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Senate Sub-Committee Reviews Governance, Board Appointments and Energy Sector Challenges

Islamabad: A meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum was held at Parliament Lodges under the convenership of Senator Manzoor Ahmad Kakar. The meeting was attended by Committee Member Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan, the Special Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, and other senior officials.

The Sub-Committee undertook a detailed review of the legal and regulatory framework governing board appointments, with the objective of identifying governance gaps and formulating effective corrective recommendations. The Committee examined the composition and appointment procedures of boards of various public and semi-public entities, including Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Saindak Metals Limited, Pakistan LNG Limited, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC), Pakistan State Oil Company Limited (PSO), Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL), Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited (ISGS), Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), and Pak-Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO).

During the briefing, the Special Secretary of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) informed the Committee that seven candidates had been shortlisted for the Board of Pakistan Petroleum Limited from a larger pool of nominees. Senator Manzoor Ahmad Kakar highlighted concerns that some shortlisted individuals had previously been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL), while others were serving on multiple boards and had audit objections against them. He emphasized that appointments must strictly adhere to merit to ensure that competent and honest individuals serve in key positions.

The Special Secretary further informed that one officer had been removed from the shortlist following an internal inquiry. It was also clarified that prior to the enforcement of the Companies Act, appointments of Managing Directors (MDs) and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) were made by the government; however, this authority now rests with the respective Boards of Directors, in accordance with the prevailing legal framework.

The Sub-Committee unanimously recommended amendments to the relevant provisions of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Act, 2023, to restore the authority for the appointment of MDs and CEOs to the Federal Government, in line with Articles 90, 91, and 99 of the Constitution, while retaining the advisory role of the Boards of Directors. The Committee also recommended the establishment of a transparent and structured performance evaluation mechanism, ensuring effective involvement of the concerned Ministry or Division to maintain accountability, oversight, and alignment with national policy.

The Committee was also briefed on the current petroleum supply situation in the country. The Special Secretary stated that approximately 90 percent of Pakistan’s petroleum supplies are imported from Gulf countries via the Strait of Hormuz, with shipments typically reaching Pakistan within eight days. In case of any disruption in the Strait, alternative routes would need to be considered. It was further noted that around 60 percent of India’s, 45 percent of China’s, and 80–90 percent of Japan’s oil supplies also pass through the same route. Pakistan currently maintains petroleum reserves sufficient for approximately one month, and oil consumption has increased compared to last year.

Regarding the gas sector, the Committee was informed that imported gas from Qatar remains available; however, due to recent attacks on two major refineries there, full restoration of supply may take some time. The Committee was also apprised that exploration activities for oil and gas are ongoing, with significant gas reserves recently discovered in the Tal Block.
On LPG, it was highlighted that approximately 50 percent is imported from Iran, 15 percent from other countries, while the remainder is met through local production. It was also noted that LPG is typically the first product obtained when new oil reserves are dis

Concluding the meeting, Senator Manzoor Ahmad Kakar stressed the need to ensure transparency, merit, and an effective oversight mechanism to promote responsible and efficient utilization of national resources.

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Water supply in parts of Karachi to remain suspended for two days: KWSC

KARACHI: The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) on Friday announced that water supply in parts of the port city would remain suspended for two days starting Saturday due to work at the Dhabeji Pumping Station.

In a statement, a KWSC spokesperson said the supply would be temporarily suspended to connect a newly constructed line with the existing network at the Dhabeji Pumping Station.

As per the new schedule issued by the water distribution body, nine of the pumps at the station will remain shut for 48 hours, the spokesperson added.

Work at the pumping station will begin at 12 noon on April 25, the official said, adding that seven out of nine pumps will resume operations on April 27.

The remaining two pumps will be shut for another five days, the official added.

The spokesperson said that water supply to parts of Karachi would remain temporarily suspended during the period due to disruption from K2 and K3.

Water supply in North Karachi, Surjani, Scheme 33, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Saddar, Landhi, Korangi and Chanesar Town would remain suspended for 48 hours, the spokesperson added.

Hydrants in Nipa, Safoora and Sakhi Hassan will also remain closed due to maintenance, the spokesperson added.

Due to the closure, the city will face a shortage of about 250 million gallons of water per day, the official said, adding that Karachi is supplied with around 650 million gallons daily.

KWSC urged residents of the affected areas to use water efficiently during the work, the spokesperson added.

