Dear Riaz Sb.

I recently read an article that has surprised me about the production of Solar Energy in Morocco. I am wondering if Pakistan is planning such power plants?  Morocco has a surplus of energy and is looking to supply power to Europe.  I do not see why Pakistan cannot at least produce 5000 MW from Solar.  As things stand Pakistan is generating total power of about 15,000 MW.  The demand is for 20,000 MW. 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2023/04/13/morocco...

We really need to start companies that can make quality inverters locally.  I am not yet aware of large scale Solar panel manufacturing in Pakistan.  Wind energy generation may be a little more expensive for Pakistan.

In Europe heat pumps have caught on, and I basically define them as using the same technology as a fridge. They are able to heat in reverse. 

Thank you.

Regards,

Akhtar.

Akhtar sahab,

The maximum power demand met by Pakistan during the year ended June 2022 was 28,250 MW, more than 35% lower than power generation capacity of 43,770 MW.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/pakistan-plans-quadruple-do....

Solar is only good when the sun is shining unless it is coupled with battery storage. 

But battery storage is currently very expensive. Its costs need to come down a lot before solar becomes a more useful option for 24X7X365 grid electricity like that generated by coal or oil or gas. 

AOA Riaz Sb.

Thank you for providing the numbers.  Wow, I cannot believe that Pakistan has the capacity to produce almost 44,000 MW power.  Actually it is way beyond what I was expecting.  Then why do they have power cuts?  Pardon my arrogance, but I believe Pakistan has at least 300 days of sunshine.  Also, in Europe we do not store power in batteries.  We feed it directly into the home supply by using inverters to convert to AC.  I agree that the grid in Pakistan may not be ready in some parts of the country, to connect inverters, but I believe Islamabad can.  If the whole city of Islamabad can adopt this technique that will be a big saving. 

I have just moved into a brand new apartment in the Netherlands. There is no gas supply to the apt and everything runs on electric.  I have 8 solar panels and a heat pump. My electric bill is Euro 140 per month in winter for an apartment that is 150 meter cube. I may get some money back at the end of the year if we have a warm and sunny summer.  

For the mountains and northern areas of Pakistan we need to build and install heat pumps.  The technology is old.  I just love them.

https://www.siemens-energy.com/global/en/offerings/power-generation...

Thank you.

Akhtar.

Remittances Sent By Pakistani Expats Reach $2.5 Billion In March: Central Bank
Pakistan and the IMF have been negotiating the programme's resumption for months but have yet to reach an agreement

https://www.outlookindia.com/business/remittances-sent-by-pakistani...

Pakistani expatriates sent home $2.5 billion in remittances in March, a seven-month high, the State Bank of Pakistan said on Monday, as the cash-strapped country tried to avert a major economic crisis. The data from the central bank showed that the inflow of workers’ remittances was 27 per cent higher compared to February. However, it was 11 per cent lower compared to March 2022, Geo News reported.

Pakistan, currently tackling a major economic crisis, is grappling with high external debt, a weak local currency and dwindling foreign exchange reserves. According to the report, historical trends suggest that Pakistanis living abroad sent record-high remittances ahead of Eid festivals each year.

According to the report, inflows remained comparatively high as non-resident Pakistanis used legal channels to send funds to their family, given the shrinking gap between rates in the interbank and the open market. Pakistani expatriates in Saudi Arabia topped the list of remittances by sending an amount of $563.9 million in March. However, it was 24.04 per cent lower than the $454.6 million received in February, the report said.


Pakistanis living in the UAE sent home 25.52 per cent more as receipts increased from $406.7 million to $324 million. Remittances from overseas Pakistanis in the UK increased 33.12 per cent to $422 million, the report said, adding that they sent $317 million in February. Head of Research at Arif Habib Limited, Tahir Abbas, said that the monthly increase in the remittances is due to the Ramzan factor that usually fetches higher flows due to family commitments, welfare, and charity, among other things.

"The flows in the upcoming months are expected to remain elevated due to another Eid falling by the end of this fiscal year," Abbas was quoted as saying in the report. Terming the increase a “good omen”, Head of Research at Pakistan-Kuwait Investment Company, Samiullah Tariq, said, “Remittances number is highest for past seven months; however, this year Ramzan has started earlier which is why remittance inflow increased earlier than last year,” the report said.

According to a prominent US-based think tank, the United States Institute of Peace, Pakistan needs to repay a whopping $77.5 billion in external debt from April 2023 to June 2026. It added that the cash-strapped country might face disruptive effects if it ultimately defaults. Pakistan is awaiting a much-needed $1.1 billion tranche of funding from the Washington-based International Monetary Fund, originally due to be disbursed in November last year.

The funds are part of a $6.5 billion bailout package the IMF approved in 2019, which analysts say is critical if Pakistan is to avoid defaulting on external debt obligations. The IMF programme, signed in 2019, will expire on June 30, 2023, and under the set guidelines, the programme cannot be extended beyond the deadline. Pakistan and the IMF have been negotiating the programme's resumption for months but have yet to reach an agreement.

UK Adds 226 New Visa Categories to Urgently Hire Skilled Workers


https://propakistani.pk/2023/05/18/uk-adds-226-new-visa-categories-...


Exciting opportunities have emerged for Pakistani youth seeking employment abroad as the United Kingdom opens its doors to skilled workers from around the world, including Pakistan.

In response to the severe manpower shortage currently faced by Britain, the country has introduced a significant expansion in its immigration policies.


According to official reports, a total of 226 new immigration categories have been established, accompanied by a noteworthy increase in the minimum wage across all job categories.

This development marks the first time that professions such as police officers, journalists, judges, secret officers, barristers, lawyers, and flight pilots have been included in the immigration category. Furthermore, an additional 31 categories have been designated, encompassing diverse fields such as musicians, dancers, doctors, actors, and scientists.

The expanded opportunities extend beyond specific professions, as drivers, instructors, railway station assistants, air hostesses, cabin crew, veterinary doctors, and tailors are now eligible to pursue employment in the UK. Moreover, individuals with expertise in areas such as masonry, aircraft engineering, AC/fridge engineering, welding, charity work, and estate agency will also find potential avenues for relocation.

Students pursuing education in the UK can now benefit from the post-study work facility, which allows them to gain valuable work experience following the completion of their studies. Notably, highly-educated professionals can anticipate a substantial 20 percent increase in their remuneration, as highlighted in the official letter.

To facilitate the approved manpower shortage category, the UK government has taken steps to keep visa fees at a reasonable level, ensuring accessibility for individuals seeking employment opportunities in the country.

These progressive changes in the UK’s immigration policies provide an encouraging prospect for skilled workers from Pakistan and around the world. The reduced visa fees and the inclusion of a diverse range of professions reflect the British government’s commitment to addressing the pressing shortage of manpower while simultaneously welcoming talented individuals to contribute to the country’s workforce.

Aspiring professionals from Pakistan are encouraged to explore these newfound possibilities, which not only promise career growth but also cultural exchange and personal development. The opportunities available in the UK cater to a wide spectrum of skills and talents, fostering an environment where individuals can thrive and make significant contributions to their chosen fields.


With these favorable policy revisions, Pakistanis can now embark on a transformative journey, utilizing their expertise to build successful careers and establish meaningful connections in the United Kingdom.