Pakistan’s trade deficit with the Middle East widened 10.87 per cent to $4.781 billion in the first four months of 2024-25 from $4.312bn owing to the rise in petroleum imports from the region. According to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan, the soaring trade deficit would concern policymakers mainly because of rising petroleum products from the region in the current fiscal year. Pe
Minister for Industries, Production and National Food Security Rana Tanveer has taken notice of farmers’ complaints regarding the low prices of sugarcane offered by sugar mills and sought a report from provincial cane commissioners on sugar prices. Chairing a meeting of the Sugar Advisory Board on Saturday, the minister emphasised that the exploitation of farmers would not be tolerated and str
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Saturday that the growing burden of state-owned entities (SOEs) has cost the country Rs6 trillion in the last 10 years, making it extremely difficult to live with. Speaking at the Overseas Investors Chambers of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), the minister insisted on privatising these SOEs but did not explain why the government could not move in this
Green banking represents a transformative shift in the financial sector, where banks realign their investment strategies to prioritise sustainable technologies and environmentally friendly initiatives. These financial institutions are at the forefront of sustainable banking, actively promoting clean energy and seeking innovative solutions to combat climate change. With the Air Quality Index (AQ
Last month, the Punjab Assembly took the lead in amending its agricultural income tax (AIT) law, increasing the maximum tax rate from 15 per cent (in Punjab and Sindh) to align with federal income tax rates for individuals and businesses, which reach up to 45pc. Other provinces are still deliberating similar changes, all in response to strings attached to the ongoing International Monetary Fund (I