Pakistan and Iran are said to have agreed to resolve the disputes on gas pipeline project in accordance with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), sources in Petroleum Ministry told Business Recorder.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday ordered to immediately stop auctions of land in Thatta. He also announced that Darawat Dam would be built to reserve rainwater for irrigation in this area.

Director General (Management and Conservation) of Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) Tahir Basharat Cheema said on Friday highly obsolete machinery installed at factories was resulting in inefficient consumption of energy in the Pakistan.

Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf told a press conference on Wednesday that the country's first ever windmill project in Jhimpir, Sindh, will become functional on April 19. This would mark an important beginning towards power production from alternative sources of energy. Built by a Turkish company, the project is part of a 50mw wind farm.

The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has floated a tender for supply of synthetic natural gas (SNG) up to 1000 mmsfd for injection into its own natural gas system, which is reportedly measured by the market players as an attempt to favour specific parties.

Pakistan and China are set to sign memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enter into joint venture for oil and gas exploration. The MoU will be signed by Advisor to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain, who left here for China on Friday.

Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) is holding a seminar here on National Bio-Diesel Programme on May 18 for strategizing commercial scale production of bio-diesel in the country. The recommendations of the seminar will assist in consolidating the policy and regulatory framework for bio-diesel currently being formulated by AEDB.

The State bank of Pakistan on Tuesday directed all banks and DFIs to follow the daylight saving policy by advancing the clocks by one hour. It said that in pursuance of the decision of the Federal Government, watches/clocks will be advanced by one hour from April 15, 2009.

Advancing clocks by an hour from April 15 (Tuesday night) all over the country would help utilise maximum daylight and conserve energy. The daylight saving would be adopted by advancing the clocks by an hour with effect from April 15, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior.

Japan has agreed to provide assistance for three projects, including Karachi Circular Railway project (KCR), sixth secondary transmission and grids project of Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) and New Khanki Barrage. Japan may make formal announcement in the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) meeting scheduled in Tokyo on April 17.