فیچرڈ

A South Korean state-owned energy company has appealed directly to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, claiming that prolonged regulatory delays have placed its planned $1 billion investment in Pakistan’s hydropower sector at serious risk. In a letter addressed to the prime minister, Korea South-East Power Co. Ltd. (KOEN) said it had spent nearly a decade developing two run-of-the-river hydropower projects on the Swat River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but remains unable to move forward because of unresolved regulatory approvals. The company, a subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), is developing the 229-megawatt Asrit Kedam and 238-megawatt Kalam Asrit hydropower projects. Together, the projects represent an investment of approximately $1 billion, with the company already investing around $25 million in feasibility studies, surveys, and other preparatory work. According to KOEN, the projects have met all major government requirements since development began in 2016. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, obtained letters of intent from the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO), completed feasibility studies, secured a power generation licence from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), and maintained all required financial guarantees. Despite fulfilling these requirements, KOEN said the tariff determination for the projects has remained pending for nearly three years. The company noted that Nepra conducted a public hearing on its tariff petition in July 2023, but a final decision has yet to be issued. The company said it repeatedly approached Nepra and later appealed to the Nepra Appellate Tribunal, which directed the regulator to decide the tariff matter. However, KOEN claims that the tribunal’s order has still not been implemented. Adding to its concerns, the company said both hydropower projects have been excluded from the draft Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2025–35. KOEN warned that if the revised plan is approved without the projects, its proposed investment could remain stalled indefinitely. In its appeal, the company urged the prime minister to intervene and ensure a timely tariff determination while allowing the projects to continue under Pakistan’s Power Generation Policy 2015, the framework under which the investment was originally made. KOEN also stated that it understands Pakistan’s current surplus electricity generation and is willing to align the commercial operation of the projects with the country’s future energy requirements rather than adding unnecessary capacity. The issue comes as Pakistan and South Korea continue discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties through a proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Analysts say resolving regulatory bottlenecks will be crucial for maintaining investor confidence and attracting future foreign direct investment into Pakistan’s energy sector.

Around 175 foreign nationals who traveled to Canada to attend FIFA World Cup matches have filed applications for political asylum, according to immigration authorities. Canada hosted several FIFA World Cup matches in the cities of Toronto and Vancouver, for which the country issued thousands of temporary visas to international visitors. Many fans from different countries applied for tourist visas to watch the tournament, although a significant number of applications were rejected. After arriving in Canada, 175 visitors submitted asylum claims that will now be reviewed under the country’s refugee protection laws. Immigration officials have not disclosed how many of those seeking asylum were athletes or members of sports delegations. According to available information, 25 individuals from Ghana have filed asylum applications, while 15 applicants each from Egypt and Colombia have also requested protection in Canada. Officials have indicated that the number of applications could increase further. Canadian authorities had previously warned foreign visitors that obtaining a visa for FIFA World Cup travel does not provide a pathway to remain in the country beyond the permitted period or automatically qualify them for asylum. The asylum claims will undergo a legal assessment, during which Canadian immigration authorities will determine whether applicants meet the requirements for refugee protection under the country’s immigration system. The development has drawn attention as Canada continues to manage increased international travel and immigration applications linked to major global events.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has departed for Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic, to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The visit comes after the successful conclusion of his trip to Manila, where he expressed gratitude to the Philippine government and the ASEAN Regional Forum team for their hospitality and support during his stay. Ishaq Dar is leading Pakistan’s delegation at the two-day SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (SCO-CFM) meeting, which brings together foreign ministers from member countries to discuss key regional and international issues. Foreign ministers from SCO member states, including Pakistan, China, Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, are participating in the meeting. The SCO Council of Foreign Ministers is one of the organisation’s key forums and focuses on matters related to international relations, foreign policy coordination, and regional security cooperation. During his visit to Kyrgyzstan, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is also expected to meet the President of the Kyrgyz Republic. He will hold bilateral discussions with counterparts from other SCO member states on the sidelines of the meeting. The SCO gathering provides an important platform for member countries to exchange views on regional cooperation, security challenges, economic partnerships, and diplomatic relations.

District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his security guard were killed in an armed attack while traveling toward Mastung from Quetta, officials confirmed on Thursday. According to officials, Judge Kakar was traveling with Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Lashari when unidentified armed men targeted their vehicles near Wali Khan crossing. The attack resulted in the deaths of Judge Kakar and his guard, while Judge Lashari and another person sustained injuries. Balochistan Home Department officials said the injured victims were shifted to a hospital in Mastung for medical treatment. Authorities have launched an investigation into the attack and are collecting evidence from the crime scene. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti took notice of the incident and directed authorities to investigate all aspects of the attack. Officials said strict action would be taken if any negligence was found during security arrangements. The provincial government described the attack as a targeted assault against the judicial community. Officials said such incidents were aimed at creating fear and challenging the authority of state institutions. President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attack and expressed grief over the deaths of the judge and his guard. He said the sacrifices of those killed in such attacks would not go in vain and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to fighting terrorism. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the incident, saying such acts could not weaken the nation’s determination against terrorism. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice. The attack comes amid heightened security concerns in Balochistan, where several violent incidents have recently taken place. Just a day earlier, three people were killed and several others injured in an attack on a passenger bus in Mastung, while a bridge on the national highway was damaged in a separate incident. Security forces have intensified operations across the province following a rise in militant activities. Authorities say counterterrorism efforts are continuing to restore peace and prevent further attacks. The investigation into the killing of Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his guard remains ongoing, with security agencies working to identify and arrest those responsible.

China’s long-running copper mining project in Pakistan is facing growing operational challenges as repeated militant attacks in Balochistan disrupt supply routes connected to the mine. The Saindak copper and gold mine, located in Balochistan’s Chagai district, is considered one of China’s oldest mining investments in Pakistan and remains its only major copper interest in the country. Analysts say ongoing security issues have created difficulties for transporting materials and maintaining regular operations. The attacks along key routes have raised concerns about what some analysts describe as an “economic blockade,” potentially affecting the movement of supplies required for mining activities and the shipment of copper produced at the site. Copper is a strategically important commodity for China, which is the world’s largest consumer of the metal due to its extensive manufacturing, energy, and technology industries. Any disruption to supply sources can create concerns for industries dependent on stable copper availability. The Saindak project has long been viewed as an important symbol of Pakistan-China economic cooperation. The mine has contributed to Pakistan’s mineral sector while providing China with access to copper resources. However, security challenges in Balochistan have repeatedly affected development projects and infrastructure networks. The province has witnessed several militant attacks targeting government installations, security forces, and economic projects. Officials and security agencies have increased efforts to protect strategic assets and transportation routes, but continued instability remains a major challenge for investors operating in the region. Experts say maintaining security around mining operations is essential not only for the continuity of the Saindak project but also for attracting future foreign investment in Pakistan’s mineral resources. As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, the stability of resource-rich regions like Balochistan will remain a key factor in determining the future of mining cooperation between Pakistan and international partners.