News

ADB to provide Punjab with project readiness financing

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide the Punjab government with ‘project readiness financing’ to support the development of project pipelines and review government’s priority projects. This financing aims to ensure projects are well-prepared for ADB funding and implementation, potentially speeding up the process and disbursement of funds, according to the ADB. The $8.32 million fund

Govt expects investment in mines, export of refined copper to US

The government is expecting significant investment in Pakistan’s mines and mineral sector and export of copper following the recent bilateral tariff deal with the United States, it emerged on Sunday. During negotiations of the Pakistani team with the US authorities on reciprocal tariffs, the US side has showed interest to invest in the mines and minerals, including copper, Commerce Minister Jam

Smuggled goods, high energy costs cripple economy

The recent reduction in the State Bank of Pakistan’s policy rate to 11 per cent, nearly half of what it was in July 2024, has failed to generate enthusiasm among the country’s traders and industrialists. While the rate cut is seen as a step towards easing the cost of doing business, many in the sector argue that it remains uncompetitive compared to regional rates and does little to address the

China wants US to relax AI chip-export controls for trade deal: report

China wants the United States to ease export controls on chips critical for artificial intelligence as part of a trade deal before a possible summit between presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. Chinese officials have told experts in Washington that Beijing wants the Trump administration to relax export restrictions on high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips,

Debt Swap Hub’ is a major opportunity for Pakistan: UN official

Pakis­tan has a significant opportunity to convert its debt into climate investments through a new “Debt Swap Hub” launching in 2026, provided the country prepares by building institutional capacity and identifying high-impact projects, United Nations Department of Economic Affairs (DESA) senior official said on Saturday. The United Nations and its partners will roll out the dedicated hub for c