
Ecopack approves 2.03MW solar power project
In a notice sent to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday, the company formally disclosed that its Board of Directors has approved capital expenditure (CAPEX) for the acquisition of land measuring 3.63 acres, alongside the installation of the solar power project. The initiative underscores Ecopack's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and cutting operational energy costs through renewable energy integration.
'In accordance with Section 96 of the Securities Act, 2015 and Clause 5.6.1(a) of PSX Regulations, the Board has approved the CAPEX for acquisition of land measuring 3.63 acres and the installation of a 2.03 MW solar power generation facility,' read the company's official statement.
Ecopack Limited, incorporated in Pakistan as a limited liability company, primarily caters to the beverage and liquid packaging industry and has increasingly prioritized sustainable practices as part of its operational strategy. The development is a part of broader clean energy transition in Pakistan, where the adoption of solar power has gained considerable momentum in recent years.
Despite being a developing economy facing significant fiscal and energy challenges, Pakistan has quietly emerged as one of the fastest-growing solar markets globally. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, the country's net-metering capacity surged to 2,813 MW as of March 31, 2025, reflecting the sharp increase in both industrial and residential solar installations.
Meanwhile, this rapid adoption has prompted the federal government to revise its policy framework for the solar sector. In the federal budget for 2025-26, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb proposed an 18 percent sales tax on imported solar panels — a move aimed at supporting local manufacturing. However, following consultations with industry stakeholders, the government revised the General Sales Tax (GST) rate downward to 10 percent.
Industry experts believe that initiatives like Ecopack's solar project not only demonstrate corporate responsibility but also signal the maturing of Pakistan's renewable energy sector, as businesses increasingly seek energy security and operational efficiency amid volatile fuel prices and frequent power shortages.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
PSX continues rally, hits new high above 131,000 points
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its bullish trend on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index gaining 489.75 points, current index at 131,176.40 — an increase of 0.37% during intra-day trading. The index reached an intraday high of 131,411.40 and a low of 130,716.10 during the trading session. Trading volume stood at 73.6 million shares, with a total value of over Rs 7.7 billion, reflecting sustained buying activity across various sectors. Friday's session followed a similar bullish trend seen the previous day, when the index closed at 130,686.65. Earlier on Thursday, KSE-100 index extended its upward trajectory to close at a new all-time high with addition of 342.63 points. Read: Stocks continue bull-run, reach fresh peak The rally was led by index-heavy sectors, particularly oil and gas, banking and power. However, overall trading remained mixed. Among major triggers, Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves jumped $5.1b to $14.5b by the end of FY25. "Stocks closed higher at a new all-time high after the government slashed NSS (National Savings Scheme) rates, which will push investors towards equities, and the State Bank's forex reserves hit $14.5b," said Arif Habib Corp MD Ahsan Mehanti. Arif Habib Limited (AHL) reported that the KSE-100 index experienced two-way volatility around the 130,000 level but it managed to hold the key level at close. Some 53 shares advanced while 46 declined. Major contributors to the index gains were Oil and Gas Development Company (+2.77%), UBL (+1.32%) and Hub Power (+2.26%). On the flip side, the biggest laggards were Bank AL Habib (-4.14%), MCB Bank (-2.46%) and Meezan Bank (-1.6%), it said. WorldCall Telecom was the volume leader with trading in 49.5m shares, falling Rs0.02 to close at Rs1.59. It was followed by Image Pakistan with 36.7m shares, rising Rs2.87 to close at Rs32.47 and The Bank of Punjab with 35.1m shares, losing Rs0.02 to close at Rs11.52. Foreign investors sold shares worth Rs909m, the National Clearing Company reported.


Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Stocks surge as KSE-100 gains nearly 500 points
Buying continued at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining nearly 500 points during the first half of the trading session on Friday. At 12pm, the benchmark index was hovering at 131,176.40 level, an increase of 489.75 points or 0.37%. Buying was observed in key sectors including automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, OMCs and power generation. Index-heavy stocks including HUBCO, SSGC, WAFI, HCAR, HBL, MCB and MEBL traded in the green. On Thursday, the PSX extended its record-breaking rally as the government's decision to slash National Savings Scheme rates, reduce industrial power tariffs, and accelerate deliberations on the privatisation of state-owned enterprises fueled market momentum. The benchmark KSE-100 Index surged to a fresh all-time high, rising by 342 points or 0.26% to close at 130,686.66 points. Internationally, most Asian equity markets struggled on Friday, despite record highs for Wall Street overnight, as US President Donald Trump's deadline for trade deals loomed next week. The dollar retraced some of Thursday's gains with US markets already shut for the week, as traders considered the impact of the sweeping spending bill Trump is about to sign into law. Japan's Nikkei rose 0.3% as of 0152 GMT after flipping between gains and losses in early trading. Hong Kong's Hang Seng slumped 1.3%, while mainland Chinese blue chips edged slightly lower. Taiwan's equity benchmark shed early gains to decline 0.2%. South Korea's KOSPI sank more than 1%. US S&P 500 futures edged down 0.2%, following a 0.8% overnight advance for the cash index to a fresh all-time closing peak. Wall Street is closed on Friday for Independence Day. Investors cheered a surprisingly robust jobs report on Thursday in sending all three of the main U.S. equity indexes climbing in a shortened session. Following the close, the House narrowly approved Trump's signature, 869-page bill, which would add $3.4 trillion to the nation's $36.2 trillion debt, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Trump also said he would start sending out letters to trade partners with their tariff rates, as deals remained elusive ahead of the July 9 deadline. This is an intra-day update


Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's textile manufacturer move towards tech & EV sectors amid ongoing operational suspension
Amid continued operational suspension, Bilal Fibres Limited, a textile manufacturer, said on Friday that it is now actively engaging with stakeholders, technical experts, and consultants to finalise a comprehensive business plan for its proposed entry into IT, health tech, and Electric Vehicle (EV) sectors. The Lahore-based listed company disclosed the development in its notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). 'During the quarter ended 30th June 2025, the company's operations remained suspended, and no business activities were undertaken. However, as a first step towards revival, the Board of Directors (BOD) have approved the proposal to establish IT/health tech/EV division as a potential secondary line of business,' read the notice. 'In pursuance of this decision, we are actively engaged with the stakeholders, including technical experts, consultants, etc., for finalisation of the business plan,' read the notice. Last month, Bilal Fibres announced plans to diversify into the IT, health tech, and EV sectors as a potential secondary line of business, while reaffirming that textiles remain its core focus. The company also reported a board change, with Anwaar Abbas resigning as director and Muhammad Usman Saber, an IT professional, appointed in his place. Established in 1987, Bilal Fibres Limited engages in the manufacture and sale of yarn in Pakistan. It offers poly/cotton, poly/viscose, CVC, viscose, and cotton yarns for weaving or knitting applications. The company also exports its products to Europe, the Far East, and the Middle East.