News

Govt body set to pinpoint culprits behind Track and Trace delays

A new committee formed by the prime minister to identify flaws and failures of the Track and Trace System (TTS) is likely to submit its report today (Tuesday). The committee, headed by Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal, will likely hold the TTS project directors responsible. The TTS is a software-based solution for tracking vehicles, loading units, shipments, and products throughout the entire

Govt tightens financial management

The federal government has announced stringent financial rules for all government entities, including ministries, divisions, departments, and agencies, to tighten control over cash through “sweeping arrangements” allowing the finance ministry to take over idle public funds in bank accounts. The major change introduced through the “Cash Management and Treasury Single Account Rules 2024” came wit

KE eyes Rs19 per unit hike to clear backlog

The Karachi-based K-Electric has sought approval to charge up to Rs18.6 per unit additional fuel cost from power consumers at an average monthly burden of about Rs2 per unit to mop up about Rs28bn additional funds and clear a backlog of about nine months (July 2023 to March 2024). In a series of petitions filed before the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), the KE presented th

Petrol, diesel prices likely to be cut by Rs9 per litre

The petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices are set to drop by about Rs5 and Rs9 per litre, respectively, on Tuesday mainly because of a fall in the international prices and import premiums. Informed sources said the prices of petrol and HSD had declined in the international market by about $3 and $5 per barrel, respectively, in the last fortnight. Depending on the final calculation of the in

IMF okays release of final $1.1bn SBA tranche

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday approved the immediate disbursement of approximately $1.1 billion to Pakistan. The board met in Washington on Monday and completed the second review under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for Pakistan, allowing for bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to about $3 billion. All board members favoured releasing t