Business
OMCs warn fuel supply at risk over unresolved policy | The Express Tribune
LAHORE:
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have once again raised concerns over challenges being faced by the petroleum sector, urging the government to resolve long-standing issues that directly impact supply chain sustainability and the financial health of the industry.
In a letter addressed to the government and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), Oil Marketing Association of Pakistan (OMAP) Chairman Tariq Wazir Ali highlighted that despite repeated engagements with concerned authorities, several matters remain unresolved, creating uncertainty for companies operating in the sector.
The communication reflects the growing frustration within the OMC community over delays in decision-making and the absence of a clear policy direction. The letter points out that issues related to pricing mechanisms, margins, taxation complexities, and regulatory processes continue to weigh heavily on the sector’s overall performance. They argue that without timely government intervention, the sustainability of fuel supply to the public could face challenges, particularly at a time when the economy is struggling and energy affordability has become a national concern.
The letter further stated that the sector has remained patient despite increasing financial pressures. “The companies are performing a critical role in ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability, but we cannot sustain operations indefinitely under the current policy uncertainties. There has to be clarity and fairness in the regulatory framework if the industry is to serve both the government and the consumers effectively,” it said.
Ali also highlighted that companies have already made massive investments in the sector. “Investments have already been made, including Rs81 billion in storage facilities, which make up nearly half of the country’s total capacity, and Rs75 billion in retail networks and other assets. These investments have made the market more competitive and consumer-friendly,” he added.
He stressed that regulatory bodies must acknowledge the limitations of existing mechanisms and encourage collaboration to ensure a stable supply chain. According to the OMAP chairman, the current environment makes it difficult for OMCs to operate profitably, while being expected to maintain nationwide availability of petroleum products without compromise. “This dual pressure is not sustainable in the long run, and we urge the government to address our concerns without further delay,” he said.
Responding to the concerns raised in the letter, an OGRA spokesperson clarified the organisation’s position. “OGRA actively reviews and resolves industry issues within its purview. Moreover, there are numerous issues which pertain to policy, and those fall under the domain of the federal government and not under OGRA’s jurisdiction,” the spokesperson explained.
This clarification underlines the distinction between regulatory functions and policy-making responsibilities, a difference that often creates misunderstanding within the industry. While OGRA has the mandate to ensure compliance, fair play, and protection of consumer interests, broader matters like pricing policies, taxation regimes, and structural reforms lie with the federal government.
Ali, however, has urged both the regulator and the government to work in harmony, stressing that a disjointed approach leads to delays and confusion that directly impact market stability.
Industry stakeholders and observers believe the petroleum sector’s challenges mirror the broader governance and policy coordination issues facing the economy. Unless there is a concerted effort, OMCs fear that not only their operational capacity but also the reliability of fuel supplies could be compromised. With the stakes so high, the industry’s call for immediate attention from policymakers is likely to gain momentum in the days to come, they added.
Business
Gurugram Attracts Rs 86,588 Crore In Real Estate Investments In 2025 As RERA Clears 131 Projects
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Alongside rising investments, Gurugram RERA strengthened regulatory oversight to safeguard homebuyer and investor interests
Gurgaon Real Estate (Representative Image)
Gurugram emerged as one of India’s top real estate investment destinations in 2025, with projects worth Rs 86,588 crore receiving regulatory approvals during the year, according to data from the Gurugram Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Gurugram RERA).
Market observers said the numbers reflect strong investor confidence in the NCR’s largest commercial and residential hub.
Gurugram RERA registered 131 projects in calendar year 2025, representing development potential of 35,455 units across housing and commercial segments.
A striking feature of the data was the dominance of large-ticket projects. Just 28 major developments accounted for investments worth Rs 59,360 crore, highlighting the growing influence of institutional capital and large developers in shaping Gurugram’s property market.
Residential assets continued to attract the bulk of investment interest. Of the total units approved, 31,455 were residential, underscoring sustained end-user demand and long-term confidence in the city’s housing fundamentals.
According to Authority data, the residential mix included 17,405 group housing units, 5,720 mixed land use units, 4,040 residential floor units, 2,122 affordable group housing units, 1,954 units under the Deen Dayal housing scheme, and 214 residential plotted colony units.
