ISLAMABAD: The Privatisation Commission has taken significant steps in advancing its reform agenda by initiating the process for the appointment of financial advisers for four power distribution companies and two power generation plants, while also receiving expressions of interest (EoIs) from eight parties seeking management control of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Ltd (PIACL). These developments…
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to finalise a national industrial policy at the earliest, aiming to increase production and provide sustainable solutions to challenges facing the sector. Presiding over a meeting on the promotion of the industrial sector, the premier stressed that the policy must be completed in consultation with all…
The upcoming budget is expected to mark a shift in Pakistan’s economic direction, from an inward-looking, protectionist stance to a more outward-orientated, globally competitive approach. Such a transition is complex and will take time to deliver tangible results, so it is natural for questions and concerns to arise. Foremost among them is whether these reforms are truly…
ISLAMABAD: The government has flagged a series of critical risks to next year’s budget and medium-term outlook, including slower than targeted GDP growth, inflation shocks, exchange rate volatility, lower revenue buoyancy, debt servicing costs, poor performance of state-owned entities (SOEs) and unexpected climatic and other natural disasters. In a written statement on fiscal risks placed…
Ministry projects revenue to grow 7-9%, but parliament questions WB model ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday claimed a drastic 52% cut in import duties will lead to exports rising faster than imports, while revenues will grow by one-tenth. However, it admitted these projections are based on calculations by the World Bank. Proceedings of the National…
Wants income tax threshold raised to Rs1.2m ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Finance reviewed the Finance Bill 2025 on Wednesday and recommended a zero-rated tax on the income of up to Rs1.2 million and rejected a proposal to impose tax on individuals doing small online businesses. During a meeting, chaired by its chairman Saleem…
FPCCI proposed the restoration of the fixed tax regime as it was not incorporated in the budget Senior Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), Saqib Fayyaz Magoon, along with Vice Presidents Asif Sakhi and Aman Paracha, strongly criticized the recently presented federal budget in a joint press conference,…
Five-year policy expected to save up to 2.7bn litres of petrol annually The federal government has unveiled the key features of Pakistan’s new Electric Vehicles (EV) Policy 2025, aimed at reducing reliance on imported fuel, supporting clean transportation, and fostering local industry. The five-year policy, part of the broader green energy transition, is expected to…
Price of a tola of 24-karat silver decreases to Rs3,820 The price of gold in Pakistan and globally saw another minor drop for the fourth consecutive day. According to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association, the price of 24-karat gold per tola saw a slight decrease of Rs460 on Thursday to reach Rs358,595….
KSE-100 Index surges to an intraday high of 121,745.30, gaining 1,279.37 points, or 1.06% KSE-100 Index surges to an intraday high of 121,745.30, gaining 1,279.37 points, or 1.06 | The equity market rebounded on Thursday as investors reacted positively to the federal cabinet’s approval of a record circular debt resolution plan and new foreign financing…
