Pakistan

PM urges nation to show self discipline, guard against panic

Published

6 years ago

March 22, 2020

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday appealed to the nation to impose self-discipline and should not indulge in panic buying, as with collective efforts, they would overcome the threats of Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic.

In his second televised address to the nation after the country reported above 600 Coronavirus cases, the prime minister said that they were not going for complete lockdown as the situation in Pakistan was different from the rest of the world. It would create economic woes as 25 per cent chunk of its population was living below the poverty line.

“The issue of panic is more dangerous than Coronavirus. If all go on panic buying, it will result in irreparable damage to society,” he stressed.

Noting a difference between the situation in Pakistan and those of the US, UK, Italy, and France after the COVID 19 pandemic, he said the complete lockdown would mean the imposition of curfew across the country with the law enforcement agencies and armed forces on the streets to enforce it.

In case of such a scenario what would become of the laborers, daily wagers, rickshaw, and taxi drivers, he said adding they would have no resources to look after their families, similarly, the government did not have the resources to cater to their needs.

The prime minister said China did it because it was the second richest country in the world with an adequate system and huge resources.

Reminding the nation to adopt precautionary measures, he said “They should go for self-quarantine. If you have symptoms like flu and cough, stay inside your homes instead of visiting hospitals.”

The prime minister observed that about 90 per cent affected persons from the disease had mild symptoms and they recovered quickly. The disease posed serious threats to the old and senile population or those who had respiratory complications.

“The pandemic could spread quickly if the nation did not take precautionary measures,” he warned.

The prime minister said that social distancing should be given preferences instead of holding marriages or other social gatherings inside homes as it would be an injustice with the old population of the country who were the most vulnerable segment of society.

“My advice is to impose discipline upon yourself, take care of yourself and avoid going outside,” he stressed.

The prime minister said the government had already issued directives for the closure of shopping malls and rescheduling of cricket events.

The prime minister said Allah Almighty often tried the believers with ordeals. “I have a firm belief in my nation which always emerges out of the trying times successfully. I am proud of my nation which faced difficult times.

I have strong hopes with my nation and it will not disappoint me,” he said and cited the natural calamity of the 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods which inflicted huge damages upon the country.

He also mentioned the support extended by the overseas Pakistanis in those hard times.

The prime minister said today, his government required the nation’s full support and cooperation in tackling the Covid 19 threat as any slackness or irresponsibility on their part could lead to a problematic situation.

He said if the nation imposed self-discipline like the one exhibited by the Chinese nation, it would emerge successful in the current situation.

The prime minister said the country had no shortage of edible things and advised the people not to pile up things unnecessarily.

He further assured the nation that he along with his team were working day and night as to how to tackle the situation and steer the business, economic and industrial sectors of the country out of the current economic slowdown.

And in this regard, he would announce a plan within a couple of days, he added.

The nation, he said, should have full confidence in his government and his economic team that had been fully alive to the current situation and devising mechanism to provide relief to the public by mitigating their problems.

With regard to media, the prime minister observed that it had an important role in the current situation.

Pakistan

NEPRA approves tariff cuts, power consumers to get Rs56bn relief

Published

1 week ago

June 5, 2026

Haris Sarfraz Ali

LAHORE – The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has approved a reduction in electricity tariffs that is expected to provide consumers relief worth about Rs56 billion over the next three months.

In a notification issued on Thursday, the regulator announced a Rs1.99 per unit decrease under the quarterly tariff adjustment for the January-March 2026 quarter. The reduction will remain effective during June, July and August and is estimated to translate into consumer relief of roughly Rs67bn.

However, Nepra also allowed a fuel cost adjustment increase of Rs1.19 per unit for electricity consumed in April, which will be charged in June bills. The increase is expected to generate approximately Rs11bn for distribution companies.

As a result, consumers are likely to see a net reduction of around 80 paisa per unit in their June electricity bills, while the full benefit of the quarterly adjustment will continue in the following two months.

