CCP clears PIA acquisition by consortium

. ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the proposed acquisition of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIA) by PIA Equity Limited, a special purpose vehicle formed by a consortium including Arif Habib Corporation, Fatima Fertiliser, Lake City Holdings, City Schools and AKD Group, according to a statement issued on Wednesday. The transaction…

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The cost of being formal in Pakistan

Formal sector and salaried class pay high taxes because they are visible, while undocumented and big fish remain comfo View of business offices and under construction residential apartments in Karachi, Pakistan September 23, 2025 Photo: Reuters ISLAMABAD: I run the kind of business Pakistan says it wants and needs. I produce goods, employ people, file…

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Maori MPs face suspension after haka protest in New Zealand parliament

Listen to article WORLDWIDE: A group of Indigenous Maori lawmakers could soon be banned from New Zealand’s parliament after staging a haka protest against a divisive race relations bill, drawing sharp condemnation and reigniting debates over indigenous rights. In November, 22-year-old Maori Party MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke ripped up a copy of the proposed “Treaty Principles Bill” during…

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Money is there, just not in budget

ISLAMABAD: We are done with the annual ritual of crafting the numbers, attempting to prove economic growth yet adding to the numbers of poverty, debt and unemployment. It is called the Annual Budget, interestingly. Another regular ritual takes place every few months. A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) arrives, greeted with the kind…

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IRSA okays 15% Kharif shortfall

View of the Sukkur Barrage formerly known as the Lloyd Barrage, as flood water passes through, following monsoon rains and rising levels of Indus River in Sukkur, Sindh province. Photo: REUTERS ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has approved a projected water shortfall of up to 15 per cent for early Kharif 2026, while…

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Colombia, Portugal through to last 32

Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez had a goal ruled out for offside late on in the entertaining 0-0 draw with Portugal. Photo: AFP VANCOUVER: Colombia finished top of World Cup Group K after playing out a highly-entertaining end-to-end 0-0 draw with Portugal on Saturday. Colombia will feel hard done by nevertheless as a marginal offside ruled out…

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Attock refinery shuts main crude unit as traffic curbs in Islamabad disrupt supply

Company says US-Iran delegations’ visit halted oil tanker movement, disrupting crude supply, dispatches and operations Attock Refinery gained the most from its competitors in July. Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) has announced the shutdown of its main crude distillation unit following disruptions in oil supply and product dispatch caused by traffic restrictions in Islamabad ahead of…

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