News

Rupee hits two-week low at Rs278.70/$

The Pakistani rupee ticked down by Rs0.06 to close at a two-week low of Rs278.70 against the US dollar in the interbank market on Tuesday, marking the second consecutive day of decline. According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the domestic currency has cumulatively depreciated by Rs0.16 against the dollar over the past two days. In the open market, the Exchange Companies Associa

IMF pours cold water on Punjab\'s cheap power plan

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slapped Pakistan with a slew of new conditions regarding energy subsidies and provincial budgets after Punjab took a "fiscally reckless" decision to give Rs45 to Rs90 billion electricity subsidies for two months. Government sources told The Express Tribune on Monday that the global lender imposed at least three critical-nature conditions on the Punjab g

Privatisation key to DISCOs reform: experts

Energy experts are advocating for privatisation as a crucial step in reforming Pakistan's electricity distribution companies (DISCOs). A consultation organised by the Parliamentary Forum on Energy and Economy gathered key stakeholders to discuss the future of DISCOs. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq addressed the global challenge of power tariffs, stressing that past loadshedding issues deterr

Finmin Aurangzeb outlines Pakistan\'s path to sustainable economic growth

Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has reaffirmed the government's commitment to steering the economy toward stability and sustainable growth. Speaking at a recent media briefing, Aurangzeb addressed the country's ongoing economic challenges and the efforts being made to overcome them. He highlighted that despite the difficulties, significant progress has been made, particularly

Inflation decline

THE headline CPI inflation declined to a 34-month low in August to 9.6pc, providing more space to the State Bank for the third consecutive policy rate cut later this month. That the CPI inflation has finally eased below 10pc into single-digit territory on decreasing prices of non-perishable goods and a high base effect from last year does not mean prices have started to drop or stopped from ris