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President Zardari pledges support for Chinese new energy vehicles

President Asif Ali Zardari assured a major Chinese car maker on Tuesday that the governm­ent would provide policy support for new energy vehicles (NEV), electric buses and local production of components. In a meeting with Yin Tongyue, the chairman of Chery Automobile Company Ltd, the president encouraged the firm to explore joint ventures in electric buses, mini trucks, green energy solutions a

Govt opens path for new RLNG connections

The government on Tuesday asked the gas utilities and Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to start processing new gas connections to consumers on RLNG-based monthly tariff at the earliest. The Ministry of Energy (Petr­o­leum Division), in a notification to Ogra and two gas utilities — SNGPL and SSGCL — conveyed that the federal cabinet in its meeting on Sept 10 relaxed the moratorium impose

Mashreq Bank entry marks push towards digital economy: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday stressed the urgent need to modernise Pakistan’s economy through digital tools, calling for a shift from conventional systems to a digitally driven model. Speaking at the launch ceremony of UAE-based Mashreq Digital Retail Bank in Islamabad, the prime minister said transitioning to a digital economy would enhance efficiency and expand financial inclusion

Development budget hits historic low, warns Ahsan Iqbal

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has deplored a massive decline in allocation of funds for development, stunting economic growth and job creation and has linked clearance of new foreign-funded projects to prior certification for availability of additional rupee cover. The minister has conveyed to the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) that no new foreign-funded projects would be acceptable for consid

SC questions parliament’s power to slap super tax

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, a member of the five-judge Supreme Court constitutional bench, on Tuesday questioned whether the National Assembly could be granted specific authority under the constitution to enact tax legislation that operates outside the financial year. Headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, the CB was hearing multiple petitions filed by taxpayers challenging the constitutional vir