News

The cost of relief

ALTHOUGH bound by the IMF’s stern conditions, the federal government appears desperate to provide tax relief to middle-class salaried individuals as well as businesses, especially the real estate lobby, in the upcoming budget. This desire seems to have grown stronger in the aftermath of Pakistan’s recent tactical military win against India as the ruling party hopes to turn the ‘feel-good factor

Opec+ announces sharp increase in July oil production

Saudi Arabia, Russia and six other key Opec+ members announced on Saturday a huge increase in crude production for July. They will produce an additional 411,000 barrels a day – the same target set for May and then June – according to a statement, which is more than three times greater than the group had previously planned. In recent years the 22-nation group had agreed to daily reductions of

Stakeholders hail plan to set up body for maritime sector

Stakeholders have welcomed a new idea floated by Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry to set up a ‘maritime chamber of commerce and industry’ so that all players in this sector were brought on one platform. Speaking at the Pakistan Business Council Forum in Karachi on Saturday, the minister said the new chamber would promote the blue economy and enhance environmental sustainability a

Trump says will double steel, aluminium tariffs to 50pc

US President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would double steel and aluminium import tariffs to 50 per cent from next week drew ire from the European Union Saturday in the latest salvo in his trade wars aimed at protecting domestic industries. The EU warned it was “prepared” to retaliate against the latest tariffs, adding the sudden move “undermines ongoing efforts to reach a negotiated sol

Pakistan gets help for precision agri initiative

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) will assist Pakistan in enhancing its capacity for precision agriculture by establishing a centralised knowledge management system at the University of Agriculture in Faisalabad. This initiative aims to implement and promote precision agriculture practices that will contribute to climate resilience in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. Under the project, a comprehensiv