year of the 10th Shell Tameer Awards, we eagerly anticipate the untold stories and hidden brilliance that will shape the next chapter of Pakistan’s journey towards progress and innovation.

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  • Peshawar: Blast on Warsak Road injures seven, including three children

    Peshawar: Blast on Warsak Road injures seven, including three children

    Update: A blast shook the buildings of Warsak Road early in the morning on Tuesday in Peshawar. At least seven people, including three children, were injured in the explosion as confirmed by the police and hospital sources, reports Geo News.


    The blast took place around 9:10 am on Tuesday.

    SSP Operations Kashif Aftab Abbasi said the Machnigate Police Station’s mobile vehicle was on routine patrol when the bomb exploded.

    “As soon as the police mobile passed by, the blast occurred three seconds later. The militants wanted to target the police vehicle,” he said, speaking with Geo News.

    The police official said no arrests have been made yet, but the involved network will be apprehended soon.

    Abbasi added that the CCTV footage of the explosion is being examined.


    The police have confirmed that the explosion was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast.


    The official revealed that four kilogrammes of explosives, planted in a cemented block on the side of the road, were used in the blast. The area has been cordoned off while further investigation is under way, Warsak Superintendent of Police Arshad Khan said.


    “It would be premature to say who was the target,” SP Arshad Khan said speaking with journalists as reported by Geo.


    The injured were shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital where two children are said to be in critical condition. All of them are between seven to 10 years of age, the hospital’s spokesperson told Geo News.


    Rescue officials told Geo that the glass windows of two vehicles and nearby buildings were broken due to the intensity of the explosion.
    Mayor Metropolitan Zubair Ali told journalists that the explosion near a school was an attempt to disturb peace and order.


    “The explosion near educational institutions is unfortunate.”

    Pakistan has witnessed a considerable increase in terror activities in recent months, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year.

    Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) in a report showed that the country experienced 34 per cent increase in anti-state violence last month, reported Dawn.

  • Women in green make Pakistan proud after winning T20 series against New Zealand

    Women in green make Pakistan proud after winning T20 series against New Zealand

    In a groundbreaking achievement, the Pakistan women’s cricket team scripted history in Dunedin on Tuesday, securing their inaugural series triumph against the formidable New Zealand women’s squad, marking an end to the latter’s undefeated streak of 8-0 in T20Is against Pakistan.

    The women’s team also made history on Sunday as they registered their maiden win over New Zealand, beating the hosts by seven wickets in the first Twenty20 International.

    The turning point unfolded over two consecutive matches, where the Girls in Green displayed remarkable prowess to emerge victorious.

    The first encounter witnessed a convincing 7-wicket win, setting the stage for an even more decisive performance in the second game, where Pakistan outshone their opponents by a margin of 10 runs, solidifying their series lead at 2-0.

    Facing a formidable New Zealand side, Pakistan managed to restrict the hosts to a total of 127/7 after setting a target of 137/6.

    Aalia Riaz played a crucial role, contributing 32 off 22, including one shot over the boundary and three well-timed strokes to the fence.

    Muneeba Ali, the opener, also made a significant impact with a score of 35.

    In response, New Zealand found themselves struggling at 89/6, courtesy of Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack.

    However, a resilient effort by Georgia Pimmer and Hamma Rowe aimed to revive the hosts’ chances.

    Despite their efforts, they fell short by 10 runs as Fatima Sana successfully defended 17 runs in the final over.

    Fatima Sana emerged as a key player with an impressive performance, securing three crucial wickets, while Sadia Iqbal added to the triumph by sending two players back to the pavilion.

    Scores in brief: PAKISTAN 137-6 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 35, Aliya Riaz 32 not out, Nida Dar 14; Fran Jones 2-21)

    NEW ZEALAND 127-7 in 20 overs (Georgia Plimmer 28 run out, Hannah Rowe 33; Fatima Sana 3-22)

  • Saudi Arabia says ‘absolutely not’ to oil phaseout at COP28

    Saudi Arabia says ‘absolutely not’ to oil phaseout at COP28

    AFP – DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s energy minister has slammed the door shut on agreeing to phase out fossil fuels at the UN’s COP28 climate talks, setting the stage for difficult negotiations in Dubai.

    A tentative “phasedown/out” was included in a first draft of an agreement on climate action that delegates are haggling over during talks that are scheduled to finish on Dec 12.

    But Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, a half-brother of de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, told Bloomberg that Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, would not agree.

