News

Textile exports drop for second month

Pakis­tan’s textile and clothing exports declined by 1.75pc year-on-year in May, marking the second consecutive monthly contraction and pushing overall sector growth into single digits for the ongoing fiscal year, largely due to mounting production costs and unresolved structural challenges. Export proceeds from the textile sector totalled $1.53bn in May, down from $1.55bn in the same month las

Govt approves sugar imports

In a bid to stabilise soaring sugar prices and curb market volatility, the Sugar Advisory Board on Monday approved the import of 500,000 tonnes of the commodity, amid concerns over supply chain disruptions and alleged non-compliance by millers. The decision was taken at a board meeting chaired by Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, who announced that all forma

PM orders special bodies to promote cashless economy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the formation of three specialised committees — the Digital Payments Innovation and Adoption Committee, the Digital Public Infrastructure Committee, and the Government Payments Committee — to promote a cashless economy across the country. These sub-committees will present recommendations to facilitate payments between citizens and businesses, rai

GB govt presents Rs148.6 billion budget for FY26

The Gilgit-Baltistan finance minister on Monday unveiled the region’s Rs148.63 billion budget for fiscal year 2025-26. The budget was presented by Speaker Nazir Ahmed Advocate. Addressing the session, Finance Minister Muhammad Ismail said Rs88.19bn has been allocated for non-development and Rs37bn billion for development expenditures. As per the minister, the region will get Rs80bn in fed

Finance Minister Aurangzeb unveils measures to offset impact of relief to salaried class

As the government announced a modest tax relief for the lower income slabs, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday introduced three new tax measures in the National Assembly to offset its revenue impact — part of the country’s ongoing commitment to remain within the fiscal parameters agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In his winding-up speech, Mr Aurangzeb informed the Na