News

Oil prices plunge, Europe gas rates lowest since 2021

Global oil prices plunged on Wednesday over China demand concerns and European gas prices sank to their lowest levels since November 2021 as mild winter weather reduced demand. Crude prices extended losses from a day earlier, diving around five per cent, over concern about demand in the world’s biggest oil importer China, amid a steep rise in Covid infections in the country. At around 1600 G

Early market closures to squeeze delivery riders’ income

The recently announced energy conservation measures may turn into an occupational nightmare for thousands of riders engaged in the food and grocery delivery business nationwide. The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan envisages the closure of commercial markets by 8:30pm every evening. Riders say their incomes will nosedive if the cut-off is applied to the food delivery business as

Atta, chicken rates soar amid no sign of let-up

An uncontrollable up­ward trend in prices of wheat flour and chicken has left consumers high and dry as rates witnessed a fresh jump over the last few days. While prices of various flour varieties shot up to Rs140-160 per kg, that of live poultry reached Rs420 per kg amid lack of any official check on sellers who are raising prices at their whims. Millers now quote the rates of flour no. 2.5

Fears of healthcare crisis mount amid import restrictions

The Heal­thcare Devices Association (HDA) has warned the relevant authorities of disruption of medical and surgical treatment facilities across the country after the recent restriction making registration with the Drug Regula­tory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) mandatory for the import of medical and surgical equipment. “Drap has not been able to make decisions on most of the registration applica

Dar expects Saudi Arabia, China to beef up forex reserves by Jan-end

Saudi Arabia and China were set to beef up Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves much before the close of this month, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday and announced that the government would be shortly imposing flood levy on the affluent and a significant gain tax on banks’ foreign exchange earnings to ramp up revenue. “Our foreign exchange reserves by end-June would be much better t