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Islamabad police issue updated traffic plan ahead of potential US-Iran talks

Islamabad: Traffic Police (ITP) has issued a special traffic plan for the federal capital, with complete closure of the Red Zone and extended Red Zone, along with suspension of traffic on Islamabad Expressway from Korral to Zero Point.

According to the advisory, traffic on the Srinagar Highway may also be stopped at different times due to security arrangements.

The advisory comes amid Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s expected arrival in Islamabad on Friday night, without providing details about who he was likely to meet.

Iranian state media reported that Araghchi will depart on Friday (today) for a tri-nation tour that includes visits to Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow.

“The purpose of this visit is to hold bilateral consultations and discuss current developments in the region, as well as the latest situation in the war imposed by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran,” the state news agency IRNA said.

Meanwhile, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will head to Pakistan on Saturday for a new round of talks with Iran on ending the war, the White House said.

“I can confirm Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be off to Pakistan again tomorrow morning to engage in talks,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Friday.

Leavitt said that Vance remained ready to fly to Pakistan but will not for now. “Everyone will be on standby to fly to Pakistan if necessary,” she said.

Islamabad has been gearing up for an anticipated second round of talks between the United States and Iran. The talks would come more than two weeks after Vice President JD Vance held the first round of talks with Iranian representatives in Pakistan.

During the first round of talks in Pakistan, Vance said that Iran refused US demands on constraints on its contested nuclear programme.

In its advisory issued today, ICT Police said that entry of all types of heavy traffic into Islamabad will remain banned, while transporters have been advised to avoid travelling towards the capital.

Residents of G-5, G-6, G-7, F-6 and F-7 can use Margalla Road and 9th Avenue for travel to and from Rawalpindi. Traffic from Faisal Avenue towards Zero Point will be diverted to 9th Avenue.

In case of closure between Zero Point and Korral Chowk, commuters can use Srinagar Highway to 9th Avenue, then Stadium Road, Murree Road (Chandni Chowk) and Rawal Road to reach Korral.

Traffic from Park Road towards Club Road will be diverted to Tramri Chowk.

Commuters travelling from Bhara Kahu to Rawalpindi are advised to use Korang Road, Bani Gala and Lehtrar Road.

Traffic from Rawalpindi Saddar to Islamabad can use Colonel Sher Khan Road via Faqir Aipee Road or 9th Avenue.

Heavy traffic from Peshawar to Lahore will be diverted via Taxila Motorway, Chakri Interchange, Chak Beli Road and Rawat GT Road.

Similarly, heavy traffic from Lahore to Peshawar will use Rawat GT Road, Chak Beli Road, Chakri Interchange and Taxila via the motorway. The traffic plan will come into force from Saturday.

Citizens have been advised to follow alternate routes and cooperate with the traffic police.

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Pakistan urges UNSC to push India to restore Indus Waters Treaty a year after its suspension

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) to address India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning of “grave” security, environmental, and humanitarian risks for 240 million people.

A letter from Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, addressed to Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei of Bahrain, which hold the 15-member Council’s presidency for the month of April, draws attention to India’s “illegal” decision to hold the IWT in abeyance one year after its suspension amid heightened political tensions with Pakistan.

The letter was handed over to the Security Council President by the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday, according to a press release issued by the Pakistani Mission.

DPM/FM Dar urged the Security Council to take cognizance of the alarming situation and call on India to restore the full implementation of IWT, resume all Treaty-mandated cooperation and data-sharing without delay, desist from any form of water coercion, and comply fully with its international obligations in good faith.

In this regard, Ambassador Asim Ahmad also briefed the Security Council president on the “regurgitation of baseless allegations and propaganda by India at a time when Pakistan is engaged in serious mediation efforts to promote regional and international peace and security.”

The Pakistani envoy also underscored that the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute – a longstanding item on the Security Council’s agenda – was the root cause of instability in South Asia that necessitated a just and lasting settlement in accordance with relevant Council’s resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The 66-year-old treaty governs the distribution of waters from the Indus river system, allocating the western rivers, Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, primarily to Pakistan, which depends on them for most of its agriculture. The agreement has long been seen as one of the most durable arrangements between the two countries, surviving wars and decades of hostility.

However, India announced on Apr. 23, 2025 it was holding the treaty in abeyance. The move came as India, without producing any evidence, accused Pakistan of being behind a militant attack in Indian-Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan categorically denied any involvement it in the attack, which led to a brief but intense military conflict between the two countries in May 2025.