KARACHI: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has lodged a “first information report” against a former Pakistan ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, on charges of embezzlement and misuse of authority.
The report, filed after an FIA corruption inquiry, alleges that the offenses took place from 2008 to 2011 when Haqqani was Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington.
According to some reports, the FIA is in the process of issuing red warrants against Husain Haqqani.
Bashir Memon, director general of the FIA, refused to comment when contacted by Arab News.
On Feb. 15, Memon told Pakistan’s Supreme Court that a request had been sent to Interpol for red warrants for the former ambassador.
Haqqani said the new charges against him “will go nowhere.”
“False charges have been filed in Pakistan against me six years after my resignation. These charges have been manufactured after Interpol turned down an earlier request by the FIA,” he told Arab News.
“Their purpose is just to meet Interpol’s criteria for warrants because Interpol does not get involved in political cases.”
Legal expert Hassan Sabir said the first information report is significant, but will remain symbolic until Pakistan signs an extradition treaty with the US.
“This is an important development, but Haqqani can be indicted only once he comes to Pakistan,” Sabir said.
Murtaza Solangi, senior analyst and a former director general of state-run Radio Pakistan, said the report was an attempt to embarrass Haqqani.
“It has only limited propaganda value in Pakistan. In the world of realpolitik, it does not change anything. Unless Haqqani voluntarily returns to Pakistan, nothing will happen to him,” Solangi said.
In 2011, Haqqani was implicated in the “Memogate” case when Pakistani-American financier Mansoor Ijaz was revealed to have delivered a memo from the ambassador to Adm. Mike Mullen, then chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, offering greater government cooperation in return for US backing for Pakistan’s security establishment.
“I intend to carry on my life and let the FIA and the hidden hands behind it figure out how to fulfil their fantasy of forcing my return to Pakistan on false charges,” Haqqani said.
Pakistan launches fraud case against former envoy
Pakistan launches fraud case against former envoy
Chinese giant Hoymiles enters Pakistani market to provide high-tech energy storage solutions
- The development comes after Pakistan emerges as one of world’s fastest-growing solar markets, importing nearly 50GW of solar panels
- Hoymiles entry will address long-hour backup and energy storage challenges facing Pakistan’s growing solar sector, local partner says
KARACHI: Renowned Chinese inverter manufacturer Hoymiles has entered Pakistan to provide high-tech, long-duration energy storage solutions for residential, commercial and industrial buildings by utilizing solar systems for electricity consumption, its Pakistani partner said on Monday.
Over the past few years, a large number of Pakistani industrial, commercial and residential electricity consumers have shifted to solar power systems to address frequent power outages and the rising cost of electricity. Reports indicate that net-metering capacity currently stands at 6,000 megawatts (MWs), while off-grid solar capacity has increased to 12,000 MWs in Pakistan by the end of 2025.
Hoymiles has formed strategic partnerships with Superstar, a renowned name in Pakistan’s automotive industry, and Harisun Energy, a new entrant in the energy solutions sector, to explore the Pakistani market, which is witnessing rapid growth in solar power adoption. In this regard, launch events were held simultaneously in Karachi and Lahore, unveiling multiple storage solutions produced by Hoymiles under the brands of Harisun Energy and Superstar.
Speaking as the chief guest at the Hoymiles launching ceremony in Karachi, Ali Rashid, advisor to Sindh chief minister on science and information technology (IT), said the provincial government appreciates foreign investors, particularly Chinese companies, establishing their industries, assembly, and distribution units in Karachi to meet the demand of the local market as well as export solutions to other countries.
“The government is working rigorously to facilitate foreign investors and companies to enhance their business and commercial activities, mainly in the technology and renewable energy sectors, to improve the living standards of the public and boost economic activity within the country and the province of Sindh,” he said.
The Sindh government is currently collaborating with various Chinese companies across different sectors, including logistics and renewable energy, and it welcomes further cooperation between the private and public sectors, according to Rashid.
The provincial government is considering establishing its own regulatory authority and transmission company, aimed at setting up a separate electricity grid system at the provincial level, which could provide affordable electricity to the masses and enhance connectivity to remote areas, preferably through renewable energy resources.
According to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), Pakistan has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing solar markets, importing approximately 50 GW of solar panels amid falling prices and widespread adoption across sectors in the first half of the year. This surge has made Pakistan the third-largest market for Chinese solar panels, a growth that has attracted global attention.
Superstar Solar Energy and Harisun Energy are introducing Hoymiles’ innovative range of solar inverters, energy storage solutions, and smart energy management systems to the Pakistani market. These solutions are designed to deliver reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy, empowering individuals and businesses to harness solar power as a clean and green energy source.
“Pakistan’s growing solar sector is facing a major challenge related to long-hour backup and energy storage solutions, which will soon be addressed with the entry of a global leader in energy solutions,” said Haris Jamsheed, CEO of Harisun Energy.
“Our partnership with the Chinese company will provide innovative energy storage solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial solar systems, enabling uninterrupted electricity supply at workplaces, factories, and homes during nighttime hours.”
Solarization has continued to expand across the country on a large scale due to prolonged load-shedding in remote areas and the high cost of electricity, which has become unaffordable for many households and industrial units, particularly in recent years.
“We have vowed to bring an energy revolution to Pakistan through innovative storage solutions, as the industrial and commercial sectors can enhance productivity with low-cost electricity backup systems,” said Saleem Umar, Chairman of Superstar.
“Affordable electricity will reduce operational costs at the domestic level, enabling exporters to compete more effectively in global markets.”
