ISLAMABAD: Electricity consumers across Pakistan may face higher power bills from next month as electricity distribution companies have approached the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) seeking a quarterly tariff adjustment. According to sources, the proposed adjustment could result in an increase of around Rs1 per unit in electricity prices during the upcoming quarter. The distribution companies have submitted their adjustment request to NEPRA, which will examine the figures and determine the impact on consumers under the applicable quarterly tariff mechanism. Sources said the expected increase is linked to the expiry of the existing quarterly adjustment relief. Under the current arrangement, consumers are receiving a relief of Rs1.99 per unit, which is scheduled to expire at the end of the current month. With the relief ending, electricity tariffs are expected to rise for consumers across the country from next month, subject to NEPRA’s approval of the proposed adjustment. The quarterly tariff adjustment mechanism is used to pass on changes in electricity generation costs and other relevant expenses to consumers. Depending on the regulator’s assessment, the resulting adjustment can either increase or reduce electricity bills. The proposed increase is likely to add to the financial burden on households and businesses already facing elevated electricity costs. Consumers are now awaiting NEPRA’s decision, which will determine the final impact on electricity tariffs in the upcoming quarter. NEPRA is expected to review the distribution companies’ submissions before announcing its decision. The final adjustment may differ from the amount initially sought by the power distribution companies following the regulator’s scrutiny of the data and applicable costs.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Malaysia have agreed to deepen cooperation in security and law enforcement, with particular emphasis on intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, human smuggling and other transnational crimes. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in Islamabad on Saturday. The two sides reviewed a range of issues related to bilateral security cooperation and agreed to strengthen institutional coordination between the relevant agencies of both countries. During the meeting, the ministers discussed ways to develop more effective mechanisms for exchanging intelligence and coordinating efforts against terrorist networks, narcotics trafficking and human trafficking. They also agreed to enhance cooperation aimed at preventing illegal immigration and tackling cybercrime, which has emerged as a growing challenge for law enforcement agencies worldwide. The two countries also discussed expanding collaboration in the fields of coast guard operations and professional training. Pakistan expressed interest in learning from Malaysia’s experience in strengthening maritime security and developing the capabilities of its coast guard institutions. A key outcome of the meeting was an agreement to improve cooperation between Pakistan’s National Police Academy and the Royal Malaysia Police College. The initiative is expected to facilitate the exchange of expertise, training programmes and professional experiences between law enforcement personnel from the two countries. The ministers also agreed that a high-level Pakistani delegation would visit Malaysia in the near future. The proposed visit is expected to provide an opportunity to advance discussions on bilateral security cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration between the two countries. Naqvi said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Malaysia and was keen to further expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest. He said Malaysia’s experience in the Coast Guard sector could provide valuable lessons for Pakistan and expressed confidence that the Malaysian minister’s visit would help take bilateral relations to a new level. The interior minister also highlighted the potential for increasing people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Malaysia. He described Malaysia as one of the rapidly developing Muslim-majority countries and an attractive destination for Pakistani tourists. Naqvi stressed the importance of facilitating legitimate travel between the two countries, saying that an increase in employment opportunities and work quotas for Pakistanis in Malaysia could encourage more people to use legal channels for travelling and working abroad. Tourism promotion and the facilitation of visa procedures also formed part of the discussions. Both sides emphasized the need to make travel easier while ensuring that immigration systems remain secure and effective. The meeting comes as Pakistan and Malaysia seek to broaden cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic and economic ties, particularly in dealing with security challenges that increasingly cross national borders. Officials from Pakistan’s Interior Ministry and law enforcement institutions also attended the meeting. Participants included State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the Interior Secretary, Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Inspector General of the Federal Constabulary (FC), the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), and other senior officials. The two countries are expected to continue consultations through their respective institutions, with the planned Pakistani delegation’s visit to Malaysia likely to provide further momentum to cooperation in counter-terrorism, law enforcement, immigration and maritime security.