Pakistan, S Korea agree to speedily finalise CEPA

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a virtual meeting with South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo to strengthen trade ties, advance negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and enhance investment cooperation. Secretary Commerce Jawad Paul and senior officials from both sides also participated in the meeting. At the outset, the…

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‘Pay workers before sweat dries,’ says minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan paid tribute to millions of labourers on International Workers’ Day, stating that Islam places a sacred duty on employers to pay workers their wages ‘before their sweat dries’, according to an official statement issued on Friday. Aleem Khan said the working class is the backbone of human…

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PSX slides 4.5% as geopolitics rattle investors

Pakistan's stock market came under renewed pressure during the outgoing week, as escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran and a sharp surge in global oil prices triggered broad-based selling, pushing the benchmark KSE-100 index down by 4.5% week-on-week (WoW) to 162,994 points. On a day-on-day basis, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) commenced the…

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Credit flow weakness limits growth potential

LAHORE: Pakistan’s macroeconomic conditions are showing signs of stabilisation, supported by a moderate growth recovery and improved external buffers, though the outlook remains fragile amid inflationary pressures and global uncertainties. Within this environment, the more critical issue lies in the allocation of private-sector credit rather than its overall availability, says ICMA Research and Publications. In…

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PM Shehbaz orders operationalisation of virtual asset regulatory system

Stresses regulatory system to boost investor confidence in digital economy sector in meeting with PVARA chairman Minister of State and Chairman Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Bilal bin Saqib calls on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday. Photo: PMO Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the early and full operationalisation of an effective, internationally…

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SBP reserves jump $730m on Eurobond

KARACHI: Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) increased by $730 million during the week ended April 24, 2026, supported primarily by Eurobond proceeds. According to data released on Thursday, the SBP’s reserves climbed to $15.83 billion, reflecting an improvement in the country’s external liquidity position after recent pressure when…

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FBR’s tax shortfall hits Rs683b

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has allowed Pakistan to pass on the impact of the remaining agreed Rs53-per-litre increase in petroleum levy in two phases, as the tax shortfall of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has further widened to Rs683 billion in this fiscal year. According to an earlier understanding, the entire increase…

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War can cost Pakistan $10b to $68b

ISLAMABAD: The Middle East conflict can cause $10 billion to $68 billion annual losses to Pakistan’s economy, and inflation could hit 17% in an extreme oil price volatility situation, said an economist in a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance on Thursday. The three different impact scenarios that Ali Salman, who is…

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PSX sinks 2,830 points on oil, geopolitics

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) plunged on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index tumbling 2,830 points, as escalating Middle East tensions and a sharp spike in global oil prices triggered broad-based selling and dampened investor sentiment. At the close of trading, the KSE-100 index posted a sharp decline of 2,829.70 points, or 1.71%, and…

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