News

Zardari calls for deeper Pak-China cultural ties

President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to work with China and other natio­­ns to expand cultural exchanges, strengthen creative industries and promote understanding and a culture of tolerance. He said culture remained a vital bridge to peace, prosperity, and a shared future for humanity. The president addressed the Second Golden Panda Awards International Cult

Shabbar Zaidi warns crypto could serve as hawala alternative

Pakistan cannot regulate cryptocurrencies within its current financial system, as the State Bank tightly manages foreign exchange, but virtual assets may still serve as an alternative to hawala, said former Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman and economist Shabbar Zaidi. Speaking at a session on Adopting Digital Currency and Cryptocurrency in Pakistan: Possibilities and Concerns, organised

Textile exports hinge on European Union

Pakistan’s textile and apparel exports presented a mixed picture in the first two months of FY26, with steady growth in the European market offset by stagnation in the United States, modest gains in the United Kingdom, and volatility in smaller destinations such as the UAE and Bangladesh. The Pakistan Textile Council’s latest report, released on Saturday, underscored the industry’s heavy relian

Changing habits reshape food delivery baskets

Inflation and changing consumption patterns are reshaping online food and grocery orders in Pakistan, according to foodpanda Pakistan CEO Muntaqa Peracha. “During Covid-19 we expanded rapidly, launching four verticals in 18 months instead of one in two years,” he recalled. “Impulse purchases defined that period — snacks, cigarettes, small-ticket items.” Average order sizes have since increas

Pakistan seeks partners for digital future

The Pakis­tan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA) has invited Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from leading global exchanges and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to participate in the country’s emerging digital economy. Established under the Virt­ual Assets Ordinance 2025 (Ordinance No. VII of 2025), PVARA is mandated to formalise and regulate virtual assets in line with internation