    “Absolutely not,” he said in an interview in Riyadh.

    “And I assure you not a single person – I’m talking about governments – believes in that.”

    About 200 countries must come to a consensus decision at the meeting in Dubai, held at the end of the hottest year on record.

    In an interview with AFP last week, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a total phaseout of fossil fuels, warning “complete disaster” awaits mankind on its current trajectory.

    But Prince Abdulaziz said: “I would like to put that challenge for all of those who… comes out publicly saying we have to (phase out), I’ll give you their name and number, call them and ask them how they are gonna do that.

    “If they believe that this is the highest moral ground issue, fantastic. Let them do that themselves. And we will see how much they can deliver.”

    ‘Small change’

    Separately, the Saudi royal also derided Western donations to a new climate loss and damage fund as “small change” and trumpeted Riyadh’s pledges to developing countries.

    The fund for vulnerable nations – a major win at the start of COP28 – has attracted about US$655 million (S$876.22 million) so far from donors including the European Union and the United States, a sum criticised as insufficient by campaigners.

    “Unlike the small change offered for loss and damage from our partners in developed countries, the Kingdom through its South-South cooperation announced in the Saudi Africa Summit in Riyadh last month the allocation of up to US$50 billion,” he said in a video message to Monday’s Saudi Green Initiative forum, held on the sidelines of COP28.

    “This will help build resilient infrastructure and strengthen climate resilience and adaptation in the African continent directly through Saudi stakeholders,” added the prince, without giving further details.

    Such private funds have been criticised by campaigners for lacking transparency and because the pledges are non-binding and include loans and investments.

    Saudi Arabia has revamped its energy sources, invested in renewables and improved energy-efficiency as it tries to decarbonise its economy by 2030, Prince Abdulaziz added.

    But that target does not include emissions from the 8.9 million barrels of oil a day exported by Saudi Arabia.

    Africa and its energy mix is an area of focus for both Saudi and the UAE, which in September pledged US$4.5 billion for clean-energy investments in the continent.

    “You cannot go to undeveloped countries or developing countries and ask them to do the same measures of the transition,” Yasir Al-Rumayyan, chairman of Saudi state oil giant Aramco, told the forum.

    “Especially people who don’t have access to the energy.”

    He said he heard an African minister say “in order for us to have growth, we have to carbonise first then to decarbonise.”

  • Pakistan Women’s team defeats New Zealand in the second T20

    Pakistan Women’s team defeats New Zealand in the second T20

    Pakistan women’s team beat New Zealand by 10 runs in the second T20.

    Pakistan has a decisive lead of 2-0 in the 3-match series. New Zealand’s team has scored 127 runs in pursuit of the target of 138 runs.

    On behalf of Pakistan, Muniba Ali scored 35 runs, Alia Riaz scored 32 runs, Bisma Maruf scored 21 runs, and Captain Nida Dar scored 14 runs. Pakistan women’s team scored 137 runs in the allotted overs while batting first.

    New Zealand’s Heena Roy scored 33 runs, and Georgia Palmer scored 28 runs. The third and final T20 match of the series will be played on December 9.

  • Junior Hockey World Cup, Pakistan defeats South Africa by 2-0 in warm-up match

    Junior Hockey World Cup, Pakistan defeats South Africa by 2-0 in warm-up match

    In the warm-up match of the Junior Hockey World Cup, Pakistan defeated South Africa by 2-0, the first goal for Pakistan was scored by Abdul Hanan, and the second goal by Ghazanfar.

    The Junior Hockey World Cup organized by FIH will start tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The Pakistani team will start their campaign with a match against the Netherlands on December 6. New Zealand, while the third and final match will be played against Belgium on December 9.

  • Heavy rains in Chennai flooded airport, leaving 8 dead, thousands affected

    Heavy rains in Chennai flooded airport, leaving 8 dead, thousands affected

    Cyclone Michaung was expected to make landfall on the coast of the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh around noon on Tue­sday, the country’s weather office said, with sustained winds of 90-100kph (56-62mph), gusting to 110kph.

    The cyclone was forecast to hit the coast of Andhra Pradesh state later Tuesday as a “severe cyclonic storm”, packing winds up to 100 kilometres, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

    In Chennai, cars were seen floating on raging torrents, homes were flooded, and a crocodile was spotted swimming the streets in the city.

    In some parts of the flooded city, people used boats to get out of their flooded neighbourhoods to the safety of government relief shelters.

