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OECD ups world growth forecast

The OECD raised its 2024 world economic growth forecast on Monday but warned that the Middle East conflict posed a risk, with disruptions in Red Sea shipping threatening to increase consumer prices. The OECD now expects a 2.9 per cent expansion, up from 2.7pc in its previous forecast in November, as it sharply lifted the outlook for the United States, the world’s top economy. Global growth “

Surge in tyre smuggling perturbs local industry

The resurgence of smuggled tyres in local markets has perturbed the industry, which attributes the issue to falling imports following the rupee’s devaluation and has urged the government to curb the influx of tyres coming into the country from illegal channels. The chief executive of a key market player has regretted that smuggled tyres of all sizes are now easily available in the market. He la

Caretakers make record borrowing from banks

The caretaker government of Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has made a record borrowing of almost Rs4 trillion from banks so far. The economy, already crushed under a huge debt burden, may witness an unprecedented increase in borrowings at the end of 2023-24 on June 30 as the amount has already surpassed the total borrowed in the entire FY23. The State Bank of Pakistan’s data showed that t

Govt asked to issue passes to Pak-Afghan truck drivers

The Pak-Afghan Joint Cham­ber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) has suggested to the federal government that issuing special passes to truck drivers transporting goods between the two countries can resolve the concern of the security establishment. The PAJCCI has written a letter to the caretaker prime minister and suggested that to streamline and maintain smooth Pak-Afghan trade several measur

Stocks rally 415 points on surging exports

Late value-hunting on the back of positive economic numbers propelled the benchmark KSE 100-share index above the 62,000 level on Thursday. Topline Securities Ltd said continuing the overnight momentum, the equities began trading on a negative note as the index made an intraday low at 61,765 levels by losing 215 points. However, at the day’s low, value hunters resorted to cherry-picking whic