News

Govt seeks $30b for gas production

Pakistan on Tuesday made a pitch for a $30 billion foreign and local investment in gas production aimed at puncturing a ballooning energy import bill projected to nearly double to $31 billion in seven years in a business-as-usual scenario. The appeal was made to foreign investors in presence of interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir. I

Hinopak Motors posts Rs244m loss, Exide earns over Rs900m

Hinopak Motors Limited (HML) posted a loss after tax of Rs244 million for the nine months ending December 2023 compared to profit after tax of Rs10m a year ago, the company said on Tuesday. This led to a loss per share of Rs9.83 against earnings per share of Rs0.41 in the same period last year. Hinopak’s sales of trucks and buses shrank to 240 units from 780, while revenue fell to Rs5.48bn f

Ensuring democratic continuity becomes costlier every time

THE success of general elections on Feb 8 hinges significantly on voter turnout, imp­acting both the democratic process and the public cost incurred. A robust participation rate, besides strengthening democracy, will validate the allocation of valuable reso­urces, both human and material, invested in this extensive nationwide endeavour. A low voter turnout could escalate the cost per voter — a

After ECP snub, caretakers leave FBR to elected govt

After the Elec­t­ion Commission of Pakistan (ECP) barred the caretaker government from moving ahead with its controversial plan to restructure the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), caretaker Finance Minis­ter Shamshad Akhtar said the restructuring roadmap approved by all stakeholders will be ‘operationalised’ by the elected government. The caretaker minister revea­led this plan during a televised

PM Kakar wants concerted efforts to explore oil, gas reserves

Emphasising the need for concerted efforts to explore onshore and offshore oil and gas reserves, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said on Tuesday the country has an abundance of natural resources to cater for domestic and industrial needs. Speaking at the Petroleum Conference as the chief guest, the prime minister reaffirmed the government’s readiness to contribute to infrastructure