News

Concerns raised over gas sale deal without bidding

MOL Pakistan, an operator and 10 per cent shareholder in Tal Block, Kohat, has finalised the sale of gas from the newly developed Razgir field, which is 65pc owned by the state-owned entities (SOEs), to the first privately owned gas firm — Universal Gas Distribution Company Ltd (UGDCL). This enables the Islamabad-based UGDCL to acquire about 50 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) gas for its pri

Russian gas era in Europe ends as Ukraine stops transit

Russian gas exports via Soviet-era pipelines running through Ukraine came to a halt on New Year’s Day, marking the end of decades of Moscow’s dominance over Europe’s energy markets. The gas had kept flowing despite nearly three years of war, but Russia’s gas firm Gazprom said it had stopped at 0500 GMT after Ukraine refused to renew a transit agreement. The widely expected stoppage will not

Industry offers divergent views on economic performance in 2024

Representatives of trade and industry appear to be div­ided over the country’s economic in­­dicators during 2024 as some belie­­ve that trading activities remained dismal while others say that one of the salient features of the outgoing year was that “Pakistan has managed to escape a possible default”. Notwithstanding the disputed mandate, regaining political stability was a notable achievement

Exports post modest rise of 0.67pc in December

Pakistan’s merchandise exports slowed for the second consecutive month in December due to a steep fall in international demand, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday. The growth momentum picked pace in July owing to improved orders and stability in the exchange rate. Demand from North America and European countries is anticipated to pick up pace from Janua

Stock market ends 2024 with historic 84pc gain

The KSE-100 index closed its final trading session of 2024 at 115,127 points on Tuesday, down 0.11 per cent (132 points), as profit-taking in key sectors trimmed gains from earlier in the day. Banks, fertilisers and exploration and productionstocks saw selling pre­s­sure, with companies like Fauji Fertiliser Company, MCB Bank, Bank Al Habib, Bank Alfalah and Engro Corporation leading the declin