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Japan ramps up tech ambitions with $65bn for AI, chips

Japan is readying a $65-billion push in microchips and artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at reclaiming its status as a global tech leader and meeting the urgent challenges of its ageing, shrinking population. The 10-trillion-yen package, which lawmakers could approve this week, is also seen as preparation for an uncertain world as fears grow of a potential Chinese invasion of chip powerhouse T

Nepra estimates Rs1.6 fall in average tariff

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday claimed that the average national power tariff would be cheaper by Rs1.6 per unit in the next two months compared to the first quarter of the year ending September due to quarterly adjustments. Nepra’s case officers told a public hearing presided over by regulator’s Chairman Waseem Mukhtar that Discos had sought an additional

Fresh policy to transition 30pc vehicles to electric by 2030

Amid reservations from key stakeholders, the government on Wednesday announced the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) policy aimed at transitioning 30 per cent of all new vehicles — imported and locally manufactured — in Pakistan to electric power by 2030. Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain unveiled the measures at a news conference, claiming that all stakeholders had been consul

Call for Pakistan Steel Mills’ speedy revival

Syed Hafeezuddin, Chairman of the National Asse­mbly’s Standing Comm­ittee on Industries and Production, has directed the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) management to expedite its revival to prevent further losses. In a visit to the PSM on Wednesday, he took serious notice of the non-payment of dues to retired and retrenched employees, the disconnection of gas supply, electric tariff, water supply

Production, export of petroleum products rise

The first four months of FY25 saw a 30.98 per cent increase in crude oil imports, leading to higher-than-expected production of petroleum products by local refineries and an increase in exports. Preliminary estimates suggest that the increase in local production of petroleum products in the past few months and its exports from the country is likely to boost economic growth in the current fiscal