Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday signed an Early Harvest Programme (EHP) to reduce tariffs on eight agricultural items for one year, laying the foundation for a broader preferential trade agreement (PTA) between the two countries. The EHP, which takes effect on Aug 1, will remain in force for one year and is renewable. It also allows for the future inclusion of additional items, making it
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to intensify enforcement efforts to boost revenue collection during the current fiscal year and ensure the achievement of the annual target. The directive was issued during a meeting chaired by the premier to review progress on FBR reforms. He received a detailed briefing on the status of key tax reform initiatives an
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has launched a major digital transformation initiative to improve public universities across the country. This project aims to replace old, paper-based systems with modern, digital solutions. For many years, students, teachers and university staff have faced delays and difficulties in everyday tasks like course registration and getting academic
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday slashed treasury bill (T-bill) yields by up to 39 basis points, signalling possible room for a policy rate cut in the upcoming monetary policy meeting scheduled for July 30. Despite maintaining the benchmark interest rate at 11pc since May, the central bank’s latest T-bill auction reflects a shift in market sentiment, with expectations rising for mo
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs Division (EAD) expressed concern on Wednesday over the privatisation of profit-making power distribution companies (Discos) and the financial loss incurred from generating surplus electricity. The committee, chaired by MNA Muhammad Atif, also reprimanded the National Highway Authority (NHA) for the absence of its chairman and Comm