News

MoITT sets up 43 software tech parks

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) through the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) has established 43 Software Technology Parks (STPs) across the country, including in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. These parks host over 350 IT and IT-enabled Services (ITeS) companies, employing 18,000 professionals across a combined covered area of 1.9 million square feet. Not

Over-invoicing worth Rs69.5b unearthed

A massive money laundering scandal has been unearthed in the import of solar panels that has shown over-invoicing of Rs69.5 billion between 2017 and 2022. Officials of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) disclosed this while giving a briefing to the sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Senator Mohsin Aziz. The solar panels were

Small vendors\' business slumps

As Punjab's anti-encroachment operation is ongoing in full swing, the mounting toll of demolished livelihoods is now compounded by a visible slump in economic activity across once-thriving markets, raising urgent questions about the balance between urban order and economic survival. Initiated under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's directives, the drive has cleared sidewalks, roads an

Foreign currency reserves drop by $252m

Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves declined by $252 million, bringing the State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP) total holdings to $11.17 billion due to external debt repayments. As of February 7, 2025, Pakistan's total liquid foreign reserves stood at $15.86 billion, with the SBP holding $11.17 billion and commercial banks' reserves at $4.70 billion. "During the week ended on 07-Feb-2025, SBP res

Gwadar Port operations face hurdles

The government is facing a host of challenges in the way of operationalising Gwadar Port despite offering a lucrative deal to the Chinese port operator. In a report submitted to the prime minister, several challenges have been identified like the reluctance of international insurance companies due to security challenges, higher port costs and the lack of road and rail infrastructure. Despite