News

Stocks extend losses ahead of policy rate cut

The stock market on Monday continued its losing streak for the sixth straight day ahead of the monetary policy announcement later in the evening and persisting gloomy investor sentiments associated with challenging budgetary proposals in line with IMF conditions to secure another bailout. Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation said stocks closed under pressure amid pre-budget uncertainty and c

Budget 2024-25: How the budget is being tailored to appease IMF

With the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seeking visible improvements in revenue generation from Pakistan, the government has been forced to contemplate the potential impact of proposed measures on salaried individuals and crucial economic sectors, amid a dearth of fresh ideas about how to boost income. Discussions with Pakistani and IMF officials, as well as US-based economists, indicate tha

Macro stability, but at what cost?

At the rele­ase of the Pakistan Econo­mic Survey for FY24 on Tuesday, Finance Min­ister Muhammad Auran­g­zeb boasted of the econo­mic stability achieved during the outgoing fiscal year. The nation’s GDP is estimated to grow by 2.38pc against a contraction of 0.2pc in FY23, the current account deficit has been contained to an estimated $200 million against the projection of $6 billion, foreign e

Ambitious taxation target: tall order for a low-growth economy

IN LINE with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) demands, the Shehbaz Sharif government has reportedly set a massive tax target of Rs12.9 trillion for the incoming fiscal year, more than 41 per cent higher than the collection projected for fiscal 2024. This new tax target will require additional revenue measures of at least Rs2 trillion and, despite a projected 30pc increase in the Federal

Think tank calls for simplifying tax system

The newly formed Tax Reforms Commission — a joint venture of two state-run and private think tanks — on Monday called for a stable and predictable tax regime through simplification and harmonisation of the tax system instead of arbitrary budgetary measures targeted at revenue enhancement, to facilitate taxpayers and tax payments and build government trust. A joint report prepared by the commiss