Steps underway to facilitate businesses

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan has emphasised that small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) constitute the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and remain central to the strategy for sustainable economic development. He said the government was undertaking comprehensive measures to empower SMEs, improve ease of doing business and…

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Gold prices in Pakistan Today

Gold prices rose in both international and local markets on Thursday, while silver prices remained stable. In the international bullion market, the price of gold increased by $36 per ounce to reach $4,113. According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price of gold per tola in the local market rose by…

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‘Acquired land cannot be repurposed’

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has held that private land acquired for a specified purpose may not, as a general rule, be diverted to a different purpose at the discretion of the beneficiary or its successor-in-interest. “Although we have no hesitation to observe that the acquisition of land under the Act being an exercise…

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IMF keeps growth forecast low at 3.5%

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday kept Pakistan’s economic growth forecast unchanged at 3.5% for the new fiscal year, while warning about the possibility of a renewed Middle East conflict that could heighten price volatility. In an update to its World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, the IMF showed Pakistan’s economic growth rate at…

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PSDP spending surpasses revised allocation by Rs92b

Key ministries exceed budget authorisations, putting IMF-mandated primary surplus target at risk An employee counts Pakistani rupee notes at a bank in Peshawar, Pakistan August 22, 2023.Photo: Reuters ISLAMABAD: The federal development spending shot up to Rs912 billion, exceeding the downward revised allocation by Rs92 billion, after key ministries incurred more expenses than their authorisations…

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K-P CM orders review of ‘privileges’ bill

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has ordered a review of controversial amendments to the K-P Assembly Members’ Powers, Privileges and Benefits Act, 2026, following widespread public and media criticism and directed that all contentious provisions be reconsidered in consultation with parliamentary leaders. Addressing a meeting of the provincial cabinet on Wednesday, CM Afridi…

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SBP targets Rs1.5tr SME credit

Atif Bajwa called on banks to reflect honestly on shortcomings and invest more aggressively in technology and human capital. “Technology is fundamentally changing the way banking is done… Yet, as an industry, we are still not investing enough in technology.”. photo:file KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has set an ambitious target to raise…

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Floods, reservoir breach kill 39 in southern China

Casualties reported across Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, which borders Vietnam At least 39 people have been killed and nine others remain missing due to floods, which also triggered a reservoir breach, in southern China, local authorities said Thursday. The casualties were reported across the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, which borders Vietnam, state-run media reported. The…

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Pakistan, Croatia to expedite opening of visa facility in Islamabad

PM voices desires to expand cooperation in trade, investment, information technology, connectivity, agriculture Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman speaking at a joint press briefing in Islamabad. SCREENGRAB Pakistan and Croatia are working to expedite the opening of a Croatian visa processing…

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PSX sheds over 900 points in mid-session trading

Index touches an intra-day high of 182,276.81, low of 179,411.35, indicating volatility in session KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a bearish trend during midday trading on Thursday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index declining by over 900 points amid profit-taking and cautious investor sentiment. The KSE-100 Index stood at 180,701.35 points, reflecting a loss…

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