News

Convoluted intrigues of venture capital funding

In the world of startups, attention spans are usually short-lived, just like the apps they build out. One day, you’d be a star, getting media attention left right and centre, speaking at conferences and being named in the Forbes 30 under 30. The following month, you could be facing legal proceedings on charges of fraud. Yet, one company has managed to keep everyone hooked for close to two years

Regal Auto to assemble first electric SUV

The Engineering Development Board (EDB) has granted Regal Automobiles a licence to assemble the country’s first electric SUV at its Lahore plant. The locally assembled electric SUV, the Seres 3, would be available in two variants: the Seres 3 (3.5), equipped with a 49kWh battery and a 5-seater capacity, and the Seres 3 (4.0), featuring a 54kWh battery with the same five-seater capacity. The Ser

PPL receives $6m in Iraqi block settlement

PPL Asia E&P B.V. (PPL Asia), a subsidiary of Pakistan Petroleum Ltd (PPL), has reached an amicable $6 million settlement with Midland Oil Company (MdOC), a state-owned Iraqi oil entity, for Block-8 in Baghdad. This settlement marks the conclusion of their Exploration, Devel­opment and Production Service Contract (EDPSC) for Block-8 in Iraq, which expired in May 2022. PPL, in a stock filing

Competition Commission of Pakistan okays merger of two security printing companies

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the acquisition of 100 per cent equity shares of the National Security Printing Comp­any Ltd (NSPC) by Paki­stan Security Printing Corporation (Pvt) Ltd (PSPC), marking a pivotal step in the reorganisation of Pakistan’s security printing sector. PSPC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), is entrusted with printi

Oil extends gains on Mideast tensions

Oil rose above $80 on Monday on Middle East tensions while equities slid in New York as political and interest rate concerns dented the recent rally. Brent North Sea crude, the international benchmark oil contract, went above $80 per barrel for the first time since late August. Oil futures have experienced recent volatility, with Brent slumping under $70 last month on concerns about weak dem