KARACHI: Signs of political turbulence have intensified as the federal government hinted at imposing governor’s rule in PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid a deteriorating law and order situation driven by rising terrorist attacks. Read More: Stocks climb ahead of Trump’s inauguration Despite the uncertainty, equity investors showed remarkable resilience, pushing the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) higher for […]
Pakistan economy
Aurangzeb urges provinces to boost revenue for sustainable growth
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday cautioned against a “gold rush” approach to economic growth, stressing that Pakistan must prioritise sustainable, long-term reforms. He emphasised that both the federation and provinces must enhance their revenue contributions ahead of the crucial National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting on December 4. Read More: PM approves digital ecosystem […]
Government expresses cautious optimism as current account deficit surges 256%
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s current account deficit surged 256 per cent in the first four months of FY26, but the government expressed cautious optimism over the country’s economic outlook, citing steady export growth, remittances, and structural reforms. Read More: PSX opens higher as investors show cautious optimism The Ministry of Finance (MoF) reported that stubborn inflation remains […]
SPI-based inflation rises 4.32%
ISLAMABAD – Short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), rose 4.32 per cent year-on-year in the week ending November 27, driven by higher prices of edible oil, perishable food items, and energy products, official data showed on Friday. This marks the 17th consecutive week of upward movement in SPI-based inflation. Read More: Rising prices […]
High corporate taxes seen as hurdle to FDI, SIFC says
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s high corporate taxes are discouraging foreign direct investment (FDI), the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) said on Thursday, while the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) stressed that any adjustments must be linked to improved compliance to prevent potential revenue losses of Rs1.6 trillion. Read More: Tax revenue from electricity bills drops by Rs110 […]
Pakistan’s iron and steel scrap imports hit record high in October
KARACHI: Pakistan’s iron and steel scrap imports surged to a historic peak in October, reaching 381,991 tonnes — the highest monthly intake ever recorded. This surpasses the previous record of 366,610 tonnes set in September, signalling an uptick in steel bar production, a key indicator of renewed activity in the construction and infrastructure sectors. Read […]
CCP releases first-ever study highlighting gaps in Pakistan’s gold market
ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has released its maiden Competition Assessment Study of the country’s gold market, marking the first comprehensive, evidence-based examination of the sector’s structure, regulatory framework, and competitiveness challenges. The study was carried out by the CCP’s Centre of Excellence in Competition Law (CECL). Read More: Gold prices surge again across Pakistani […]
SBP governor urges outward-looking growth as Pakistan’s model faces strain
ISLAMABAD: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad on Wednesday urged businesses to expand into new markets and invest in innovation, warning that Pakistan’s existing growth model cannot support a fast-growing population of 250 million. He made the remarks while addressing a two-day ‘Dialogue on the Economy’ organised by the Pakistan Business Council (PBC). […]
Aurangzeb signals shift toward stable, sustainable economic growth
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has outlined a major shift in Pakistan’s economic strategy, moving away from the historically volatile pursuit of rapid five to six per cent GDP growth. Speaking at a two-day economic dialogue hosted by the Pakistan Business Council (PBC), he stressed that the country can no longer afford short-lived growth spurts […]
Pakistan’s widening current account deficit raises currency concerns
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s current account deficit has widened sharply in recent months, driven by surging imports and stagnant exports, raising concerns over the sustainability of the country’s external position. The growing imbalance is exerting pressure on the rupee, even as robust remittances continue to keep foreign exchange markets liquid. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has […]