News

Govt plans to activate $1.5 billion uplift fund

The caretaker government plans to get going Pakistan Development Fund Ltd (PDFL) — a $1.5 billion state-owned shell entity — to provide an alternative financing source to public sector development projects through divestment of government stakes in public sector and public-private partnerships (PPP). The entity was created in June 2014 with inflows of $1.5bn financial support from Saudi Arabia

Rupee’s rise spurs dollar inflows

The regular appreciation of the rupee has compelled exporters to sell their dollars in the banking market, which has helped the exchange rate remain stable, said sources in the financial sector. The financial sector also noted another confidence boost with hopes attached to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), as business delegations from Gulf countries have started visiting Paki

Onion shoots to Rs240 per kg amid unbridled exports

As Pakistani exporters continue cashing in on the situation that emerged after the Indian ban on onion exports, local consumers are taking the hit of an improvement in foreign exchange earnings by paying up to Rs240 per kg for the commodity in the domestic markets. When India imposed a ban on Dec 8, 2023 till March 2024, local rates suddenly crawled up to Rs160-180 from Rs120-140 on intense buy

PSX rallies in first week of 2024

The equities market turned in a robust performance in the first outgoing week of the new calendar year thanks to positive developments on the economic front. Arif Habib Ltd said the stock market displayed notable resilience, experiencing a significant surge of 2,211 points on Monday, recording the second-highest absolute point increase and marking the highest surge on the first working day of a

Tougher challenge lies ahead

ALL eyes are on the general elections, now just a month away. But what will happen after the election will be far more consequential to the country’s future. Formidable challenges await the next government. The governing ability of the election winner will be constrained by the complex dynamics of a volatile domestic environment. This is characterised by persisting polarisation, the most seriou