AS 2023, what the farmers call a disastrous year, wears out, they do not have much hope for 2024 as well. They list expected problems they are expected to face next year, some of them existential in nature: rising cost of production, market cartelisation, profiteering, price crashes, scarcity of seeds, bad and deteriorating governance and agriculture falling out of ruling elite — except of course
AFTER a tumultuous 2023, most people remain “cautiously optimistic” about Pakistan’s economic outlook as we enter the new year, waiting with bated breath for a new government to take office. Last week, we had an interview with Muhammad Ali Tabba, Lucky Cement’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and one of the most dynamic businessmen this country has ever produced, to know his thoughts on Pakistan’s e
The year 2023 ended with no major relief for consumers in essential commodities as the government failed to show any serious efforts to control rising prices at various levels. The unbearable burden of electricity and gas bills has decimated the purchasing power of people who were already reeling with skyrocketing inflation. In the entire year, consumers witnessed only one significant reduct
The caretaker government decided to keep the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) unchanged for the first fortnight of the new year. According to a statement issued by the finance ministry, the per-litre price of petrol will remain at Rs267.34 and that of HSD at Rs276.21 until mid-January. The ministry said the government had left the prices unchanged on the recommendation of the Oi
Bullish sentiments prevailed in the stock market for the second consecutive session, propelling the KSE-100 index above the 62,000-point level on Thursday. Topline Securities Ltd said the positive momentum spurred significant buying interest across various sectors, particularly power, banking, oil and gas and cement. Key contributors to the upward trend included the Hub Power Company Ltd, Ba