Nepra approves 75 paisa per unit hike in electricity tariff under FCA

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Friday approved an increase of 75 paisa per unit in the electricity tariff under the fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for August 2026. According to the notification, the FCA will apply to all consumer categories, including K-Electric, except lifeline consumers, protected consumers, electric vehicle charging stations and prepaid electricity consumers who have opted for prepaid tariffs. The notification stated that the XWDISCOs and K-Electric would reflect the June fuel charges in the August billing cycle. Read: Power consumers may face Rs1.20 tariff hike “The adjustment would be shown separately in consumers’ bills based on units billed in the respective month to which the adjustment pertains,” it added. It further clarified that if any August 2026 bill had been issued before the notification, the adjustment could be applied in a subsequent month. The notification also directed the XWDISCOs and K-Electric to strictly comply with court orders notwithstanding the directive. Monthly fuel cost adjustments are routinely determined by Nepra to reflect fluctuations in fuel prices and changes in the electricity generation mix. Earlier, Nepra had conducted a public hearing to consider the fuel price adjustment. The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) had filed a petition seeking a Rs1.20 per unit increase. According to the CPPA managing director, 13.07 billion units of electricity were sold in June. The reference fuel cost was estimated at Rs7.71 per unit, while the actual cost rose to Rs8.91 per unit, mainly due to the high cost of imported LNG used for power generation.

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Thousands rally in Swat, demand lasting peace and end to unrest

A large protest demonstration against unrest and in support of sustainable peace was held under the auspices of Swat Awami Pasawon at Nishat Chowk in Mingora city of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Swat district on Friday. The protest came days after at least 15 people, including six police personnel, were martyred and several others were wounded in a suicide attack outside Kabal police station in Swat district on Sunday. Thousands of people from various schools of thought took part in the rally. Protesters carried placards, banners and black flags while the entire area echoed with the slogan, ‘We want peace on our own land.’ Participants demanded an end to insecurity in Swat, the establishment of lasting peace and firm protection for the public. Raising strong slogans against terrorism and disorder, they made clear that the people of Swat would no longer accept any form of unrest. Read: Suicide attack outside police station in Swat leaves 15 martyred, including six police personnel Addressing the gathering, Mukhtiar Yousafzai, Khurshid Kakaji, Ghairat Khan Yousafzai, journalist Fayaz Zafar, Sultan Ali Khan (Chairman, Tanzeem Samah Lar), Anwar Bacha Lala, Tahir Khan (Awami Workers Party), Fazal Ahad Lala Ji, Haris Bacha (President, PSF), Shahzad Khan (Shangla Awami Action Committee), Ajab Khan, Bahadur Sher Afghan and other speakers declared that no one would be allowed to sabotage Swat’s peace. They said an organised conspiracy was underway to create conditions for unrest in the valley, but the people of Swat were now fully awake and would not permit any force to disturb the region’s peace. Recalling past hardships, the speakers stressed that Swat’s residents would not allow their land to be engulfed once again by the fire of terrorism. They warned anti-peace elements that the people stood united to defeat their designs. Making Swat a cradle of peace is the shared goal of the public, they said, and every constitutional, democratic and peaceful means would be used to achieve it. The speakers also called on the government to take effective and practical steps to improve law and order, protect the lives and property of citizens, and permanently eliminate terrorism from Swat.

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SC upholds finality of settlements

The Supreme Court has ruled that no fresh financial claims can be raised after a final settlement has been reached, underscoring the sanctity of contracts and the need for commercial certainty in public-sector projects. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, and comprising Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, dismissed a petition seeking leave to appeal against a Peshawar High Court (PHC) judgment. Justice Irfan Saadat Khan authored the verdict. The case arose from the construction contract for the Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar, which was awarded on December 16, 1993. During the execution of the project, the company claimed additional payments, citing delays and shortages of funds. According to the judgment, the company later accepted a final payment of Rs88.555 million and signed a No Demand Certificate, expressly relinquishing any further financial claims arising out of the contract. Despite the settlement, the company subsequently approached the court seeking arbitration for additional claims. Both the trial court and the PHC dismissed the request, and the Supreme Court upheld those decisions by refusing leave to appeal. The apex court held that a party accepting final payment and voluntarily signing a No Demand Certificate could not subsequently raise additional financial claims or invoke arbitration unless it proved that the settlement had been obtained through fraud, coercion or undue influence. The judgment emphasised that the right to seek arbitration ceases once a final settlement has been reached, and that agreements entered into voluntarily remain binding and enforceable. The court further observed that maintaining the sanctity of contracts and ensuring commercial certainty are essential for public-sector development projects, warning that reopening settled claims without proof of fraud or coercion would undermine legal certainty and commercial stability.

