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Circular debt financing deal: Will it benefit ordinary Pakistanis? | The Express Tribune

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Circular debt financing deal: Will it benefit ordinary Pakistanis? | The Express Tribune


The federal government has signed a historic Rs1.225 trillion financing agreement with a consortium of 18 banks to address the country’s ballooning power sector circular debt. Finance Minister Aurangzeb has described signed transaction as the largest restructuring deal in country’s history.

The key question now is why this agreement is being called a game changer — and what it really means for ordinary Pakistanis. Will it bring down electricity costs, reduce the burden of circular debt, or improve the efficiency of the power sector?

To answer these questions, The Express Tribune unpacks the deal in simple, clear terms so readers can understand its real impact on daily life. To understand this, we first need to know what circular debt is — and how it has grown over time.

What is Circular Debt?

Circular debt refers to the financial shortfall in Pakistan’s energy sector, where various entities involved in electricity generation, supply, and distribution owe large amounts of money to each other. The problem is rooted in poor management, delayed payments, and inefficiencies in revenue collection.

The key players involved in this circular chain include the federal government, independent power producers, government-owned power supply companies, energy suppliers, and the financial institutions that finance the sector. These players often fail to pay one another on time, causing the debt to spiral out of control.

How Circular Debt Has Grown

Circular debt in Pakistan’s energy sector has grown significantly over the years due to several factors:

Low Recoveries & Theft: Power companies struggle to recover payments from consumers, and widespread theft further exacerbates financial losses. Unreimbursed Tariff Subsidies: The government has failed to fully compensate power companies for the tariff subsidies, increasing the debt burden.

Misaligned Billing Cycles: Billing inefficiencies and long delays in the collection process lead to a backlog of unpaid dues.

Capacity Payments: IPPs are required to make large capacity payments, regardless of whether electricity is generated or consumed. This contributes to the increasing debt as power plants get paid without generating enough electricity to cover costs.

As a result, the total circular debt has reached staggering amounts, leading to an unbalanced energy market where costs are passed down to consumers and institutions that are unable to meet their obligations.

What makes this circular debt agreement a big deal?

Pakistan’s power sector has long been crippled by circular debt — unpaid bills, subsidies, and delayed payments piling up across the system. By mid-2025, this debt had reached nearly Rs2.4 trillion, about 2.1% of GDP, choking growth.

To tackle this, the government has signed a record Rs1.225 trillion financing deal with 18 major banks. The loan is structured under Islamic finance principles and will be repaid through a surcharge already included in electricity bills, ensuring lenders are paid without adding new pressure on the budget.

Unlike past bailouts, this agreement offers a market-based, sustainable fix aimed at reviving struggling power companies and breaking the cycle of circular debt.

Key features of the scheme:

Financing amount: Rs1,225 billion

Markup: KIBOR – 0.90% (well below market terms) 

Tenor: Maximum 6 years

Repayment stream: Debt Service Surcharge (DSS) of Rs3.23/kWh

Innovative use of DSS: Not just covering financing costs, but also repaying principal.

Why is it a game changer?

This agreement is a game changer because of its scale, collaboration, and structure. At Rs1.2 trillion, it is the largest financing in Pakistan’s history, designed with strict repayment terms to enforce discipline. It also reflects an unprecedented collective effort.

Unlike past bailouts that fueled inflation and deficits, this is a market-based, transparent solution that channels private money into the energy sector.

Most importantly, it restores confidence by showing that Pakistan can deliver innovative, large-scale financial solutions — a model the country can apply to other systemic challenges.

How will it benefit ordinary Pakistanis?

Once the loan is fully repaid in 4–6 years, the extra surcharge of Rs3.23 per unit on electricity bills will be removed, lowering tariffs.

In the meantime, the cash flowing into the power sector will help reduce blackouts, fuel shortages, and sudden price hikes. By easing pressure on the government’s finances, the deal also helps keep inflation in check.

Over time, it can attract new investment in energy and renewables, making supply more reliable and affordable. For households, this means more stable electricity, more predictable bills, and a stronger economy overall.



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Airlines cancel more than 1,200 flights ahead of winter storm. Here’s what to know

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Airlines cancel more than 1,200 flights ahead of winter storm. Here’s what to know


A traveler near a departures board at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey, US, on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025.

Victor J. Blue | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Airlines canceled more than 1,200 U.S. flights on Friday ahead of a major winter storm that will put carriers to the test during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

A winter storm warning is in effect starting Friday afternoon in New York City, New Jersey and Long Island, with snowfall totals potentially reaching 9 inches, most of it falling overnight, the National Weather Service said.

Over 350 flights, or more than a quarter of the day’s schedule, were canceled as of 1 p.m. Friday to and from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. More than 200 were also scrubbed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and more than 100 were canceled at Philadelphia International Airport.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and other carriers waived change fees for restrictive basic economy tickets and said they won’t charge a difference in fare for any other customers flying in and out of a host of airports in the Northeast U.S.

Customers must travel by the end of the year if they change their flights, the airlines said. Flying as early as possible is likely the best bet with few seats available during the busy Christmas week.

Airlines for America, the industry lobbying group, expects carriers to fly a record 52.6 million people between Dec. 19 and Jan. 5, with this Friday and Sunday among the busiest days.

Airlines generally cancel flights ahead of time for major weather events in the forecast, like blizzards or hurricanes, to avoid planes, connecting travelers and crews from getting stranded and worsening disruptions.

