‘Focus on exporting mangoes to China’

PCJCCI says quality, modern packaging and supply chain management key to tapping potential LAHORE: Pakistan has tremendous potential to expand its mango exports to China by focusing on quality improvement, modern packaging, branding and efficient supply chain management, said Adeel Munawar, Commercial Ambassador of the Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI). He…

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Right-of-way reform critical for digital economy

KARACHI: Pakistan’s latest telecom amendment has been pulled into a familiar panic cycle. A law meant to accelerate fibre, towers and 5G infrastructure is now being discussed as if it gives telecom companies the right to walk into private homes, install equipment and fine ordinary citizens Rs50 million for resistance. That reading is not supported…

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SBP records Rs161.5b money market placements

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has reported strong activity in the money market, with total placements reaching Rs161.53 billion across Islamic and conventional banking segments, according to data released by the central bank’s Domestic Markets and Monetary Management Department. The report, titled Money Market Placements in Islamic Modes, showed that transactions among Islamic…

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Rs85b PIA deal at final stage

All domestic and international approvals required for the transaction have been completed ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is likely to be handed over to a new buyer by the end of June as the privatisation process enters its final stage, according to sources in the Privatisation Commission. All domestic and international approvals required for the…

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Indian tankers transit Strait of Hormuz

BENGALURU: Three Indian-flagged tankers carrying more than 860,000 metric tons of oil and 94 Indian crew members have safely transited the Strait of Hormuz and are en route to India, shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Saturday. Sonowal posted on X that the Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald had all completed the transit….

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Govt scrambles to rethink auto tariff

ISLAMABAD: As the government scrambled on Saturday to deal with a blow to its draft auto policy, the top-ranking commerce ministry official said vehicle tariffs are being determined while duly taking into account the principles of trade liberalisation laid out in the National Tariff Policy (NTP). If the NTP is followed without deviation, customs duties…

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Canadian canola expertise sought

Agriculture contributes 25% to Pakistan’s GDP and proposed joint initiatives in hybrid seed research Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain. Photo: File ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has sought Canadian expertise in canola cultivation to reduce Pakistan’s $4-5 billion annual edible oil import…

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Freelancers hit $1b to 25% of IT exports

State Bank of Pakistan. Photo: File KARACHI: Pakistani freelancers have strengthened their position as a key contributor to the country’s digital economy, with their share in overall IT exports rising to 25% during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The milestone…

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Overseas job registrations hit 278,563

Labourers, drivers dominate as UAE corridor slows due to stricter immigration rules KARACHI: A total of 278,563 Pakistani workers registered for overseas employment during the first five months of 2026, reflecting the country’s continued dependence on foreign labour markets for employment and remittances. The latest data from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE)…

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IMF disagrees with 1% NEV sales tax

Inter-ministerial disagreements over duty structure threaten auto policy finalisation The government has agreed to the need for a mini-budget if revenues fall short of expectations by end-December 2025, according to the IMF. Photo: file ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not accepted a proposal to charge a 1% sales tax on new energy vehicles,…

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