CPEC 2.0 targets green energy, industry

LAHORE: The focus of Pakistan-China cooperation has evolved from infrastructure development to industrialisation, technological advancement, green energy, and sustainable economic growth, said Adeel Munawar, Commercial Ambassador of the Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI). In a statement, he emphasised that while the first phase of CPEC successfully addressed critical infrastructure and energy challenges,…

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PSX makes slight recovery after sharp sell-off

KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday staged a thin recovery in a session marked by both investor concern and confidence, with the market demonstrating remarkable resilience after Monday’s sharp sell-off. The benchmark KSE-100 index successfully absorbed early selling pressure and reversed the momentum. Rather than extending the previous day’s downturn, value hunters viewed the…

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New motorway to cut KKH distance by 120km

13.5km Babusar Tunnel to be part of four-lane project reducing travel distance by 120km ISLAMABAD: The National Highway Authority (NHA) has approved the construction of a new 172-kilometre motorway from Mansehra to Chilas via Kaghan, Naran and Jhal Khand, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday. Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, who…

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PSX drops 375 points as selling pressure mounts

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a mixed early trading session on Wednesday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index remaining in negative territory. The KSE-100 Index declined to 170,646.92 points, losing 374.85 points or 0.22 percent from the previous close of 171,021.77. The index witnessed volatility during the session, reaching an intraday high of 171,624.45…

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FTO declares ‘voluntary’ tax deposits illegal

Allegtaion that Inland Revenue officials recovered large amount under coercive circumstances without lawful assessment ISLAMABAD: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has ruled that obtaining tax deposits from taxpayers during proceedings under Section 175C of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, without subsequently determining liability through the prescribed legal process, constitutes maladministration. The complaint was filed by…

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Oil sales see sharp 30-month drop

KARACHI: Pakistan’s oil marketing companies (OMCs) recorded their sharpest monthly sales decline since November 2023 as elevated petroleum prices, driven by the Iran-US war, forced consumers to curb fuel consumption and restrict travel to essential needs. “Elevated POL prices drove the sharpest volume decline since November 2023,” noted Bazif Memon, Energy Sector Analyst at Optimus…

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Mobile ‘tax trap’ stifles digitalisation

KARACHI: Pakistan’s heavy taxation of mobile services is creating a “tax trap” that is raising connectivity costs, suppressing mobile adoption and slowing the country’s broader digital transformation agenda, according to a new report commissioned by telecom group VEON. The study, prepared by Frontier Economics, argues that Pakistan’s telecom sector is among the most heavily taxed…

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Govt approves 4% growth target

ISLAMABAD: The government on Monday approved a tamed economic growth target of 4% for the new fiscal year after it could not fix chronic ills during the past four years holding back higher growth, and it projected imports crossing $70 billion amid growing external sector pressures. The Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC), the body mandated…

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