Market observers said this diversified supply pipeline indicates capital deployment across both premium and mass segments, helping reduce concentration risk and deepen market resilience.
On the commercial side, Gurugram RERA approved about 4,000 commercial units, of which 168 were dedicated to IT parks, reinforcing Gurugram’s position as a preferred hub for technology firms and Global Capability Centres.
Analysts noted that the combination of office-led employment growth and residential expansion continues to make Gurugram attractive for long-term capital deployment.
Industry experts said the scale of investments approved in 2025 highlights Gurugram’s ability to attract capital despite global uncertainty, supported by infrastructure growth, a strong corporate base and an improving regulatory environment.
“With a large pipeline of approved projects and sustained interest from developers and institutional investors, Gurugram is expected to remain a key real estate investment destination in the coming years,” a Gurugram-based real estate expert said.
Tighter regulatory checks
Alongside rising investments, Gurugram RERA strengthened regulatory oversight to enhance transparency and safeguard homebuyer and investor interests.
“These steps included stricter scrutiny of developer submissions, mandatory site inspections by domain experts, and public consultation through mandatory notices before project registration,” an Authority official said.
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January 16, 2026, 07:44 IST
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National Startup Day highlights India’s thriving startup ecosystem, celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation driven by founders, unicorns and Startup India mission
National Startup Day 2026 honours Indian startups, entrepreneurs and innovators driving economic growth and job creation.
National Startup Day 2026: India’s startup ecosystem has evolved into one of the world’s most vibrant and promising innovation hubs. To recognise the contribution of entrepreneurs, founders and startups transforming ideas into impactful solutions, National Startup Day is observed every year on January 16 across the country.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, the day celebrates visionary entrepreneurs who play a crucial role in economic growth, employment generation and technological advancement.
National Startup Day serves as a reminder that innovation, backed by determination and policy support, can reshape society and create global impact.
National Startup Day 2026 Theme
The official theme for National Startup Day 2026 is yet to be announced. However, the core focus areas are expected to revolve around:
- Innovation and emerging technologies
- Entrepreneurship and leadership
- Self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat)
- Startup India Mission
- Youth empowerment
- Job creation
How Startups Are Shaping India’s Future
India currently ranks as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with over 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of early 2025. Backed by 100+ unicorns, the ecosystem continues to grow rapidly.
Metro cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi-NCR lead this expansion, while Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are emerging as new innovation centres, adding diversity and scale to India’s entrepreneurial journey.
Startups across fintech, edtech, health-tech, e-commerce and deep-tech are addressing real-world challenges and gaining global recognition. Technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and IoT are increasingly driving innovation, according to Startup India ecosystem reports.
Industry-Wise Startup Impact
DPIIT-recognised startups have generated over 16.6 lakh direct jobs across sectors as of October 31, 2024, strengthening India’s employment landscape.
- IT Services: 2.04 lakh jobs
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: 1.47 lakh jobs
- Commercial & Professional Services: 94,000 jobs
Through the Startup India initiative, the government continues to focus on skill development, funding access, ecosystem collaboration and global outreach.
Key Initiatives Under Startup India
- Capacity building and mentorship
- Outreach and awareness programmes
- Ecosystem development events
- International exposure and global linkages
- Collaboration between startups, corporates and institutions.
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January 16, 2026, 07:00 IST
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The government on Thursday kept petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices unchanged at Rs253.17 per litre and Rs257.08 per litre respectively, for the coming fortnight, starting from January 16.
This decision was notified in a press release issued by the Petroleum Division.
Earlier, it was expected that the prices of all petroleum products would go down by up to Rs4.50 per litre (over 1pc each) today in view of variation in the international market.
Petrol is primarily used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers, and directly impacts the budgets of the middle and lower-middle classes.
Meanwhile, most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary, as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains, and agricultural engines such as trucks, buses, tractors, tube wells, and threshers, and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables.
The government is currently charging about Rs100 per litre on petrol and about Rs97 per litre on diesel.
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Gurugram Attracts Rs 86,588 Crore In Real Estate Investments In 2025 As RERA Clears 131 Projects
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