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Express Tribune
19 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Timely energy projects 'top priority'
Under the Good Governance Roadmap Program, ensuring merit and transparency in institutional matters remains the top priority. The biggest challenge in this regard is completing ongoing energy projects within the stipulated timeframe. In line with the Chief Secretary's directive, all officials must play their part in operationalizing e-tendering, e-payment, and one-window service platform. These views were expressed by Secretary Energy and Power Muhammad Zubair Khan in a meeting attended by the heads of PEDO, K-P Oil and Gas Company, Electric Inspectorate and Energy Planning Directorate regarding the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Good Governance Roadmap. Additional Secretary Admin Shoaib Khan, Additional Secretary Power Anwar Khan Sherani and other senior officers also attended the meeting. Meanwhile, the Secretary while emphasizing the strict implementation of the guidelines set for ongoing energy projects, said that currently work is progressing rapidly on Balakot, Lawi, Gorkin Matiltan, Gabral Kalam, and Madyen Hydropower projects. The Secretary added that timely completion of these projects within the stipulated timeframe is a major challenge.
Business Recorder
14-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
NUST hosts assistive technology and inclusion summit
ISLAMABAD: Themed on 'Transformative Solutions for Inclusive Development: the Role of Innovation in Fueling an Accessible and Equitable World,' the Assistive Technology and Inclusion Summit (ATIS-2025) at NUST brought together over 200 changemakers, experts, and stakeholders. Organised jointly by NUST and Pak Everbright Development Organization (PEDO), ATIS-2025 served as a vital platform to address the critical need for assistive products, especially digital devices, for differently-abled persons and senior citizens in Pakistan. The summit aimed to bridge the gap between users and service providers, raise awareness about assistive technology, and create opportunities for cost-effective availability and maintenance of these crucial devices locally. One of the summit's key highlights was a panel discussion on "Innovation for Accessibility: The Role of Academia, Industry, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in advancing Inclusion." Industry leaders and field experts shared thought-provoking insights, with focus on current resources available for differently-abled persons and how different strategies and steps could help in making an inclusive future. "ATIS-2025 marks a significant step towards a truly inclusive society in Pakistan," stated Mr Shahab Ud Din, CEO of PEDO. 'Our collective efforts here today will ignite further research and development, and empower stakeholders to contribute to digital device innovation,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
KP govt refutes irregularities, corruption in solarisation scheme
PESHAWAR: The KP government has refuted the impression of alleged irregularities and financial corruption in the provision of free solar systems to 130,000 poor and middle-class families of the province termed it baseless and misleading propaganda, reported by some sections of media. It said that some vested interests associated with the solarisation business have started spreading false propaganda against the project after it failed to achieve its desired objectives. In this context, KP Energy and Power Department has clarified that the mega project of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's 130,000 free solar scheme had been launched through the online e-balloting in which deserving families have been selected on merit and at the same time he has issued instructions that the public welfare project should be completed as soon as possible. department's subsidiary, the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (PEDO). KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has inaugurated the first phase of the project through Moreover, the real facts about the project are that no payment has been made under this project yet. No tender has been allotted to any contractor, while the estimated rates of the project have been prepared in full accordance with the Market Rate System (MRS) 2024 first half and the approved market rate analysis of the Finance Department. The project was initiated after the approval of the Technical Committee comprising representatives of the Finance Department, P&D Department, Energy Department and PEDO after regular consultations regarding design, estimation and PC-1 in its meetings. In addition to this, the advance procurement process for the project has been initiated under Section 22 of the KPPRA Act, which allows approval subject to availability of funds. Similarly, the letter recently issued by KPPRA regarding the irregularities in procurement is also contrary to reality, in which the advance procurement of the penalised party has been mentioned. In this regard, the E&P Department further clarified regarding the project, there is impression that only one model of all-in-one solution in China that is also wrong because several companies in China are working on all-in-one solution. In fact, there are companies in Pakistan that are working on this model, which is proving the quality of work and technical process to be timely and effective. Similarly, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed between Bank of Khyber (BoK) and PEDO for the timely completion of the project. The non-ADP summary for this scheme has been approved by the cabinet and the Planning and Development Department has sent the cost of the project and other matters to the Chief Minister through a summary after formal approval. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
01-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt refutes allegations of irregularities
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has strongly rejected allegations of irregularities and financial misconduct in its flagship initiative to provide free solar energy systems to 130,000 low and middle-income households. In a statement issued on Sunday, the provincial administration labeled recent media reports as "baseless" and part of a "misleading propaganda campaign" allegedly driven by vested interests within the solar industry. The Energy and Power Department clarified that the large-scale solarization project is being implemented through the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO), a subsidiary body of the department. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur recently inaugurated the first phase of the initiative via online e-balloting, ensuring a transparent selection of eligible beneficiaries. Authorities emphasized that no funds have yet been disbursed under the scheme, nor has any contract been awarded to a vendor. The project's cost estimates have been prepared in line with the Market Rate System (MRS) 2024 and endorsed by the Finance Department's approved market analysis. The project underwent rigorous evaluation and received clearance from a Technical Committee.