The approved FCA increase is lower than the Rs1.74 per unit sought by the Central Power Purchasing Agency, with Nepra trimming the proposed recovery amount to about Rs11bn from nearly Rs16bn.

According to the regulator, the quarterly adjustment was driven by changes in capacity payments, transmission charges, market operator costs, transmission and distribution losses, and the government’s incremental electricity consumption package for industrial and agricultural sectors.

Most consumer categories will benefit from the reduction, although certain lifeline and prepaid consumers, as well as some consumers covered by the incremental consumption scheme, will not be eligible for parts of the adjustment.

Pakistan

Pakistan loses $1.6bn annually to e-commerce checkout inefficiencies: Report

Published

2 months ago

April 28, 2026

Haris Sarfraz Ali

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s rapidly growing e-commerce sector is incurring significant financial losses at the checkout stage, with inefficiencies in payment systems costing businesses an estimated $1.61 billion annually, according to a new white paper by Payoneer.

The report highlights that merchants across Asia collectively lose around $72bn each year due to checkout-related challenges, with Pakistan representing a notable share of this gap.

A major portion of the losses in Pakistan — approximately $0.97bn — stems from cart abandonment, which accounts for over 60 per cent of the total. Analysts attribute this to friction during the checkout process, including unexpected charges, payment declines, and lack of pricing transparency.

Settlement delays contribute a further $0.46bn in losses, while $0.18bn is lost due to foreign exchange (FX) costs and other payment-related inefficiencies, the report noted.

Despite strong consumer demand, many transactions fail to convert into completed purchases, limiting revenue realisation for businesses. The issue is particularly acute for cross-border sellers, as international customers increasingly expect localised payment options and pricing in their own currencies.

Industry experts say complex payment systems involving multiple intermediaries further erode merchant margins, while delays in settlement cycles restrict cash flow, affecting businesses’ ability to fulfil orders and expand operations.

The findings point to structural weaknesses in Pakistan’s digital trade ecosystem, where financial infrastructure has yet to keep pace with the country’s expanding participation in global e-commerce.

Experts suggest that improving checkout processes, streamlining payment channels, and ensuring faster settlement could help address these inefficiencies. Introducing localised payment methods and transparent pricing, along with reducing fragmentation in banking relationships, may enhance conversion rates and unlock liquidity for businesses.

As Pakistan seeks to strengthen its position in Asia’s digital economy, addressing these bottlenecks could transform lost value into tangible growth for exporters and online sellers.

Pakistan

Imran Amin highlights quality, sustainability, timely delivery aligned with Punjab govt vision

Published

2 months ago

April 21, 2026

Haris Sarfraz Ali

Lahore – April 21, 2026: CEO CBD Punjab, Imran Amin, toured the CBD Walk and CBD Lake projects to evaluate ongoing development efforts and monitor progress firsthand. He carried out a thorough inspection of both projects, reaffirming CBD Punjab’s dedication to delivering projects on schedule and to high standards.

CEO CBD Punjab Imran Amin was accompanied by senior officials including Director Project Management Asif Iqbal, Director Engineering Umar Hayat, Director Construction Asif Babar, Director Architecture & Planning Sameer Aftab Sial, and project contractors.

During the briefing, it was shared that construction work on CBD Walk is progressing ahead of schedule, while maintenance work is underway at CBD Lake to further enhance its sustainability and long-term functionality. Plans are also in place to install dancing fountains to elevate the aesthetic appeal of the area.

Director Architecture & Planning Sameer Aftab Sial briefed the CEO on the exterior design of the structure and the selection of tiles, highlighting the project’s modern and visually appealing outlook.

Expressing satisfaction over the pace of development, CEO CBD Punjab Imran Amin emphasized the importance of maintaining high construction standards. He stated, “This project, aligned with the vision of the Chief Minister Punjab, will emerge as a significant asset, contributing to Lahore’s social and economic landscape.”

The visit reflects CBD Punjab’s continued focus on delivering innovative, sustainable, and high-quality urban development projects.