News

Govt sees marginal easing of inflation

The Ministry of Finance said on Tuesday that inflationary pressure is expected to marginally ease out month-on-month due to smooth domestic supplies, unchanged energy prices in November and a stable exchange rate. Further, the recent Kissan package has made an optimistic crop outlook which will decelerate food inflation in the months ahead. Moreover, the food supply chain disruption caused b

Textile exporters hope for revival after dull Christmas season

Textile exporters in Pakistan, like their regional counterparts, struggle to be merry this Christmas season, as a buying freeze abroad has hit all segments, from apparel, denim and knits to home textiles, though they hope things will get better in the coming months. “This time around, we did not get Christmas orders,” says Sohail Pasha, chairman of the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association.

Ishaq Dar says Pakistan can be interest-free in 5 years

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that Pakistan could become interest-free in five years as he urged the banking sector to move towards and promote Islamic banking. He expressed the views while addressing a seminar at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Karachi where speakers spoke at length about interest-free banking. In April, the Federal Shariat Cou

Saudi Aramco discovers two gas fields

Saudi Arabia’s energy minister said Saudi Aramco had discovered two new natural gas fields, Awtad and AlDahna, in the country’s eastern region, state news agency SPA reported on Wednesday. Awtad was discovered southwest of the Ghawar field, and gas flowed from one well, Awtad-108001 well at a rate of 10 million standard cubic feet daily, plus 740 barrels of condensate, and another well, Awtad-1

Oil up $2 on tighter supply

Oil prices rose by more than $2 on Wednesday on signs of tighter supply, a weaker dollar and optimism over a Chinese demand recovery. But the likelihood that Opec+ will leave output unchanged at its upcoming meeting limited the gains. Brent crude futures rose $2.34, or 2.82 per cent to $85.37 per barrel by 1455 GMT. The more active February Brent crude contract rose by 3.04pc to $86.81.