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Data protection bill to strengthen IT sector: Qamar

Commerce Minister Naveed Qamar has said that the promotion of information technology and data sciences are key to future challenges and soon the National Assembly will pass the Data Protection Bill 2021, which will lead to the strengthening of the IT and digital economy in the country. Addressing the US-Pakistani Diaspora Conference on Accelerating Silicon Investments in Pakistan organised by U

SBP intervention limits rupee’s fall after cap lifted

The rupee dipped by 1.2 per cent to 243 against the dollar on Wednesday after foreign exchange companies lifted a price cap, which they said caused “artificial” distortions and created a black market, where the US currency was selling at higher rates. However, the rupee’s closing value was far higher compared to Rs252.5 in the early open-market trade on Wednesday after central bank’s interventi

Bike prices raised by up to Rs25,000

Pak Suzuki Motor Company Ltd (PSMCL) has increased motorcycle prices by Rs20,000-25,000 effective from Feb 1. The new rate for GD110 S, GS150, GSX125 and GR150 is Rs264,000, Rs286,000, Rs384,000 and Rs410,000. The company, however, did not disclose any reason for the price hike in its letter issued to authorised dealers. PSMCL had stopped the new booking of bikes from Jan 20 for the time bei

Pakistan can buy Russian oil despite restrictions, says US

The United States has reiterated that Pakistan can purchase oil from Russia at a discounted price even though it has not signed a Washington-backed price-cap on Russian petroleum products. US State Department’s spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at a Tuesday afternoon news briefing that Pakistan can also take advantage of the concessions Washington has given to other countries for buying oil

US help sought for IMF programme revival

Pakistan on Wednesday sought the US support in reviving the IMF programme to facilitate soft landing of its economy marred by exogenous challenges like floods and adverse global economic conditions. During a meeting on Wednesday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar asked a visiting US delegation to help convince the Washington-based multilateral lender to be lenient towards Pakistan in restoring the pro