CCOE refuses to endorse IPP deal in haste
Members say they were not sent summary for review, asked for time to examine document
Details reveal efficiency and cost take back seat in buying electricity from IPPs PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE) on Thursday refused to approve in haste a deal reached with the independent power producers (IPPs).
The deal with 47 IPPs was submitted to the cabinet body on energy for approval. It was informed that there would be savings of Rs836 billion following the agreement with the IPPs.
However, committee members said that they could not accord approval in haste as a summary was not sent to them for review.
National
January 1, 2021
LAHORE: The energy sector should be depoliticized and people having conflict of interests should not be appointed in any of the key posts in the sector. This will help end incompetency, nepotism and favoritism in the energy sector and lead to proper development of the sector.
These views were expressed by the energy sector experts responding to the questions speaking at a webinar at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) here on Thursday.
The energy experts including Senior Research Economist Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) Afia Malik, Energy Specialist of Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Dr Hina Aslam and Energy Research Center COMSATS Dr Iftikhar Ahmed suggested that the energy policy should be made focusing on available indigenous resources instead of import-base fuels such as RLNG and imported coals which resulted in increase in import bill and high cost of the energy. Additionally, import-base energy generat
ECC approves WHT on new cars
Defers approval of Karachi package again and request for import of more wheat
ISLAMABAD:
The cabinet’s economic decision-making body on Wednesday approved the levy of an additional withholding tax of up to Rs200,000 on sale of newly bought cars within three months of purchase aimed at discouraging unchecked premium being paid to get timely delivery.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet also adopted, in principle, a subsidies rationalisation plan that sought to abolish untargeted and unrecognised subsidies and ensure at least Rs488 billion in annual savings. ECC Chairman Abdul Hafeez Shaikh gave directive for bringing specific proposals before the committee for abolishing and rationalising the subsidies.