CALGARY: Oil prices fell almost 6% to two-week lows on Monday as optimism grew that the United States and Iran were moving closer to a peace deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, even though Washington and Tehran played down hopes for an imminent breakthrough. Brent crude futures were down $6.12, or 5.9%, at…
KARACHI: Pakistani banks should follow the global trend of adopting artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to accelerate customer onboarding and strengthen Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance, with the aim of significantly expanding their customer base. AI?based systems enable banking institutions to attract new customers more efficiently, help prevent account misuse in both bank and wallet systems,…
Developments sent Brent futures rising more than 2% in Asian trade to $98.21 a barrel A pumpjack, used to help lift oil from a well, in the Permian basin near Midland, Texas, U.S., October 8, 2025 PHOTO: REUTERS Oil prices rose on Tuesday and stocks dithered as investor optimism over an imminent US-Iran peace deal…
Index surges nearly 3,900 points over regional optimism, robust investor interest KARACHI: In yet another powerful recovery, Pakistan equities on Monday extended their bullish momentum as strong buying interest lifted the benchmark KSE-100 index sharply higher, which gained nearly 3,900 points amid improving regional situation and investor optimism during a trading week shortened by upcoming…
PM Shehbaz says signing of agreements reflects the growing depth and diversity of Pakistan-China cooperation Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang witness the signing and exchange of several agreements, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), protocols, and cooperation documents in Beijing. PHOTO: PMO Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday…
Global trends show that listing a family-owned conglomerate allows original sponsors to smoothly cede control to professional management. This institutionalisation protects solid businesses from failing. photo: file KARACHI: The record-breaking, Rs5.8 billion and five-second subscription of the Service Long March (SLM) Tyres’ 75% share in the IPO highlights the massive pent-up demand for quality corporate…
Open competition forces firms to invest in productivity and innovation, not rent-seeking KARACHI: As the announcement of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, FY27, draws near, lobbies and special interest groups representing their respective industries and trade associations make a push for favourable fiscal policies to policymakers. Although the main focus is to lower…
While Pakistan can continue reforming its tariff regime over the coming years before pursuing major bilateral agreements, it cannot afford to ignore regional developments. photo:file ISLAMABAD: The summit meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping was overshadowed by rising tensions in the Middle East, yet trade issues remained high on the agenda. While…
Behavioural fixes like pre-filled returns and ring-fenced funds could boost compliance Research conducted by Australia’s tax authorities revealed that the first communication a new taxpayer receives affects their long-run compliance behaviour. photo: file ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s tax-to-GDP ratio has remained around 9% to 10% for several decades now – a figure that is alarmingly low for…
Formal sector and salaried class pay high taxes because they are visible, while undocumented and big fish remain comfo View of business offices and under construction residential apartments in Karachi, Pakistan September 23, 2025 Photo: Reuters ISLAMABAD: I run the kind of business Pakistan says it wants and needs. I produce goods, employ people, file…