Govt may allocate funds in budget to cope with natural disasters, other such expenses The government wants to accelerate economic growth to lower rising poverty and unemployment, but the IMF was of the view that Pakistan has not yet reached a stage where it can afford sustainably higher economic growth. PHOTO: Reuters ISLAMABAD: The government…
Finance ministry retains full role in budget preparation; PM’s review committees are advisory in nature Reports circulating in certain media outlets regarding the role of the deputy prime minister in the budget-making process have been described as misleading and contrary to facts by official sources. Sources clarified on Thursday that the establishment of a high-level…
A view shows oil pump jacks outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia June 4, 2023. Photo: Reuters Oil prices gained more than 1% after President Donald Trump said he would not be much more patient with Iran and as concerns persisted over ship attacks and seizures despite Tehran saying about 30 vessels had…
KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China are expanding cooperation across 21 priority sectors with investments exceeding $1.5 billion, reflecting the growing strength of the strategic economic partnership between the two countries, Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi has said, according to statements issued on Wednesday. Speaking at a high?level interaction organised by the Foreign Affairs Liaison Office (FALO)…
IT minister stresses e-commerce, digitisation can help expand economy significantly ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Wednesday said Pakistan’s ongoing digital transformation under CPEC 2.0 carries significant potential to expand the national economy through data-driven policymaking, digitisation and growth in e-commerce. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the IBI Pakistan…
Business leaders urge honest budgeting as industrial slowdown, external pressures intensify LAHORE: As Pakistan heads towards the federal budget 2026-27 amid growing regional uncertainty and persistent economic fragility, nearly the entire business community, economists and business analysts are warning that the country’s external account pressures are once again beginning to intensify. There are fears that…
KARACHI: Pakistan equities on Wednesday experienced a volatile session as early optimism gave way to selling pressure over geopolitical concerns. The benchmark KSE-100 index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) opened on a positive note and displayed resilience during early trading, but it later turned bearish and directionless as investors remained cautious amid geopolitical uncertainty…
ISLAMABAD: US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur has expressed Washington’s interest in expanding economic cooperation with Pakistan, noting that American companies are keen to explore long?term investment opportunities in the country, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday. Kapur, accompanied by US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A…
The government on Wednesday handed over the responsibility of making the new budget to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar after it found the initial work below par, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also began its own scrutiny of the new tax proposals. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a Dar?led committee to "review, analyse…
A drone view of drilling rigs in Midland, Texas, U.S. June 11, 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS Oil prices rose on Thursday, with markets focusing on the high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to see if it will yield any positive result on the Iran war, which has significantly disrupted global…