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Pakistan joins global elite with new payment system

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has officially launched PRISM+, a new Real-Time Interbank Settlement Mechanism, to modernise the country’s payment infrastructure and promote a digitally inclusive economy. This initiative marks a key milestone in the ongoing development of Pakistan’s financial market infrastructure. The launch event, held at the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIB

Support pledged for auto sector

The government is taking steps to bolster the country’s industrial base and has called upon the auto sector to become more competitive, stated Haroon Akhtar, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production. Addressing the Auto Parts Summit 2025, organised by the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (Paapam), Mr Akhtar outlined a

Exports to nine regional states rise

Exports to nine regional countries grew by 5.10 per cent in the first month of the current fiscal year compared to the same period last year, driven largely by increases in shipments to China, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. This growth is attributed to recent shifts in the regional political landscape, though trade relations with these nations have been strained in recent years due to restrictive g

Govt raises Rs1.3tr, no rate cut in sight

Liquidity was in pursuit of investment opportunities as banks and the corporate sector collectively invested Rs1.385 trillion in Treasury bills (T-bills) on Wednesday. The government’s latest auction not only exceeded its target but also raised more than the amount maturing, reflecting strong demand for short-term government debt. Despite the overwhelming demand, the government kept the cut-

Slow pace of work on CPEC cause for concern: PML-N leader

Senior PML-N leader and president of Pakistan ex-servicemen society retired Lt Gen Abdul Qayyum has noted that the slow pace of work on the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a cause for concern, but said that ties with United States have been repaired without compromising their commitments to China. “It is true, the pace of CPEC Phase-II is slower than it should be