Business

ISLAMABAD: The National Tariff Commission’s (NTC) final determination in the soda ash dumping investigation has triggered criticism from the downstream industrial consumers and trade stakeholders, who describe the injury determination as legally flawed, economically unsustainable and contrary to the commission’s established practice. The respondents, including the Soap Manufacturers Association, chemical manufacturers, International Silicate and the…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi called on Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to discuss economic cooperation and investment promotion, according to a statement on Wednesday. Hashmi informed the minister that Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) valued at over $20 billion had been signed between Pakistani and Chinese entities, with many progressing into formal agreements. He…

Exports decline 6.8% to $30.1b as imports surge 17.6%, exposing structural weakness KARACHI: Over the past decade, exports grew by a mere 37.4%, up from $21.9 billion in FY2016 to $30.1 billion in FY2026. In the same period, imports surged 69.1% to reach $69.5 billion, causing the trade gap to balloon by 105.2% – the…

ISLAMABAD: The government has transferred 11 properties worth Rs14.2 billion, including seven situated abroad, to the new buyers of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), who also want to make Islamabad their new business hub, said the Privatisation Commission on Tuesday. The Rs14.2 billion sum is Rs4 billion more than the Rs10 billion cash that the new…

Running alongside the exhibition will be the Digital Textile Printing Industry Expo LAHORE: Punjab Industries Minister Shafay Hussain will attend the 11th Colour & Chem Expo 2026 as chief guest, as the two-day exhibition opens on July 18-19 at the Lahore International Expo Centre, according to a statement issued on Tuesday. The event, organised by…

Investors absorb geopolitical shock, return to blue-chip stocks despite US-Iran tensions A blistering opening rally at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) lost steam on Wednesday as investors opted to lock in profits after pushing the benchmark KSE-100 Index up by more than 3,000 points in early trade. Despite surrendering a significant portion of those gains,…

Pakistan restricts import of goods from countries using forced, compulsory labour ISLAMABAD: The government has again amended the Import Policy Order to restrict the use of forced or compulsory labour in the manufacturing of goods in a bid to avoid potential tariff hike by the Trump administration. Pakistan is one of 60 economies that have…

Oppose inclusion of auto sector in FTA talks with Thailand. PHOTO: AFP The proposed overhaul of tariffs under the National Tariff Policy (NTP) 2025-2030 has sparked intense debate within Pakistan’s auto industry, with manufacturers warning that the changes could dismantle the vendor base and manufacturing capabilities built over four decades, potentially leading to irreversible losses…

KARACHI: Gold prices in Pakistan declined on Tuesday despite the fact that the global market surged more than 2% after softer-than-expected US inflation data boosted hopes of a less hawkish stance by the Federal Reserve. According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association, gold per tola was quoted at Rs424,136 after falling Rs5,600 during…

KARACHI: Massive selling eclipsed trading at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday as escalating US-Iran tensions and soaring oil prices sparked panic, dragging the KSE-100 index down by more than 6,400 points. The market remained under pressure since the opening bell, with investors offloading shares across the board amid fears that the geopolitical situation…