Gwadar Free Zone Set to Launch Exports

Gwadar Free Zone (GFZ) is set to begin the sustainable port operation and advancing its role in the international market. Gwadar Free Zone set to launch with first exports shipment of Potassium Sulphate for M/s Agven Private Limited. The committee approval is an exemption for M/s Agven Private Limited. This approval is as a groundbreaking change, as it will not only kickstart exports from the GFZ but also encourage other businesses to invest in the zone. M/s Agven Private Limited operating in the Gwadar North Free Zone, to export up to 10,000 tons of potassium sulphate fertilizer annually or 50% of its actual production, whichever is lower, until December 2025. Agven Pvt Limited, estimates that exports from their plant will reach around $7 million in 2025. With increased export approval and plant expansions, the potential for exports to grow to around $80 million within the next 2-3 years. The vital role of SIFC in facilitating the exemption from the Export Policy Order for GFZ and fostering export-oriented businesses in Gwadar.

Gas and Condensate Production from Shewa – Waziristan Block, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Marking a step in improving Pakistan’s energy security and contributing to the socio-economic development of the country, Mari Energies Limited has started gas and condensate production at 26 MMSCFD and 244 BBLs/D from Shewa discovery located in the Waziristan Block, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This breakthrough follows the completion of the gas transmission pipeline by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and is part of the Extended well-testing phase. Waziristan Block is a joint venture of Mari Energies, Orient Petroleum Inc. and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) with holding 55 %, 10% and 35 % working interests, respectively.

Gas Discover in Rafat-1 well – Kirthar Block Sindh

Kirthar Joint Venture discovered natural gas from its Rafat – 1 exploratory well in the Kirthar Block, located in District Dadu, Sindh. To test the hydrocarbon potential of Pab Formation from exploration well Rafat-1, it was spud-in on September 2024, and well TD 2514m (Measured Depth) was achieved in December 2024. The Rafat-1 discovery is considered a comparatively minor discovery and is producing natural gas at a rate of 1.10 MMScfd on a 48/64″ choke, with a flowing wellhead pressure of ~110 psi, after conducting hydraulic fracturing to enhance productivity, due to the extremely tight nature of reservoir. The Rafat-1 is joint venture of Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and its partner, Polish Oil and Gas Company (POGC), with a working interest 30% and 70% respectively.

Discovered Antimony Deposits – Balochistan

A deposit of highly strategic and valuable mineral antimony, has been discovered in Balochistan. The two exploration blocks where the antimony deposits have been identified one in Killa Abdullah and another in Zhob. Regarding antimony exploration in Balochistan Oil and Gas Development Company Limited and the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation have formulated a comprehensive plan to explore and commercialize the resource. To determine the exact size and depth of the deposits the OGDCL and PMDC plan to conduct remote sensing and geological surveys. Pakistan’s lack of mineral processing facilities, and human resource constraints in the mining sector OGDCL is committed to providing financial resources and geologists. The OGDCL is engaged in developing skilled workforce for the mining industry with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and other technical boards. Unified regulatory framework for the minerals sector is being planned by government, which will be presented at the Pakistan minerals Investment Forum 2025 to foreign investors and international delegates.

OGDC Confirms $627mn Investment in Reko Diq

Oil and Gas Development Company Limited has announced the completion of the feasibility study for the Reko Diq Project, confirming its investment of $627 million as part of the project’s overall capital expenditure of $5.6 billion. Reko Diq Project will be developed with its copper and gold reserves, is expected to yield 13.1 million tons of copper and 17.9 million ounces of gold over its 37-year life, which is set to begin in 2028. Reko Diq Project will be developed in two phases, a capital investment of $3 billion to be financed through a limited-recourse project financing facility involved in Phase 1, while the rest will be funded through shareholder contributions. The company’s share in the project is 8.33%, part of a collective 25% held by three Pakistani state-owned enterprises, with the remaining 25% of the project held by the Government of Balochistan and 50% by Barrick Gold Corporation, the project’s operator.

EU-Pakistan Business Forum

The EU-Pakistan Business Forum, scheduled for May 14-15 in Islamabad. The launch of the inaugural EU-Pakistan Business Forum will lead Pakistan and the European Union to forge stronger economic ties. The EU, known as the world’s largest single market and leading foreign investor worldwide is the biggest destination for Pakistani exports, stands as a key global economic partner. Throughout the two-day event, besides dedicated business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings, engaging discussions, enthusiastic exhibitions, the forum will spotlight Pakistan’s innovative sectors such as agribusiness, energy and renewables, green logistics, pharmaceuticals, IT, and textiles. The launch of the EU-Pakistan Business Network with the EU Pakistan Business Forum which will group together the 300+ European companies active in Pakistan. It will also focus on encouraged dialogue to improve regulatory frameworks and promote sustainable trade practices between the government and the private sector.

Pakistan’s First EV Charging Station Launched

The launch of the fast-charging station towards reducing carbon emissions and accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Pakistan the government remains committed to supporting green energy projects that offer long-term environmental and economic benefits. Pakistan’s first-ever 120KW fast-charging station, developed by GoGreen Avenue, has been inaugurated. New initiative objectives to cut carbon emissions and lift green mobility in Pakistan. The government emphasized on ongoing commitment in promoting clean energy and green mobility. A major policy shift in reducing EV charging costs, bringing rates down to Rs39 per unit from Rs71 making EVs more affordable and encourage extensive adoption among consumers. Highlighting partnership between the public and private sectors that made this initiative possible, private sector investments play pivotal role in advancing Pakistan’s sustainability objectives.

Preserving Blue Gold of the Third Pole – World Water Day 2025

Earth’s land area is covered by glaciers or ice sheets, around 10% and has about 198000 glaciers covering area of about 726,000 km2, in third pole (HKH) more than 46000 glaciers found covering an area of 100,000 km2, and in Pakistan more than 7000 known glaciers found covering an area of about 15000 km2. Hindu Kush-Himalayan region refers to the term "Third Pole", which embraces the major concentration of glacial ice outside the North and South Poles and is a critical water source in Asia. HKH known as Asia's "Water Tower" and provides freshwater to 10 of Asia's greatest rivers. Amidst the Global warming extensive shrinking of the cryosphere has taken place, with mass loss from ice sheets and glaciers, reductions in snow cover increased permafrost temperature over the last decades. The critical freshwater resources are rapidly melting, posing threats to the water cycle and the future, amidst the impact of climate change. The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment highlights the potential loss of more than two-thirds of Himalayan glaciers could vanish by the end of this century. Extremely low snowfall combined with extremely high summer temperatures likely contributed to loss in many of these regions, causing growing concern for South Asia water supplies. Owing to climate change and increasing temperatures, glaciers in Pakistan’s northern mountain ranges are melting rapidly and a total of 3,044 glacial lakes have established in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), of these glacial lakes, 33 glacial lakes have been evaluated to be susceptible to hazardous glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF). Over 7.1 million people in GB and KP are susceptible; in these areas, 26.7 percent and 22 percent of the population, respectively. GLOF are unexpected events which can release millions of cubic meters of water and debris, leading to the numerous casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure. UN resolution on declaring a year 2025 - an International Year of Glaciers' preservation, offers an opportunity to raise awareness and address the escalating challenges posed by the uncontrolled carbon emission, global climate change and water crisis worldwide.