    The IMD warned of “exceptionally heavy rainfall” in some areas.

    “We are facing the worst storm in recent memory,” Tamil Nadu state chief minister M.K. Stalin said, in a statement late Monday.

    Police said on Tuesday that eight people had been killed in the state capital of Chennai.

    They included some who drowned, as well as one person hit by a falling tree, another electrocuted by live wires in the water, and one crushed by a falling wall.

    Trees were uprooted and vehicles swept away due to the heavy rains, according to images posted on social media.

    Apple iPhone manufacturers Foxconn and Pegatron and automaker Hyundai suspended their operations in Tamil Nadu due to the storm, local media reported.

    The cyclone is expected to hit India’s southeast coast near the town of Bapatla, on the 300-kilometre (185-mile) stretch between Nellore and Machilipatnam.

    Hundreds of people from coastal villages in the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh have moved inland, with emergency rescue teams deployed to deal with the aftermath of the cyclone’s landfall, according to local media.

    Sea surges of waves up to 1.5 metres (nearly five feet) above normal tide levels are expected when the cyclone makes landfall, the IMD said.

    Home Minister Amit Shah said the government was “braced to provide all the necessary assistance to Andhra Pradesh”, with rescue teams deployed and more “on standby to mobilise as needed”.

    The cyclone is expected to weaken late Tuesday.

    Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer with climate change.

    Cyclones — the equivalent of hurricanes in the North Atlantic or typhoons in the Northwest Pacific — are a regular and deadly menace on coasts in the northern Indian Ocean, where tens of millions of people live.

    Schools, colleges, offices and banks were closed on Monday and Tuesday in at least four districts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, because of weather conditions, a government notice said.

  • Driver arrested for running over pigeon

    Driver arrested for running over pigeon

    A Tokyo taxi driver was arrested for deliberately driving into a flock of pigeons and killing one, police said Tuesday, reportedly because he was angry that the birds were on the road.

    Atsushi Ozawa, 50, “used his car to kill a common pigeon, which is not a game animal”, in the Japanese capital last month, and was arrested on Sunday for violating wildlife protection laws, a Tokyo police spokesman told AFP.

    Ozawa sped off from a traffic light when it turned green, ploughing his taxi into the bevy of birds at a speed of 60 kilometres (37 miles) per hour, local media said.

    The sound of the engine reportedly prompted a surprised passer-by to report the incident.

    Tokyo police had a veterinarian perform a post-mortem on the hapless pigeon and determined its cause of death as traumatic shock, according to local media.

    “Roads belong to humans, so pigeons should have dodged out of the way,” Ozawa was quoted by local media as telling investigators.

    Police called his behaviour “highly malicious” for a professional driver, before deciding to go ahead with the arrest, broadcaster Fuji TV said.

    “Wow, can you get arrested for running over a pigeon?”, one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    “He could’ve just honked his car horn or something. But intentionally killing it? That’s crossing the line,” another posted.

  • PEMRA nay laga dee TV channels pay aik aur pabandi

    PEMRA nay laga dee TV channels pay aik aur pabandi

    Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has barred television channels from airing anything that casts doubt on the electoral process.

    The notification, issued on November 3, states, “All the satellite TV channel licensees were directed vide this office directives dated 3* November, 2023 to strictly comply with the PEMRA’s Code of Conduct 2015 and ensure that no speculative, doubtful and false information/content with reference to electoral process or conduct of General Elections is aired, broadcasted or televised in any manner, whatsoever, which may subsequently hamper smooth conduct of the General Elections 2024.”

    It further says that all the licensees, while airing their transmission before General Elections 2024, must be mindful of the fact that no such content/discussion / comment is aired which may create doubts or an impression in the minds of the public about the polls or may sabotage elections through any negative/false news, information or report aired on any satellite TV channel, inadvertently.

    Anchor Person Mohammad Malick took to X (former Twitter) and wrote, “Has Pemra gone absolutely bonkers? media barred from even discussing the possibility of flawed election process by EC. All media outlets & journo orgs must outrightly reject this ridiculous ‘unholy commandment’. this is brazen censorship and must be resisted.”

    Secretary General South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) Imtiaz Alam said, “Indeed, Election Commission of Pakistan should be respected, but it must earn respect by ensuring even-playing field fo all and transparently conducting electoral process. However, PEMRA order must be rejected. Media must critically evaluate the conduct of elections and ECP.”