News

IMF review begins amid revenue gaps, reform delays

An Inter­n­ational Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Iva Petrova held a formal kick-off meeting with Pakistan’s economic team, headed by Finance Minister Muha­mmad Aurangzeb, to review the implementation of the $7bn Extended Financing Facility (EFF) and the $1.1bn Resilience & Sustainability Facility (RSF). The programme’s performance as of end-June 2025 — the period under review — has been mi

Govt rebuffs Aptma’s concerns on IGCEP

The Power Division has dismissed concerns raised by the All Pakistan Textile Mills As­­sociation (Aptma) regarding the government’s power generation planning, particularly the Indicative Gen­eration Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2025-35. In its comments sent to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), the Power Division rejected Aptma’s criticism, describing it as flawed and

Consumers to pay Rs2 under fuel tariff adjustment

After several months, a fuel cost adjustment will add Rs2 per unit to the burden of power consumers across the country, including Karachi, in October, despite more than 76 per cent power generation coming from cheaper domestic sources. Testifying before a public hearing, Rehan Akhtar, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) — a government subsidiary — said th

Interest-free loan scheme for e-bikes, rickshaws

The federal government has launched a cost-sharing, interest-free loan scheme for electric bikes, rickshaws, and loaders to promote energy efficiency and green technologies in the automotive sector. According to a circular issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday, the scheme titled Cost Sharing Scheme for Electric Bikes and Rickshaws or Loaders will provide interest-free loans to en

Gold hits Rs403,600 per tola

Gold prices reached a record high of Rs403,600 per tola on Monday, up Rs5,900 from Saturday, as consumers continue to face fluctuating rates announced by the gold trade body. According to the All Pa­­kis­­tan Gems and Jewel­lers Association (APGJSA), the official one-tola bullion rate peaked at Rs398,800 on Sept 23. However, traders were already quoting rates bet­ween Rs401,100 and Rs401,600