Latest news with #PESCO
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
World Bank-funded project under Pesco: HEC seeks relaxation in bidding criteria
ISLAMABAD: The Heavy Electrical Complex (HEC) has formally sought a relaxation in the bidding criteria for a World Bank-funded project under the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO). In this regard, HEC's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has approached the WB Country Director, outlining the reasons for seeking amendments to the bidding conditions. PESCO is set to procure 18 power transformers of 132/11.5 kV, 40 MVA capacity through a WB-financed tender. HEC has recommended including a specific clause in the bidding documents that would enable fair participation of the recently privatized national enterprise. World Bank team briefed about Pesco's new projects According to the HEC CEO, the company is a well-established and reputable entity—Pakistan's only power transformer manufacturer—with operational experience dating back to 1998. To date, it has supplied 340 transformers, including 40 MVA units, to WAPDA, NTDC, K-Electric, and all distribution companies (Discos). The CEO stated that these transformers have performed reliably in the field for over 25 years without a single reported failure, earning full satisfaction from all stakeholders. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PESCO's power pledge falters on Eid
Promises of uninterrupted power supply in Peshawar during Eidul azha by the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) turned out to be empty words, as load shedding persisted across multiple areas of the city throughout the holidays. PESCO had publicly announced via social media that there would be no load shedding for three days during Eid. However, residents experienced prolonged outages in several areas, including Peshawar City, Kohat Road, and rural feeders. The announcement was met with widespread criticism online, with citizens venting their frustration at both PESCO and the federal government. Reports of meat spoiling due to power outages poured in from affected neighborhoods, while emergency response teams remained noticeably absent. Citizens continuously called complaint helplines to no avail. In Gulbela, the power shutdown led to a protest demonstration, with roads blocked for several hours. Contrastingly, electricity supply remained relatively stable in parts of inner city and Cantonment areas. However, load shedding began on the very first afternoon of Eid, much to the dismay of residents. Many pointed out that PESCO had issued an official statement promising uninterrupted power during Eid, a commitment that was clearly violated. In the sweltering summer heat, the frequent outages not only led to the spoilage of sacrificial meat but also disrupted the spirit of hospitality typically associated with Eid gatherings. Despite PESCO's announcement that there would be no load shedding in any of the city's circlesincluding Cantt, City, and Ruralresidents from areas such as Wazir Bagh, Kohat Road, Charsadda Road, Chamkani, and Doraanpur reported prolonged blackouts. These grievances quickly gained traction on social media. Adding fuel to the fire, a letter surfaced from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim, instructing PESCO not to carry out load shedding in Dera Ismail Khan during Eid, as he would be spending the holiday in his hometown. The five-day exemption from outages in that area sparked further criticism, particularly from residents in Nowshera, Swabi, and Mardan, who experienced persistent power cuts despite public assurances to the contrary. Many accused authorities of providing VIP treatment to their own constituencies while neglecting the rest. Former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser also chimed in, condemning the 20-hour-long load shedding in Swabi during Eid as an act of political vendetta. In a video message, he accused the federal government and PESCO of deliberately depriving citizens of electricity on a joyous occasion, calling it a grave injustice.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Switzerland to expand EU defense ties with new cyber-defense role
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Switzerland has received the European Union's approval to join a multinational military cybersecurity project, the EU's Council announced this week. The decision allows Switzerland to become part of the Estonian-led Cyber Ranges Federations project under the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) framework, marking a notable advance in Swiss–EU military cooperation. This comes despite Bern's famously longstanding policy of strict military neutrality. Switzerland had applied to join the project in October of last year, shortly after submitting an application for another joint project focused on military mobility. Two formalities remain before becoming a full project member: Estonia must invite Switzerland to the cooperation, and Bern needs a so-called administrative arrangement with the EU governing formalities such a data exchange and other parameters. The Swiss government welcomed this week's EU decision, saying that the country 'will take part in the European PESCO project.' Switzerland has beefed up its own cyber defense capabilities in recent years with its Swiss Cyber Training Range and a Cyber-Defence Campus. The EU's Cyber Ranges Federations initiative seeks to centralize capacity, pool unique services and automate processes across member states, reducing manual workload during exercises and accelerating the development of advanced cybersecurity technologies. Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Italy and Luxembourg are already members of the project, in addition to Estonia. Under PESCO's third-state participation rules established in 2020, non-EU countries may join individual projects if they share EU values and pose no threat to member states' security interests. The Council confirmed that Switzerland meets the required political, legal and substantive criteria and will bring 'substantial added value and mutual benefit' to the federation, it said in a press release. The Council retains oversight of third-state involvement and may adjust conditions should security considerations evolve, ensuring alignment with the EU's collective defense objectives. Swiss defense planners have balanced these new engagements with Bern's policy of armed neutrality, with federal officials calling cooperation in PESCO initiatives 'ad hoc collaboration on specific projects which are thematically in the interest of both parties and which do not create critical dependencies for neutrality.' Participation in the cyber project enables Switzerland to contribute – and benefit from – expertise and infrastructure without entangling the country too deeply in broader EU defense commitments, from Bern's point of view. The Swiss government said that 'participation will take place selectively and on a needs-oriented basis.' The latest project represents part of Switzerland's broader strategic approach to selective participation in PESCO projects that align with its defense interests while maintaining neutrality. It's not Switzerland's first brush with EU defense initiatives. In January, the government received the green light to join an EU-led military mobility project, which it applied for in September 2024. The Military Mobility project aims to simplify and standardize national cross-border military transport procedures, enabling swift movement of military personnel and assets throughout the EU via road, rail, sea, or air. Other non-EU countries, such as the UK, Northway, the USA and Canada are also part of this project. In addition to deepening engagement with the EU, Switzerland has also been a member of NATO's partnership for peace since the 1990s, as has its neutral eastern neighbor, Austria. Hardline neutrality defenders have long taken issue with Swiss engagement on military projects beyond its own borders. Their criticism received new urgency in the aftermath of Russia's attack on Ukraine in 2022. Last year, a civil movement garnered more 130,000 certified signatures to organize a national referendum on strengthening Switzerland's international neutrality. The referendum organizers specifically want to prevent what they see as a gradual erosion of Switzerland's traditional neutrality through strengthened international defense cooperation.
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CAT upholds CCP decision against PESCO
ISLAMABAD: The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) has upheld the decision of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) against Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) and directed it to restore the Right of Way (ROW) facility on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms for all service providers, including fiber optic and local internet/cable TV operators. Disposing of the appeal, the CAT further directed PESCO to formulate a new policy within 30 days. The CCP had initiated an enquiry after receiving formal complaints from Cyber Internet Services (Private) Limited and Nayatel (Private) Limited, alleging discriminatory practices in ROW charges. The investigation revealed that PESCO was charging Rs 100 per pole from internet service providers like Nayatel, while demanding only Rs 10 per pole from local cable TV operators. Following the issuance of a show-cause notice by CCP, PESCO's Board of Directors annulled its existing policy and decided to withdraw the ROW facility entirely for all service providers, including both cable TV and fiber optic operators. In its final order, the Commission found that PESCO had abused its dominant position, constituting a violation of Section 3 of the Competition Act, 2010. During proceedings before the CAT, CCP's counsel argued that PESCO's actions contravened the Public and Private Right of Way Policy Directives issued by the Government of Pakistan. The counsel further highlighted that, under the prevailing legal framework, licensed service providers are entitled to use poles owned by government-managed or private electricity distribution companies for aerial fiber optic installations—upon payment of government-determined rent. The CCP maintained that PESCO holds a dominant position in the ROW market within its service jurisdiction, as it solely owns and controls the electricity poles used for such installations, with no viable alternatives available to service providers. The Commission has reiterated its recommendation to all electricity distribution companies to develop a uniform and non-discriminatory policy for Right of Way and broadband deployment, addressing legitimate space, access, and safety concerns in the process. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PESCO chairman presents three-month action plan
PESHAWAR: Chairman PESCO Himayatullah Khan met with Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahab Ali Shah, to present a comprehensive three-month action plan aimed at resolving key challenges faced by electricity consumers in the province. He was accompanied by CEO PESCO Akhtar Hamid Khan and other senior officials. During the meeting, Chairman PESCO Himayatullah Khan laid out the strategic components of the plan, which focuses on minimizing load management during the summer months, accelerating recovery from provincial government departments, intensifying anti-theft operations to reduce losses, and implementing other operational improvements. Both Chairman PESCO and Chief Secretary KP agreed on the urgent need to minimize load management through the reduction of transmission and distribution (T&D) losses. The Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of creating a balanced load management plan to ensure fairness and efficiency in electricity distribution. PESCO chairman also voiced serious concerns about the security of PESCO grid stations, particularly during summer, citing incidents where protestors forcibly entered grid stations, disrupting the power supply. In response, the Chief Secretary assured full support from district administrations to safeguard PESCO infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted electricity flow. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