Express Tribune
18-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
K-P's solar dream fades in the light of reality
As the world moves away from using fossil fuels for the generation of electricity, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government too has announced its decision to provide free or subsidized solar energy systems to over 130,000 families across the province. However, critics argue that the existing infrastructure is unequipped to handle the sudden shift to solar power. According to government figures, 32,500 households have been selected in the first phase of the project costing Rs20 billion. Over 2.5 million citizens reportedly applied online; an overwhelming response that reflects both the acute energy crisis in K-P and the desperation of residents living under chronic load shedding and erratic power supply. Despite the scale and cost, details around beneficiary selection, contract awarding, and post-installation support remain frustratingly opaque. An official from the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO), speaking on the condition of anonymity, admitted that many logistical and technical elements were still being "worked out," raising doubts about the readiness of the project. "We're still finalizing several implementation phases and vendor alignments," he said, without elaborating further. This lack of preparedness is concerning given the ambitious scope and the financial burden on an already cash-strapped provincial government. In public announcements, K-P's finance adviser Muzzamil Aslam hailed the project as a "first-of-its-kind" effort to deliver free electricity to households. He further claimed that solarizing homes, schools, and religious institutions will help relieve the national grid and generate significant savings. However, critics argue that the numbers being touted do not align with the realities on the ground. The solarization of 1,100 schools in the merged tribal districts includes those that already had solar panels but are now being upgraded. A PEDO report confirms that only 342 schools have completed installations to date, despite funding approvals exceeding Rs1.1 billion. Annual revenue projections of Rs170 million remain theoretical, not backed by independent audits or third-party validation. Similarly, the solarization of 2,000 mosques under another high-profile scheme is presented as a game-changer, with a claimed cost-saving of Rs75 million annually. Yet, critics argue that targeting religious institutions may be politically motivated, especially with local elections looming. Priority lists for eligible mosques and madrassas are being generated by "competent authorities," but the lack of transparency over how these lists are formed raises questions about favoritism and political patronage. According to Dr Kaleem Ullah, Associate Professor at the US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E) at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), solar energy not only eases the burden on consumers but also reduces dependency on conventional power sources like coal, which currently accounts for 64 per cent of our power generation hence this shift could lead to significant savings for the national exchequer. "However, there is a critical gap in the current infrastructure. Despite the growing momentum in solar adoption across departments and institutions, we lack adequate power storage facilities at grid stations. There is an urgent need to establish storage systems to harness and manage solar power effectively," he stressed. In Torghar, a relatively underdeveloped district, the government has promised to solarize 154 religious and community sites and over 3,200 houses. Yet, locals say there's been little outreach or clarity on who qualifies and what the timelines are. The government claims it will also solarize 23,000 public buildings across K-P. However, rather than investing in energy audits or comprehensive feasibility studies, officials appear to be taking a blanket approach, relying on private companies to handle procurement and installation. This opens the door for cost inflation, substandard equipment, and even corruptionissues that have plagued past energy projects in Pakistan. With Rs20 billion in play, civil society organizations are calling for stronger oversight. "There needs to be an independent monitoring body to ensure funds are being used efficiently," said a representative from the K-P Civil Society Network. "We've seen time and again how large-scale projects become political tools rather than genuine public services."
