Bank profits sink on provisions
DIGITALISATION: Over the medium term, the sector is expected to benefit from regulatory pushes towards…
Bank profits sink on provisions
DIGITALISATION: Over the medium term, the sector is expected to benefit from regulatory pushes towards a documented, cashless economy, which should structurally enhance the low-cost deposit base. PHOTO:FIL KARACHI: Pakistan’s commercial banking sector is expected to face a squeeze on profitability in the second quarter of 2026 as elevated provisions, narrowing margins and weaker non-funded…
PM condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers, assures Riyadh of full support in call with MBS
Reiterates Pakistan’s unwavering support for Kingdom’s security, sovereignty, territorial integrity and prosperity Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif upon his arrival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on April 29, 2022. Photo: Reuters Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday condemned attacks carried out by the Houthi militia against Saudi oil tankers in…
President Zardari orders intensified monsoon preparedness nationwide
President Asif Ali Zardari. Photo: File President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday directed all federal, provincial and local authorities to intensify coordinated preparedness, rescue and relief measures as the country enters a critical phase of the monsoon season amid heightened risks of flash floods, cloudbursts, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides and urban flooding. In…
FinMin reviews reform progress with IMF leadership, reaffirms commitment to economic transformation
Discussions focus on reform agenda, including tax, energy sector reforms, privatisation, debt management Finance Minister Muhammad Auranzgeb held a series of meetings with senior International Monetary Fund officials including First Deputy Managing Director Dan Katz, Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke, Middle East and Central Asia Department Director Jihad Azour, and IMF Mission Chief for Pakistan…
Wildfire near Boston Bar community in Canada grows more than fourfold overnight
‘Based on today’s weather forecast, we are expecting another challenging day,’ says British Columbia Wildfire Service A wildfire near the Boston Bar community in Canada’s British Columbia province grew more than fourfold overnight as firefighters faced hot, dry conditions expected to fuel further intense fire activity, according to the British Columbia Wildfire Service on Wednesday….
Court rejects PTI plea in Nov 26 case
Cites repeated failure of PTI chairman to record statement, lack of supporting evidence ISLANAABAD: An Islamabad additional district and sessions court dismissed a private complaint filed by the PTI against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, some key ministers and policemen over allegations of killing party workers during the November 26, 2024 protest at Islamabad D-Chowk. Additional…
PSX remains in the green as KSE-100 gains over 100 points
KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange remained in positive territory by mid-day on Thursday, with the KSE-100 Index trading at 174,533.28, up 103.36 points or 0.06 percent from the previous close of 174,429.92. The benchmark index opened higher and touched an intra-day high of 175,237.59 before retreating to a low of 174,144.11. Trading activity was moderate,…
Death toll from flooding in India’s Assam rises to 41
With 10 new deaths in the last 24 hours, the death toll from floods in India’s northeastern Assam state rose to 41, officials said on Wednesday. A statement by the State Disaster Management Authority said the new deaths were reported from five districts. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said over 700,000 people were affected…
fm Dar, Australian counterpart discuss regional tensions, stronger bilateral ties
Earlier, Dar meets Omani FM, agree to strengthen collaboration through high-level exchanges, trade, investment Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar meets Australia’s Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) 2026 in Manila. PHOTO: FO Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Australia’s Foreign Minister…
Oil prices hover at six-week high as Middle East shipping risks escalate
The sun sets behind oil pumps outside Vaudoy-en-Brie, near Paris, France, March 18, 2026—REUTERS Oil prices rose more than 1.5% in Asian trade on Thursday to stand at their highest in more than six weeks, as Yemen’s Houthis targeted oil tankers in the Red Sea and the United States launched a new round of strikes…
