Saudi king, crown prince condole with Pakistan over train accident that killed 56

Railway labourers work to clean the wreckage from a railroad track in Daharki on June 8, 2021, a day after a packed inter-city train ploughed into another express that had derailed, killing at least 40 people. (AFP)
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Updated 09 June 2021
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Saudi king, crown prince condole with Pakistan over train accident that killed 56

  • About 1,100 passengers were on board when the collision occurred near Ghotki town in Sindh province
  • Railways minister says too early to say whether cause was sabotage or dilapidated condition of train track

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent condolences to Pakistani President Dr. Arif Alvi after a train smashed into derailed carriages of another train on Monday, killing at least 56, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.

According to railway officials, about 1,100 passengers were on board the trains when the collision occurred near Ghotki town, about 420 km north of Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and capital of the Sindh province. The death toll so far is 56, with at least a 100 injured, Hameedullah Lashari, DCO railways Sukkar division of Sindh province, said. 

King Salman “expressed condolences and sympathy to the President and families of the victims, wishing the injured a speedy recovery,” SPA reported. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent his condolences. 

On Monday, the Saudi ministry of foreign affairs said the kingdom “expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the dead, and to Pakistan, the leadership, government and people.”

Railways minister Azam Sawati said on Twitter authorities were investigating the cause of the collision but it was too early to say whether the accident was “due to sabotage or due to the dilapidated condition of the train track.”

The ministry said it was compiling a final list of the “dead and injured” and would release it soon. 

“The rescue operation has been completed and now the track is being repaired,” the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. “Soon after maintenance work, train operations on the track will resume.”


Chinese giant Hoymiles enters Pakistani market to provide high-tech energy storage solutions

Updated 05 January 2026
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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.”