News

Circular debt inches up to Rs2.4tr

The power sector’s circular debt touched Rs2.396 trillion at the end of the first three quarters (July-March) of the current fiscal year, showing a modest Rs2 billion increase since July 1, but almost Rs398bn lower compared to March 2024. A Power Division report on circular debt for the period ending March 2025 showed that payables to power producers increased by around Rs33bn to Rs1.633tr, up

World Bank okays $108m more financing for rural access, tourism projects in KP

The World Bank (WB) has recently approved additional financing for Pakistan, amounting to $108 million to execute two projects supporting access to social services, markets and jobs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The international lender also greenlit $78m in additional financing to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Accessibility Project (KPRAP) along with $30m to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Deve

IMF board to meet on May 9 to discuss Pakistan’s programmes

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board will meet on May 9 to discuss the country’s staff-level agreement for a new $1.3 billion arrangement under a climate resilience loan programme, along with the first review of Pakistan’s ongoing $7bn bailout programme, the global lender said. According to the Fund’s website, this will be the first “review under the Extended Arrangement Under

Pakistan set to become the next major tech destination: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to becoming the next major tech destination in light of $700 million pledged in foreign investment in the IT sector at the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) conference in Islamabad. Delegates from around 45 countries arrived in Islamabad to participate in the DFDI conference, the first-ever DFDI conference held in

PM Shehbaz touts $700m in foreign investment for IT sector

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday hailed what he described as around $700 million in new foreign investment pledges in the information technology sector, urging international stakeholders to continue supporting Pakistan’s journey as it is ready to lead the global digital economy. Addressing the Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI-2025) conference, PM Shehbaz declared: “Pakistan is no