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Govt reduces petrol price by Rs3.19, HSD by Rs1.50 for August 7

The federal government on Thursday reduced the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs3.19 and Rs1.50 per litre, respectively, for August 7. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum, the price of petrol has been fixed at Rs329.82 per litre, while HSD will now cost Rs382.36 per litre. The latest revision comes a day after the government increased petrol by Rs4.45 while decreasing HSD by Rs2 per litre for Aug 6. Read: Govt increases petrol price by Rs4.45, decreases HSD by Rs2 for August 6 On July 17, the government introduced a daily fuel price review mechanism amid volatility in global oil prices following renewed hostilities in the Middle East. The daily fuel prices are based on a seven-day average of international market rates to align with international standards. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, petroleum products constitute one of the country's largest import categories, making the economy highly vulnerable to changes in global crude oil prices. Domestic refineries satisfy only part of national demand, while the remainder is met through imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products. Consequently, every increase in international oil prices raises Pakistan's import bill, pressures foreign exchange reserves, and contributes to inflation. Pakistan previously exercised significant government control over petroleum pricing through subsidies and administrative interventions. While these measures temporarily protected consumers, they imposed substantial fiscal costs. During periods of elevated global oil prices, successive governments delayed passing price increases to consumers, creating financial pressures for oil marketing companies, refineries, and the national budget. Large fuel subsidies widened fiscal deficits, increased public borrowing, and weakened macroeconomic stability. Global geopolitical developments continue to pose significant risks. International oil prices are influenced by decisions taken by OPEC+, conflicts in the Middle East, sanctions on oil-producing nations, and disruptions in critical shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. Any interruption in these supply chains can immediately increase crude oil prices and freight costs. Since Pakistan imports the majority of its petroleum requirements, these developments quickly translate into higher domestic fuel prices.  Also Read: Proposed Hormuz deal would give Iran control of inbound traffic, sources say The revision came as oil prices rose by more than $3 a barrel on Thursday following reports that an Iranian parliamentary committee was reviewing a bill to ban US and Israeli vessels from the Strait of Hormuz and fine violators up to one-fifth of the value of their cargo.  Brent crude futures gained $3.09, or 3.89 per cent, to $82.54 a barrel by 12:37pm EDT, while US West Texas Intermediate futures rose $2.49, or 3.31pc, to $77.71.  "Crude traders remain focused on the US-Iran agreements, and the longer the delays, the more prices will move higher," said Dennis Kissler, senior vice-president of trading at BOK Financial.  Before the Iran conflict began in late February, about one-fifth of global daily oil and liquefied natural gas supplies flowed through the Strait of Hormuz.

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AJK observes Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir

Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday observed Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir to mark seven years since India revoked the special constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), with rallies, protest demonstrations and public gatherings held across the region. The main event was held in Muzaffarabad, where participants took out a protest rally and chanted slogans against India. Demonstrators also set an Indian flag on fire during the protest. Similar programmes, including rallies, protest gatherings and walks, were organised in Neelum, Jhelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli, Poonch, Sudhnoti, Kotli, Mirpur and Bhimber by political, religious and social organisations. The participants expressed solidarity with the people of IIOJK and condemned India's August 5, 2019, decision to revoke the region's special status. They called on the international community to play an effective role in securing the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people. Addressing the main gathering, the speakers said India's decision was an attempt to deprive the Kashmiri people of their political, constitutional and fundamental rights. READ: Youm-e-Istehsal: Civil, military leadership reaffirm support for Kashmiris in IIOJK, call for UN-backed resolution They maintained that India could not suppress the voice of the Kashmiri people through force and urged the international community to take notice of alleged human rights violations in IIOJK. The speakers also called for a resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Rallies and protest gatherings were also held in different parts of Neelum, Jhelum Valley, Bagh, Haveli, and Dhirkot. Political and social organisations organised rallies in Kotli and Mirpur, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) organised a programme followed by a rally in Bhimber. Addressing the PML-N event at the party's district secretariat in Bhimber, Chaudhry Zaheeruddin Babar, Chaudhry Jameel Sultan, Chaudhry Abrarul Haq Advocate, Chaudhry Umar Saeed and Bhimber Municipal Committee Chairman Chaudhry Altaf Ibrahim said the Kashmiri people's struggle would ultimately reach its logical conclusion. They urged the international community to take notice of what they described as Indian atrocities in IIOJK and play its role in enabling the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination. The event in Bhimber concluded with a rally through the city, with party workers participating on foot, motorcycles and vehicles. Participants chanted slogans including “Pakistan Zindabad”, “Kashmir Banega Pakistan”, “Azad Kashmir Zindabad” and “Pak Army Zindabad”. The programmes held across AJK reaffirmed AJK's political, moral and diplomatic support for the people of IIOJK and pledged to continue highlighting the Kashmir dispute at the international level. Meanwhile, PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir said the people of AJK stood firmly with their brethren in IIOJK and would continue to extend political, moral and diplomatic support to their just struggle. He added that India's August 5, 2019, decision had further exposed what he described as its policy of suppressing the political and fundamental rights of Kashmiris. He urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, to fulfil its responsibility towards resolving the Kashmir dispute and ensuring the IIOJK people's right to self-determination. He said the Kashmir issue could not be settled through force or unilateral measures.

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Police detain PTI workers after Karachi protest against 3 years of Imran's imprisonment

