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Business confidence remains weak despite upturn: survey

Business confidence in Pakistan is on the upswing, according to the latest Business Confidence Index (BCI) survey released by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) on Tuesday. Wave 24 of the OICCI survey conducted from October to November indicated a seven per cent overall improvement over the preceding wave held in March-April. The survey paints a “nuanced picture”

Concerns abound as KE seeks licence for 20 years

K-Electric on Tuesday pleaded for a non-exclusive distribution and supplier licence for the next 20 years amid concerns from some consumers if such an instrument would ensure affordable and sustainable electricity to even the lower income groups and what would be the safeguard mechanism. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) held the public hearing and would come up with its

GDP figure under PDM rule ‘turns negative’

Pakistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) had contracted by 0.17 per cent rather than growing by 0.29pc during FY23 under the PDM-led coalition government while GDP growth in FY22 under the PTI regime was slightly higher than previously estimated. This was officially confirmed on Tuesday by the National Accounts Committee (NAC) which also approved the first quarter (July-September 2023-24) GDP gr

World Bank urges Pakistan to look at big picture

The World Bank on Tuesday cautioned Pakistan against short-term measures like domestic debt restructuring and attracting one-time investment through a new civil-military initiative, without addressing the country’s ‘big picture issues’ through reforms aimed at improving larger business climate, taxation and human capital. The “creation of a new institution is no quick fix” to bring investment w

725-point rally tosses index to new peak

Trading began on Monday on a positive note with the benchmark index closing just shy of the psychological milestone of 60,000 points. Arif Habib Corporation analyst Ahsan Mehanti said stocks traded at another all-time high amid institutional interest in buying companies across the board. Investors reacted positively to strong economic data on the falling current account deficit and surging fore