News

Maritime plan positions Gwadar as regional hub

Pakistan has reaffirmed its focus on integrating the New Gwadar International Airport with the port as part of the five-year Maritime Affairs Action Plan (2025-2029), aiming to transform Gwadar into a regional trade and transit hub. The commitment was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Wednesday. The plan, aligned

Government raises Rs200bn out of Rs1tr bids

The government exceeded its borrowing target in the treasury bills (T-bills) auction held on Wednesday, raising Rs201.8 billion against Rs175bn, but kept cut-off yields largely unchanged. The auction saw bids surpassing Rs1tr, though the amount raised remained within the targeted range. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), a total of Rs1,071bn in bids were submitted, with the governme

Islamabad, Tehran sign protocols, eye $10bn trade

Pakistan and Iran have signed a series of crucial protocols aimed at dismantling tariff and non-tariff barriers, expanding electricity exchanges, and strengthening communication channels to increase bilateral trade volume significantly. The protocols were signed at the conclusion of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission (JEC) held in Tehran. Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and

Sugarcane crop faces growing pest threat

Pyrilla and whitefly infestations have become a significant threat to sugarcane production across Pakistan due to rising humidity levels. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has warned that delays in controlling these pests could cause irreversible damage to the crop. The ministry has urged sugarcane growers to take immediate preventive and control measures. Farmers are advised

Advent of satellite internet held up by red tape

With at least five companies interested in entering the Paki­stani market, the Pakistan Telecommu­nication Author­ity’s (PTA) spadework for launching satellite internet services in the country is almost complete. However, a final requirement — registration of the service providers with the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) — has yet to be fulfilled, holding up large amounts of