News

Anticipating a ‘normal’ Kharif season

Wheat crop’s per acre yields may face challenges in 2023. Wheat is a major Rabi crop and its sowing usually ends by November. Yet it was still being sown till the end of December, which may impact its yields. The Sindh government decided to provide certified seed and fertiliser to farmers since unusual rainfall coupled with a dysfunctional drainage system spelt disaster in the province’s right

Govt hikes wheat flour price by 62pc in utility stores

The government has increased the prices of wheat flour, sugar and ghee by 25 to 62 per cent for sale through the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) with immediate effect to reduce the impact of untargeted subsidies. The beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) would be exempt from the price increase, while the limit for subsidised purchases from the USC has also been curtailed

Govt to borrow record Rs4.8tr via treasury bills in first quarter

Amid a revenue setback in December and higher expenditure, mostly for debt servicing, the government plans to borrow a record Rs4.8 trillion in the first three months of 2023 through market treasury bills (MTBs). According to the auction target calendar issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on New Year’s Eve on Saturday, it will hold a total of seven auctions beginning Jan 3 (tomorrow) — a

Stocks stage 468-point rally on year-end buying

Share prices rebounded on Thursday as investors scooped up value-yielding stocks. Arif Habib Ltd said the benchmark index traded in the green territory throughout the day as participation from investors remained on the higher side. The stock market witnessed some volatility during the last trading hour, but healthy volumes were still recorded across the board. “The market is expected to be v

The question of privatisation

WHEN I wrote my columns on the six pillars for growth, people pointed out areas I had missed, including privatisation of state-owned enterprises. Since most SOEs lose money, I thought this topic was covered under the pillar of prudent fiscal and exchange policies. Upon further reflection, however, I should have added privatisation as a separate pillar required for growth. Here it is. Before dis