The police and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers clashed near the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Wednesday as the party staged a protest demanding the release of its founder, Imran Khan, on the third anniversary of his arrest. Authorities sealed key roads with shipping containers to prevent demonstrators from reaching the venue, triggering traffic disruptions and confrontations that ended with tear gas shelling and multiple arrests. Imran has remained in prison since August 2023 after his conviction in a corruption case and has since faced multiple convictions and prosecutions in other cases, including allegations relating to corruption, disclosure of official secrets and marriage laws. He and his party reject all allegations, maintaining that the cases are politically motivated and intended to keep him out of politics. Police blocked roads leading to the KPC and surrounding areas by placing containers at key intersections, causing severe traffic congestion and making access difficult for commuters as well as journalists. When PTI workers gathered near Fawara Chowk, police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and detained several protesters, including PTI Sindh Secretary General Dr Masroor Siyal. Tear gas also affected traders, shoppers and women in nearby Zainab Market and adjoining commercial areas. کیا پاکستان میں پُرامن احتجاج کرنا جرم ہے ؟ کراچی میں عمران خان صاحب کی گرفتاری کو تین سال مکمل ہونے کے خلاف یومِ سیاہ کے موقع پر پرامن احتجاج روکنے کے لیے پولیس گردی افسوسناک ہے شرم آنی چاہیے جمھوریت کا راگ الاپنے والی پیپلز پارٹی اور سندھ حکومت کو pic.twitter.com/qyyW6c11pV — Haleem Adil Sheikh (@HaleemAdil) August 5, 2026 Read: PTI stages nationwide protests to mark three years of Imran Khan's imprisonment The clashes and police action disrupted normal activity in the area, while traffic remained gridlocked on surrounding roads for several hours before authorities removed the containers and restored traffic following the end of the protest. According to a PTI statement, the party observed a nationwide "Black Day" on August 5 to mark three years since the arrest of its founder. The party said demonstrations were held across Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Umerkot, Mithi, Nangarparkar, Kunri, Khipro, Sanghar, Shahpur Chakar, Pano Aqil, Ghotki, Kandhkot, Kashmore, Larkana, Shahdadkot, Dadu, Sukkur, Rohri, Daharki, Badin, Tando Muhammad Khan, Kotri, Jamshoro, Jacobabad, Border Farm and several other towns across Sindh. The PTI said protesters demanded Imran's immediate release, restoration of constitutional rule, relief from inflation, the return of what it described as the public mandate and the restoration of democracy. The party said PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh, Karachi President Raja Azhar, Dr Siyal, Karachi Secretary General Arsalan Khalid and other leaders led workers towards the KPC before police blocked their route with containers. It alleged that police later used tear gas and baton charges against what it described as peaceful demonstrators on Zeb-un-Nisa Street and around Fawara Chowk, injuring several workers. The party claimed that more than 10 workers, including Dr Siyal, were arrested in Karachi, while six workers were detained in Pano Aqil and 15 in Kandhkot, where criminal cases were also registered against them. کراچی اپنے کپتان کے لیئے سڑکوں پر ! شدید پولیس گردی فسطائیت کے باوجود کپتان عمران خان کی ناحق قید کے خلاف ایک بار پھر کراچی کی عوام سڑکوں پر نکل آئی۔#KhanIllegallyJailed3Year pic.twitter.com/gTr3xwpqEQ — PTI (@PTIofficial) August 5, 2026 Addressing protesters, Sheikh said the turnout across Sindh demonstrated public support for Imran. He demanded the immediate release of all detained PTI workers and accused the Sindh government of suppressing constitutional rights. Sheikh further alleged that Imran's imprisonment three years ago had paved the way for governments formed on a "fake mandate", contributing to the country's political and economic challenges. He maintained that Pakistan could overcome its crises only through the release of political prisoners and the holding of free, fair and transparent elections. He also accused police of unlawfully sealing the KPC with containers, using force against peaceful protesters, including women, and violating citizens' constitutional right to peaceful assembly. The PTI said it had sought official permission for the demonstration and called for the release of all detained workers and the withdrawal of cases registered against them. کراچی آج پوری شدت کے ساتھ گونج اٹھا , جئے عمران، جئے عمران کے نعرے شہر کی فضا میں دھڑکن بن کر پھیل گئے۔ کپتان کے چاہنے والے بڑی تعداد میں سڑکوں پر نکل آئے، اپنے جذبے، عزم اور وفاداری کو بے خوف انداز میں ظاہر کرتے ہوئے۔ عوام کا یہ جوش اس حقیقت کی گواہی دیتا ہے کہ نظریے کی آواز… pic.twitter.com/nX5k5JStoZ — PTI (@PTIofficial) August 5, 2026 PTI protest snarls traffic across Karachi The protest triggered widespread traffic congestion across Karachi, leaving commuters stranded for hours as major arteries in the city's old quarters, including II Chundrigar Road, MA Jinnah Road, Saddar and adjoining areas, remained choked. Journeys that would normally take a few minutes stretched into hours. Traffic disruption was also reported from several other parts of the city, including Hasan Square, Gharibabad, Jamshed Road, Metroville, Nazimabad and other areas, adding to the ordeal of office-goers and other commuters returning home. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took immediate notice of severe traffic congestion in several parts of Karachi and directed the police authorities to restore traffic flow without delay. A view of traffic congestion near Karachi's Zainab Market after police sealed roads during a PTI protest on Wednesday. Photo: Express According to a statement, the chief minister instructed the inspector general of police and the additional inspector general of Karachi to ensure the immediate restoration of traffic. He directed authorities to clear traffic from Saddar, the Old City Area, MA Jinnah Road and Zainab Market on a priority basis. Murad also ordered the deployment of additional traffic police personnel on roads and sought a report on the measures taken. "We must ensure the uninterrupted flow of traffic on the city's roads under all circumstances," Murad was quoted as saying.

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Schools in Sindh to open five days a week as govt reverses earlier step

The Sindh government on Wednesday approved a two-day weekend for all public and private schools across the province, with Saturday and Sunday to be observed as weekly holidays. The decision was approved by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah as part of the provincial government's austerity measures and efforts to ensure more efficient use of available resources. Under the revised schedule, schools will operate from Monday to Friday, with daily teaching hours extended by one hour to compensate for the additional weekly holiday and ensure that academic activities continue effectively. The move marks a shift from the earlier stance of Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah, who had stated that all government schools in the province would continue academic activities six days a week. -کالج ایجوکیشن سندھ- 📣 سندھ کے کالجوں میں ہفتے کے روز تعطیل کا فیصلہ، نوٹفکیشن جاری pic.twitter.com/ld3vYbXyfl — Minister Education & Literacy Government of Sindh (@MinisterEduGos) August 5, 2026 READ: Sindh announces six-day school week from August 1 The new schedule will apply to both government and private educational institutions across Sindh. Previously, the Sindh government announced that all public and private educational institutions in the province would operate six days a week after reopening on August 1 following the end of summer vacations. The decision came as schools reopened after a two-month summer break. 

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