Economic gains derailed by ME war

Trucks drive past cargo shipping containers at the Evergreen shipping terminal at the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California on September 13, 2025. The US Supreme Court ruled on February 20 that Donald Trump exceeded his authority in imposing a swath of tariffs that upended global trade, blocking a key tool the president…

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can CPEC deliver Phase II?

SEZs become critical, yet despite years of policy focus, most of these zones have not reached meaningful operational s ISLAMABAD: Why Pakistan’s next economic test lies in turning strategic partnership into industrial performance? Pakistan’s economic engagement with China is among the most stable and strategically significant pillars of its external relations. As the largest trading…

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$32b deficit reflects policy failure

A picture showing $100 bills. SOURCE: REUTERS ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s external sector has once again sounded a loud alarm. The country’s trade deficit surged to $31.988 billion in the first 10 months of FY2026 and $4.074 billion in April 2026, a massive increase of 43.5% month-on-month and 20.28% year-on-year. Pakistan recorded goods imports of $6.553 billion,…

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Govt plans 20,000 AI training programmes

KARACHI: The Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) has planned to launch 20,000 online training programmes in artificial intelligence (AI) across the country for fresh graduates, government officials, professionals from various sectors, teachers and freelancers through an advanced learning management system (LMS). The training programmes, spanning six to twelve months, will be introduced under the…

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IMF budget talks begin next week

The government has agreed to the need for a mini-budget if revenues fall short of expectations by end-December 2025, according to the IMF. Photo: file ISLAMABAD: Talks between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure approval for next year’s budget before its presentation in the National Assembly are set to begin on Wednesday,…

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Export-led growth key to cutting $32b deficit

Container cranes lie non-operational at the Chittagong Port in Chittagong on June 29, 2025, as export and import activities remained suspended due to an ongoing protest by employees of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) over reform issues by Bangladesh’s interim government. Photo: AFP LAHORE: Pakistan must focus on exports, industrial growth and economic reforms…

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Chinese investors eye Pakistan’s EV sector

Express interest in assembly, battery manufacturing as govt finalises EV Battery Policy ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan held a series of one?on?one business?to?business meetings with leading Chinese and Pakistani companies to promote industrial collaboration, investment and technology transfer in Pakistan, according to a statement issued by…

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Dairy sector pushes for export growth

ISLAMABAD: Representatives of the Corporate Dairy Farmers Association called on Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and briefed him on the progress, investment potential, and future expansion plans of Pakistan’s dairy and livestock sector, while appreciating the government’s continued engagement with the formal dairy industry. During the meeting, the delegation highlighted the transformation taking…

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