Banks have taken back about 48 per cent of the money they lent to the private sector within a month, indicating that the private sector has no plans to enter the market with new ideas or ventures. From July 1, 2024, to Jan 17, 2025, the private sector borrowed Rs1.398 trillion from banks, but most of the lending in the last two months of CY2024 (Nov and Dec 2024) was carried out by banks to avo
While playing down falling industrial production and revenue shortfalls in the first seven months (July-January) of 2024-25, the government on Thursday hinted at a spike in the consumer price index next month. “Inflation is anticipated to remain within the range of 2-3pc for February. However, there are prospects of a slight increase to 3-4pc by March,” said the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in its
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has proposed drastic changes to the Export Finance Scheme (EFS) to prevent misuse of the facility and tighten tax enforcement. At the outset, the FBR proposed withdrawing the facility for iron and steel scrap importers. The amendments were introduced through SRO204 of 2025 in the Customs Rules 2001. The draft amendments will be finalised within seven days a
The government on Thursday hinted at higher electricity prices in the coming summer owing to lower-than-usual water availability for hydropower and the resultant greater dependence on imported fuels. During a public hearing on Rs2 per unit negative fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for electricity consumed in January, it was officially reported that a negative FCA of Rs1.23 per unit was currently (bi
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) faced selling pressure on Wednesday due to uncertainty surrounding tax reforms ahead of the first review under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team arriving next week. Topline Securities Ltd noted that after two days of strong buying by local mutual funds, the market took a breather as investors opted for profit