Sindh CM backs $100b export target

Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday threw his weight behind the business community’s ambitious vision of taking Pakistan’s exports from around $30 billion to $100 billion, declaring that the target was “absolutely achievable” provided the country harnessed Sindh’s enormous indigenous energy potential and implemented…

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Loans rise bypasses small farmers

Concerns persist as 21.4% credit rise tilts to production but development lending lags KARACHI: Agricultural credit disbursement rose 21.4% year-on-year to Rs2.79 trillion during July-May FY2025-26, indicating stronger formal-sector financing of agriculture, but the composition and distribution of lending continue to raise questions about its impact on long-term farm productivity and financial inclusion. While new…

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FX reserves edge up to $22.5b

KARACHI: Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves increased by $23.7 million during the week ended August 7, 2026, reaching $22,498.3 million, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan. Foreign reserves held by the central bank rose by $14 million to $17,057 million. Net foreign reserves held by commercial banks increased by $9.7…

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Exporters urge govt to address cost pressures

Apparel sector becomes uncompetitive due to fuel price uncertainty, costly power and gas LAHORE: The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA) has urged the government to take immediate measures to address the growing cost pressures and logistics disruptions affecting Pakistan’s export-oriented apparel sector. In a statement, PRGMEA North Zone Chairman Imran Salahuddin said…

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Govt mulls tokenisation of real estate, other assets

Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. Photo: Reuters/ File ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb met Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) Chairperson Dr Sohail Munir to discuss digital transformation, digital finance and measures to improve access to finance through technology, a statement from the Ministry of Finance said on Thursday. Aurangzeb emphasised the…

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PSX ends with mild losses, lacks triggers

KARACHI: The benchmark KSE-100 index closed over 200 points lower at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday as the market remained largely range bound amid a lack of fresh positive triggers. The index shed 0.73% for the week. Market breadth remained weak, with more stocks declining than advancing. At the close of trading, the…

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Leghari launches innovation programme

Leghari invited young Pakistanis to submit their ideas through the Innovation Hub digital platform Minister for Power Sardar Ayaz Leghari addresses a press conference. SCREENGRAB/ File ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has officially launched Pakistan’s first National Power Sector Innovation Programme, with Innovation Hub serving as the programme’s dedicated digital platform, an official…

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Kazakhstan offers wheat to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kazakhstan have agreed to accelerate implementation of existing agreements and MoUs to transform them into concrete trade and investment opportunities, a statement from the Ministry of National Food Security and Research said on Thursday. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer…

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Pakistan seeks 50% price cut for Iran gas

In a bid to kick off work without any hiccups, Chinese companies would become partners in building the gas pipeline, which would snake through 1,100km with transmission capacity of 1.2 billion cubic feet per day. PHOTO: FILE ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has asked Iran to make up to 50% reduction in the price of gas to be…

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