Banks urged to focus on private credit

SBP governor says reorientation needed, cites low credit penetration despite Rs69tr assets SBP Governor Jameel Ahmed during a press conference. Photo: SBP Meta KARACHI: Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has urged banks to reorient their business models towards stronger retail deposit mobilisation and greater private-sector financing, emphasising that the banking sector has a critical…

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Imran hospital transfer ‘drama’ riles up PTI

Sister alleges Imran being tortured in jail PTI decides to file contempt plea in SC Reaffirms Sept 27 long march MEDIA TALK: Sisters of ex-PM Imran Khan address a news conference in Islamabad. PHOTO: AFP ISLAMABAD: In a high-stake overnight drama, a seemingly reluctant government took incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan from Adiala Jail…

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Led by energy stocks, PSX gains 575 points

Late-session interest helps KSE-100 advance 0.33% but it couldn’t break resistance band KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended Friday’s session on a firm note as the benchmark KSE-100 index rose 575 points to close near 177,170. The index spent the first half of the day trading sideways before attracting buying interest later, when it touched…

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Baloch leaders reject new provinces proposal

QUETTA: Political leaders in Balochistan have strongly opposed proposals for creating new provinces on administrative grounds, alleging that such moves were aimed at gaining control over the province’s natural resources. They also warned against attempts to mislead public opinion through unelected and non-political individuals on sensitive constitutional and political matters. The leaders were speaking at…

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Jaffer denied relief in Noor murder case

Pakistani-American Zahir Jaffer (C), convicted of rape and murder charges, arrives in a court in Islamabad. Photo: AFP ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued its detailed judgment dismissing a review petition filed by convicted murderer Zahir Jaffer against his death sentence in the Noor Mukadam murder case, observing that he had committed an…

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Kundi urges modern weapons for K-P police

. PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has called for equipping the provincial police with modern weapons, advanced technology and additional resources to effectively combat terrorism, saying the force was playing a frontline role in maintaining peace despite extraordinary security challenges. He was speaking to a 33-member delegation of Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) of…

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Shafi Jan accuses Centre of defying courts

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information and Public Relations Minister Shafi Jan on Friday accused the federal government of openly violating court orders concerning the medical treatment and transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, saying the move amounted to contempt of court and undermined the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. In a…

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K-P Assembly approves digital payments bill

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Promotion of Digital Payment Act 2026, aimed at transforming the province into a cashless economy, while a stormy provincial assembly session witnessed a heated confrontation over a quorum call and the suspension of a PML-N lawmaker. Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam introduced the digital payments bill in…

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K-P seeks WB loan for flood protection projects

. PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to seek a loan from the World Bank to finance irrigation rehabilitation and flood protection projects in areas affected by recent floods. Approval for obtaining the loan had been placed on the agenda of the provincial cabinet meeting. However, as the meeting was postponed, the proposal will now…

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