Pakistan’s Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, one of the country’s largest energy infrastructure investments, is expected to remain out of operation until at least March 2028, extending its shutdown to nearly four years following major tunnel damage. Read More: Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Project – The update was shared during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources, […]
Senate Committee
Senate panel voices concern over fixed taxes in electricity bills
Concerns over fixed taxes and charges imposed through electricity bills were raised during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, with lawmakers calling for relief for consumers facing rising utility costs. The committee met under the chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, where member Senator Kamil Ali Agha proposed the abolition of fixed charges […]
Senate panel raises alarm over sharp rise in medicine prices
A Senate standing committee on health has raised concerns over a significant increase in medicine prices in Pakistan, revealing that the cost of various drugs has risen by up to 100% over the past two years. Read More: Senators demand capping of medical test prices at private labs During a recent committee meeting, lawmakers strongly criticised the continued rise in […]
Senate panel cancels N-45 bids orders fresh tender process
The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has cancelled the bidding process for the Rs26 billion N-45 highway project, citing serious irregularities and lack of transparency in procurement procedures. The committee, chaired by Saifullah Abro, directed the National Highway Authority to initiate a fresh tender within 30 days under stricter compliance standards. The decision followed […]
Senate panel backs bill for 33pc women representation
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Education has approved a bill aimed at ensuring 33 per cent representation of women across federal boards, statutory bodies, public sector organisations and affiliated committees, marking a significant step toward gender inclusivity in governance. Read More: Islamabad on high alert amid foreign delegations’ arrival The meeting, chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, […]
Senate Standing Committee voids PIFD meeting over rule violations
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training has declared a recent meeting of the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) null and void, terming it unlawful, malicious in intent and held without the mandatory approval of the President. Read More: Senate body deliberates on population, reproductive health bill The decision was […]
Senate committee faces deadlock over crypto regulation bill
A major controversy has emerged in Pakistan’s Senate cabinet committee as no government ministry has stepped forward to take ownership of the proposed Virtual Assets Ordinance, aimed at regulating cryptocurrency and digital assets. The bill seeks to address the sector’s long-standing legal vacuum. Under the draft ordinance, all cryptocurrency exchanges and virtual asset service providers […]
Privatisation Commission seeks experts to speed up sell-offs
ISLAMABAD: Following the successful privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the Privatisation Commission has proposed hiring market-based experts to strengthen its institutional capacity and accelerate the government’s privatisation agenda over the next year. Read More: Open bidding for PIA privatisation today The proposal was shared during a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Privatisation on Friday, […]
Rehman calls for apology after Senate committee clash
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and Senator Sherry Rehman has demanded an apology from Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan following a heated exchange with Senator Palwasha Khan during a Senate committee meeting. She said the conduct displayed by the minister was unacceptable and should not be normalised in parliamentary proceedings. Read More: Senate […]
Senate committee raises concerns over Sindh project delays
The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives on Thursday expressed serious concern over delays, cost overruns, and poor coordination between federal and provincial authorities on major infrastructure projects in Sindh. The projects under review included the Karachi bulk water supply K-IV scheme, the ML-1 railway upgrade, and key motorway initiatives. Read More: […]