News

Rice-driven food exports jump 20pc

Pakistan’s raw food exports increased by 19.58 per cent to $3.15 billion during July-November FY25 from $2.64bn mainly owing to increased rice exports. Raw food exports have risen for the past 16 consecutive months despite unprecedented food inflation in the country’s history. As a result, consumers nationwide are paying higher prices for food items because of supply and demand gaps. On Thur

Branded ghee, oil makers raise prices by up to Rs100

The branded ghee and cooking product manufacturers have raised prices despite a bearish trend in palm oil import costs. A retailer said the price of branded ghee and cooking oil has increased by Rs80 per kg/litre to Rs570. He added that the hike is up to Rs100 per kg/litre in some big brands. Giving the reason for price disparity, Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) Chairman

Aurangzeb reassures small and medium enterprises of support

Fina­nce Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday reaffirmed the government’s steadfast commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The minister acknowledged the necessity of making difficult decisions to stabilise the economy, recognising their impact on businesses and individuals. According to a press release, the minister stated this during a visit to the Sialkot Chamber

Economy, not security, to drive country: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi says Pakistan cannot grow economically unless it becomes a fully functional democracy. Speaking at a session titled “Can Economic Progress and Democracy Coexist?” organised by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat) on Thursday, he said the countries that had prospered while being autocracies were not similar to Paki

PSX dives due to profit-taking

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday suffered a massive crash as it plummeted 3,790 points, marking one of the biggest single-day drops in history. The deep plunge sent shockwaves through the market, where extensive selling across key sectors triggered a sharp reversal of confidence. After briefly breaching the 116,000 mark earlier in the day, the KSE-100 index came under mounting pressur