Bilateral trade below $1b as KCCI proposes direct flights, enhanced banking channels KARACHI: Bangladesh High Commissioner Md Iqbal Hussain Khan has stated that relations between the two countries are witnessing positive momentum, reflecting a strong commitment by both governments to strengthen bilateral ties, according to a statement issued on Monday. Speaking during his visit to…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s struggling salaried class paid Rs420 billion in income tax in just nine months of this fiscal year, while the real estate sector contributed Rs197 billion despite overall sluggish activity during the past two years, according to provisional data compiled by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The salaried class’s economic hardships have heightened,…
Fitch on Monday kept Pakistan’s highly speculative credit rating of B negative unchanged against hopes for an upgrade and said that Islamabad’s role as a “ceasefire broker” will partly offset external account pressures despite $3.5 billion bilateral debt repayments this month. The rating agency first said that Pakistan has “repaid” $3.5 billion to the United…
Oil prices surge past $104 per barrel as Trump announces blockade on Strait of Hormuz KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) plunged on Monday in a subdued trading environment, as heavy selling pressure took a toll on market sentiment. The benchmark KSE-100 Index fell sharply by 5,353.67 points at the outset of trading. Visible fluctuations persisted…
With widespread damage to energy infrastructure in the Middle East, it is unclear how long global oil and gas markets will take to stabilise. What is already evident, however, is that the world will not return to the old normal, particularly for countries heavily dependent on energy imports from the region. The search for alternatives…
Pakistan treats AI largely as a software and skills initiative on grounds of energy crisis and lack of HPC centres ISLAMABAD: In March 2026, the White House published a new policy framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI), comprising a set of legislative recommendations for the US Congress. It reflects the current administration’s philosophy that AI regulation…
Goal of these companies is maximising shareholder value via dividend disbursement View of business offices and under construction residential apartments in Karachi, Pakistan September 23, 2025 Photo: Reuters LAHORE: A business firm is said to be financialised when it involves in financial activities. In other words, a business firm permanently expands its financial activities. This…
Over 90% of freight, 95% of passenger traffic moves by road; accidents are dangerous and unaffordable KARACHI: Road accidents in Pakistan have become a persistent national tragedy – one that unfolds daily on our highways, city streets and rural roads. Beyond the heartbreaking loss of life, these accidents impose a massive and often overlooked economic…
KARACHI: Pakistan’s commercial banking sector is bracing for a major financial shock, as a sharp spike in interest rate yields is expected to wipe out more than Rs600 billion in revaluation surpluses within a single quarter. A report by Optimus Capital Management, titled ‘Back to Square One’, warns that the rapid shift in the fixed-income…
Iran renewed attacks on the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, causing oil loading at the port of Fujairah to be at least partly halted after the third attack in four days. FILE IMAGE: PIXABAY ISLAMABAD: The oil industry has expressed fear that it is going to face an inventory loss of Rs100 billion, which will…