ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Railways on Friday unanimously passed the draft of the ‘Transfer of Railways Amendment Bill, 2025’, aimed at attracting investment through track access.

Railways Minister Muhammad Hanif Abbasi briefed the committee on the rationale behind the initiative, saying that it would benefit the Reko Diq mining project by improving logistics.

The committee, headed by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, was told that provincial governments were also interested in investing in Pakistan Railways, and these amendments would enable them to contribute to the railway infrastructure.

Move to attract investment through track access, benefit Reko Diq project

The amended bill provides track access for operating rolling stock on the Pakistan Railways network to improve efficiency, facilitate competition, boost revenue, strengthen safety planning, and support investment in freight and passenger services using operators’ own locomotives and rolling stock.

Proposed railway board

Senator Rubina Khalid pointed out the absence of the minister, as a public representative, from the proposed railway board.

The committee chairman asked the railways minister to address the issue at the earliest. He directed the inclusion of the federal railways minister on the board to ensure stronger oversight and accountability.

The committee also proposed several measures for improvement within Pakistan Railways, and advised the ministry to approach the chambers of commerce to attract investment and expand public-private partnerships.

The chairman directed the ministry to extend the ongoing improvements, such as the installation of LEDs at major stations to smaller ones as well.

He also instructed the ministry to step up public awareness efforts on safety near railway tracks.

The committee reviewed an issue raised by Senator Shahadat Awan, who voiced concern about the possible impact on serving employees. The panel urged the minister to safeguard the interests of the serving staff.

The chairman directed the ministry to present a comprehensive briefing at the next meeting on outsourcing in railways, new hiring, its effects on the serving employees, manpower planning, budget implications, and revenue trends before and after outsourcing.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2025

Source link

ISLAMABAD: The prices of all petroleum products are estimated to go down by up to Rs12 per litre on Monday for the next fortnight ending Dec 31 in view of variation in the international market.

Based on existing tax rates, the informed sources said the ex-depot price of high speed diesel (HSD) has been estimated to drop by about Rs11.80 per litre (over 4pc) depending on final calculations, while petrol rate may be kept unchanged as the estimated reduction was less than a rupee per litre.

The government may also build about Rs1.28 per litre additional cost to the prices to accommodate 61 paise and 67 paise per litre higher margins to oil companies and their dealers, respectively, as approved earlier this week by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet.

The ex-depot prices of kerosene and light diesel oil (LDO) are also estimated to reduce by Rs11.50 (6pc) and Rs10 per litre (6pc), respectively. The kerosene and LDO rates currently stand at Rs192.86 and Rs173.77 per litre, respectively.

The ex-depot petrol price currently stands at Rs263.45 per litre. Petrol is mostly used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws and two-wheelers and has a direct bearing on the budget of middle- and lower-middle class. The ex-depot price of HSD stands at Rs279.65 per litre which may drop to Rs268 per litre on Dec 15.

Most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains and agricultural engines like trucks, buses, tractors, tube-wells and threshers and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables.

Transporters had already increased their fares on the basis of about Rs27 per litre increase between May and August and have not reversed despite Rs9 per litre cut. The government is currently charging about Rs100 per litre on petrol and about Rs96 per litre on diesel.

Although, general sales tax (GST) is zero on all the petroleum products, yet the government is charging Rs78 per litre on diesel and Rs82 per litre on petrol and high octane products on account of petrol levy and climate support levy. This also includes Rs2.50 per litre climate support levy (CSL)

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2025

Source link

• ADB okays $540m for two Sindh projects
• WB commits $400m for Punjab’s schemes

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank on Friday approved a total of $940 million to Pakistan for reforms in the state-owned entities (SOEs), water sector and safely managed water, sanitation and basic hygiene services.

Of the total, the Manila-based ADB will be providing about $540m in loan and grant while the Washington-based World Bank will be extending $400m.

The ADB said its board of directors approved two projects totalling $540m to accelerate SOE reforms in Pakistan and enhance disaster resilience in the coastal districts of Sindh. The financing comprises a $400m results-based loan for National Highway Authority (NHA) under the Accelerating SOE Transformation Programme and $140m concessional loan for Sindh Coastal Resilience Sector Project.

“The SOE reform programme for Pakistan seeks to improve governance and optimise the performance of Pakistan’s commercial SOEs, which are vital for the country’s economic stability and development,” said ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan.

“The programme will also prioritise restructuring and commercialisation of the NHA, one of the largest and most complex entities within Pakistan’s SOE portfolio.” The programme is ADB’s first results-based loan exclusively dedicated to public sector management reform. The bank has been a long-standing partner in supporting Pakistan’s SOE reforms through sector investments, policy operations, and technical assistance.

Substantial progress has been achieved over the past five years with ADB’s support, including the enactment of the SOE Act and SOE Policy in 2023, the establishment of a central monitoring unit, and the introduction of public service obligation agreements aligned with international best practices.

The results-based approach is aimed to facilitate improved corporate governance and drive advancements in institutional capacity, digitalisation, road safety, and financial sustainability. ADB has also approved a complementary technical assistance grant of $750,000 to provide expertise and capacity-building support, ensuring effective implementation of reforms.

The Sindh Coastal Resilience Sector Project aims to strengthen disaster resilience in the vulnerable and underserved districts of Badin, Sujawal, and Thatta.

The project is expected to improve the lives of over 500,000 people, safeguard 150,000 hectares of agricultural land, and restore 22,000 hectares of forest in Pakistan. These outcomes align with Pakistan’s National Flood Protection Plan IV, Sindh Climate Change Policy, and ADB’s Strategy 2030 priorities on environment and resilience.

The project will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance biodiversity, and improve food security, supporting ADB’s ambition to mobilise $40bn for food systems transformation by 2030. The project is co-financed by a $20m grant and a $20m concessional loan from the Green Climate Fund through the Community Resilience Partnership Programme Investment Fund, administered by ADB for the region.

“The coastal communities in Sindh are increasingly vulnerable to severe natural hazards, including flooding, saltwater intrusion, and water scarcity. This project will protect livelihoods, strengthen food security, and empower women to play a central role in resilience planning and implementation,” said Ms Fan.

The project, implemented by the Sindh Irrigation Department and the Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department, will integrate resilient water resources infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and improved coastal management. Key investments include upgrading drainage and flood protection systems, restoring mangrove and inland forests, and strengthening monitoring and modeling capacity to support future resilience investments.

Water, sanitation services

Separately, the World Bank said its board of executive directors approved $400m in financing for a new project that will provide safely managed water, sanitation and basic hygiene services, and help improve the institutional and financial performance of local urban administration in Punjab province.

The Punjab Inclusive Cities Programme will support the improvement and rehabilitation of water supply networks, sewerage systems, and wastewater treatment plants, provide storm water drainage, and enhance the capacity of local governments to sustainably deliver services and increase revenues in 16 secondary cities in Punjab. The programme will also support the improved performance of solid waste management systems in Punjab, including for sanitary disposal of waste.

It aims to deliver improved water, sanitation, hygiene and drainage services to approximately 4.5m people and improved solid waste management services to an additional 2m people. The programme will help reduce healthcare costs by lowering waterborne disease, lower child stunting rates, and strengthen the capacity of urban local governments to deliver sustainable services.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2025

Source link