News

Banks’ quarterly profits surge

MCB Bank Ltd said on Wednesday its earnings for July-September clocked in at Rs19.6 billion, up 112 per cent from a year ago. The jump in profitability was due to improved total income, according to Arif Habib Ltd. The bank’s bottom line expanded 34pc on a quarter-on-quarter basis. It also announced a dividend of Rs8 per share, which takes the total dividend paid so far in 2023 to Rs21 per s

Manufacturing certificates of assemblers suspended

The Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) has reportedly not renewed the manufacturing certificates of automobile assemblers who have failed to meet export targets. Under the Auto Policy 2021-26, the manufacturers shall export 10 per cent of their import value by June 2026. To achieve this target, nearly 2pc addition in export is mandated so that total export shall be 10pc in five years

SBP imposes fines on four banks for rule violations

Enforcement actions in the July-Sep­tember quarter against four banks by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) resulted in penalties worth Rs83 million, down 76.3 per cent from the fines of Rs350.8m imposed in the preceding three-month period. The central bank takes “supervisory enforcement actions” when banking entities become non-compliant with regulations. It usually imposes penalties but may als

Oil edges up

Oil prices rose about one per cent on Wednesday on worries about the conflict in the Middle East escalating. Limiting gains, the United States reported increa­sed crude stockpiles as demand worries stemming from gloomy economic prospects in Europe weigh. Brent futures rose $1.07, or 1.21pc, to $89.14 a barrel at 1:16 p.m. (1716 GMT). US West Texas Interme­diate (WTI) crude rose 69 cents to $

15m high earners are not paying taxes: FBR chief

A staggering 15 million individuals, including agricultural income earners, are currently not paying any tax, the Federal Board of Revenue chairman disclosed on Wednesday. “This figure represents a significant portion of the population that remains outside the tax net,” Zubair Tiwana told a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance. It was chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla.