ISLAMABAD: Commercial banks have shown little enthusiasm for the prime minister’s scheme to deliver subsidised electric bikes, approving only 4,075 applications, about 9% of those received, forcing the government to make major policy changes on Tuesday. With such a low approval rate, the government is set to miss its annual target of distributing 116,000 electric…
Large-scale manufacturing (LSM) posted a mixed yet broadly positive performance in March 2026, reflecting an uneven recovery in Pakistan's industrial sector. The latest provisional data show that while annual growth remained strong, short-term indicators pointed to volatility and underlying structural challenges. On a year-on-year (YoY) basis, LSM output increased by 11.09% in March 2026 compared…
Overall trading volume increased to 1.20billion shares compared with Tuesday’s total of 453.2million “Peace hath her victories, no less renowned than war.” The old adage rang true at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday, as easing geopolitical tensions ignited a strong revival in investor confidence, fuelling a powerful market rebound. The market opened on…
IOM official suggests aligning skills with global market demands, raising risk awareness LAHORE: Emphasising the need for safer and more structured migration pathways, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has urged Pakistan to prioritise regular migration channels, skill development, and financial inclusion to maximise economic benefits while reducing risks. Speaking at the launch of the…
Plan integrates climate resilience and green growth initiatives with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor ISLAMABAD: The government plans to double agricultural exports to China and the Gulf region by 2035 by adopting climate?smart techniques under the newly unveiled Pakistan Climate Prosperity Plan, according to an official document. The plan integrates climate resilience and green growth initiatives…
Finance minister discusses tax proposals, savings instruments, and regulatory reforms ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held separate meetings with delegations of the Mutual Funds Association of Pakistan (MUFAP) and the Insurance Association of Pakistan (IAP) to discuss proposals for the federal budget 2026-27, according to official statements issued on Tuesday….
KARACHI: Trading at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained highly volatile on Tuesday, as investors reacted with caution to fresh economic data and shifting intra-day sentiment. Pakistan’s trade deficit widened 3.82% year-on-year (YoY) to over $4 billion in April, which weighed on investor confidence. Soon after the opening bell, the benchmark KSE-100 index lost over…
Reserve of around 1b litres to ensure Australia holds at least 50 days of fuel to shield it from future supply shocks An oil products tanker passes the Sydney Opera House at sunrise in Sydney, Australia, March 21, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS Australia will spend A$10 billion ($7.22 billion) to boost its national fuel stockpiles and…
Brent crude futures fell $1.89, or 1.7%, to $107.98 a barrel, after dropping 4% in previous session A drone view shows the Malta-flagged tanker Agios Fanourios I, an oil tanker that sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, arriving in Iraq’s territorial waters off Basra, Iraq, April 17, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS Oil prices fell for a…
KARACHI: Gold prices in Pakistan extended losses on Tuesday, tracking mixed global cues as investors weighed geopolitical risks and monetary policy outlook, while the local market remained under pressure. According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association, the price of gold per tola fell by Rs2,100 to settle at Rs477,862. Similarly, the price of…