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Initiatives for insurance sector discussed

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has directed digitalisation of the whole insurance sector, including life and non-life companies. While prioritising the growth and expansion of the insurance sector, Commissioner Insurance Aamir Khan highlighted innovation, digitalisation and data accessibility as core objectives of the plan. He apprised the industry’s representative

Petroleum prices likely to be kept steady

ISLAMABAD: The petroleum prices are estimated to generally remain stable for the next fortnight starting March 16, informed sources said. They said the premium on petrol import had increased to $12.15 per barrel from $10.45 in February but exchange rate and international product prices remained range bound. The premium on the import of high-speed diesel (HSD) has remained unchanged at $6.50 per

Mobile banking transactions surpass Rs11tr in October-December

KARACHI: The central bank has revealed a significant upswing in digital banking transactions during the second quarter (October-December) of the ongoing fiscal year, with the number of mobile app-based transactions surging 29 per cent to 280 million and internet banking transactions rising 15pc to 57m compared to the previous quarter. The value of mobile banking transactions during the three mo

Costly energy deepens consumers’ economic pain

The cost of living has gone up significantly amid surging utility bills and transportation expenses as consumers witnessed a mixed trend in prices of food items over the last Ramazan. As per data from the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), the average national price of a 20kg flour bag currently stands at Rs2,500-2,960 as compared to Rs1,295-3,000 prevailing on 1st Ramazan in 2023. Wheat 10kg bag

Aurangzeb emphasises digitalisation of tax system

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday stressed the urgent need for digitalisation of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to enhance transparency and efficiency in tax collection. During an introductory meeting with tax officials at the FBR headquarters, the minister deliberated on a range of proposals, a key one being the inclusion of retailers’ and wholesalers’ incomes in