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Cement sales slip 6.6pc as subdued construction activity persists

Construction activity remained subdued during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, with local cement sales dropping by 6.6 per cent to 27.46 million tonnes, compared to 29.4m tonnes in the same period last year. However, exports showed a significant improvement, rising by 28pc to 6.53m tonnes from 5.1m tonnes year-on-year, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manuf

Three nations pull $1bn from T-bills amid uncertainty

Only three countries withdrew nearly $1 billion from Pakistan’s treasury bills during the current financial year, with outflows almost matching total inflows. The near-parity between incoming and outgoing investment highlights growing investor caution despite relatively attractive returns. Efforts by the government to attract foreign investment have yielded limited results. Despite offering hig

US delegation to visit Islamabad for minerals investment forum

A US delegation headed by Eric Meyer, the senior official overseeing the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the State Department, will visit Islamabad from April 8-10, 2025, to advance US interests in the critical minerals sector at an investment forum. The Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan and strategic partners, is set t

Power supply to Makran from Iran resumes

The power supply to all three districts of Makran, including Gwadar, Turbat and Panjgur, was restored on Sunday after 24 hours of blackout. The power breakdown plunged the entire division into complete darkness after power supply from Iran via two 132kV transmission lines was suspended. Pakistan imports electricity from Iran under long-term contracts to meet electricity demand in the coastal

Over 50 countries contacted White House to start trade talks, says Trump’s adviser

More than 50 countries have reached out to the White House to begin trade talks, a top economic adviser to US President Donald Trump said on Sunday as US officials sought to defend sweeping new tariffs that have unleashed global turmoil. During an interview on ABC News’ ‘This Week,’ US National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett denied that the tariffs were part of a strategy by Trump to c