Read more CNBC airline news



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Silver rate today: White metal surges to record Rs 2.36 lakh/kg in Delhi; global prices top $75 an ounce – The Times of India

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Silver rate today: White metal surges to record Rs 2.36 lakh/kg in Delhi; global prices top  an ounce – The Times of India


Silver prices climbed to fresh lifetime highs in both domestic and international markets on Friday, driven by strong global cues and thin year-end trading, according to the All India Sarafa Association.In the national capital, silver soared by Rs 9,350 to close at a record Rs 2,36,350 per kilogram on Friday, up from Rs 2,27,000 per kg in the previous session, PTI reported. Over the past four trading sessions, the metal has gained Rs 32,250, or 15.8%, from Rs 2,04,100 per kg on December 19.For the calendar year, silver has recorded an even sharper rise, adding Rs 1,46,650, or 163.5%, from Rs 89,700 per kg on December 31, 2024.Meanwhile, gold maintained its upward momentum in the local bullion market. The precious metal of 99.9% purity jumped Rs 1,500 to touch a new lifetime high of Rs 1,42,300 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), compared with Rs 1,40,800 per 10 grams in the previous session. On a year-to-date basis, gold has gained Rs 63,350, or 80.24%, from Rs 78,950 per 10 grams at the end of 2024.“The precious metals rally continued on the last trading day of the week, with gold and silver reaching new record highs once again,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst – Commodities at HDFC Securities, said, PTI quoted..In overseas markets, benchmark spot gold rose $50.87, or 1.13%, to hit a fresh lifetime high of $4,530.42 per ounce.“Gold continues to trade at a record high of $4,530 per ounce, buoyed by Fed rate cut expectations and a positive undertone in the commodities market. Thin trading conditions due to the year-end holidays are exaggerating the moves,” Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities and Currencies at Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said.Silver also extended its rally abroad. Spot silver climbed $3.72, or 5.18%, to touch a new high of $75.63 per ounce, breaking past the $75 per ounce mark for the first time.“Spot silver hit a high of $75 during Asian trading hours on Friday. The strong bullish momentum has attracted more momentum-driven traders, who have been active in the precious metals market since early December,” Gandhi added, noting that low liquidity around the Christmas and year-end holiday season has intensified price moves.Structural factors are also supporting silver’s advance, analysts said. Jigar Trivedi, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities, pointed to a multi-year supply deficit, with global mine output lagging demand and above-ground inventories declining.“Structural tightness in the physical market could support much higher prices if deficits deepen,” Trivedi said, highlighting silver’s crucial role in sectors such as solar panels, electric vehicles, 5G and AI electronics, and other clean-tech infrastructure.He also noted that a weak US dollar and rising safe-haven demand could push silver prices toward $100 per ounce in 2026.



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Insolvency ruling: CoC cannot alter approved resolution plan or reallocate dissenting creditors’ funds, says NCLAT – The Times of India

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Insolvency ruling: CoC cannot alter approved resolution plan or reallocate dissenting creditors’ funds, says NCLAT – The Times of India


The insolvency appellate tribunal NCLAT has ruled that the Committee of Creditors (CoC) cannot modify an approved resolution plan to reallocate funds meant for dissenting financial creditors, reaffirming limits on the exercise of commercial wisdom after a plan has been cleared, PTI reported.Dismissing an appeal filed by Bank of Baroda in the insolvency proceedings of Reliance Communications Infrastructure Ltd (RCIL), a two-member bench of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal said that once a resolution plan is approved, the assenting members of the CoC cannot alter its financial distribution framework.“It is true that the CoC with commercial wisdom can take a decision regarding different aspects of the plan, including manner of distribution, but once the commercial wisdom has been exercised by approving the resolution plan in meeting, the modification of the said distribution mechanism, which is impermissible, cannot be saved in the name of commercial wisdom of the CoC,” NCLAT said in its order.The appeal arose from the insolvency resolution of RCIL, where the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had approved the resolution plan submitted by Reliance Projects & Property Management Services Ltd (RPPMSL), a subsidiary of Jio. The plan was approved by 67.97 per cent of the CoC by vote share on August 5, 2021.While Bank of Baroda voted in favour of the plan, lenders including IDBI Bank and State Bank of India dissented. The plan was subsequently placed before the Mumbai bench of the NCLT for approval.Bank of Baroda later approached the NCLT seeking directions to convene a CoC meeting to consider reallocation of proceeds under the approved resolution plan, particularly in relation to a loan to Reliance Bhutan. Acting on this, the NCLT on October 17, 2023 directed the resolution professional to convene a CoC meeting.At the meeting held on October 27, 2023, a resolution proposing reallocation and reassignment of the Reliance Bhutan loan was passed with a 67.55 per cent majority, though IDBI Bank and SBI objected to the move.On December 19, the NCLT approved the resolution plan as originally proposed by RPPMSL. IDBI Bank subsequently challenged the October 27, 2023 CoC decision, arguing that the reallocation of proceeds violated the approved resolution plan.The NCLT held that the CoC could not alter the financial layout relating to the entitlement of financial creditors once the resolution plan had been approved. It also noted that the Reliance Bhutan loan, which was to be assigned to assenting financial creditors under the plan, could not be reassigned to dissenting lenders through a subsequent CoC decision.In its October 10, 2025 order, the NCLT ruled that the approved resolution plan could not be modified in this manner. Bank of Baroda challenged this decision before the NCLAT.Upholding the NCLT’s view, the appellate tribunal said, “The Adjudicating Authority in the impugned order after considering all relevant clauses has rightly come to the conclusion that the decision of the CoC dated 27.10.2023 is contrary to the approved resolution plan and cannot bind the dissenting financial creditors.”“We are in full agreement with the view taken by the adjudicating authority as noted above. The adjudicating authority did not commit any error in allowing the plea filed by the IDBI Bank. We do not find any good ground to interfere with the decision of the adjudicating authority,” NCLAT added, dismissing the appeal.



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