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PM Shehbaz sees Rs24tr annual revenue potential

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that the country had the potential to collect revenues of over Rs24 trillion against the annual tax target of Rs9.4tr. He said that around three times the annual revenue target was ‘going down the drain’ due to corruption, inefficiency, and negligence. This huge amount, he said, could be used to pay debts and construct hospitals, schools, universit

IMF mission expected in Pakistan this month to discuss new loan deal

The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) mission is expected to visit Pakistan this month to discuss a new programme, the lender confirmed on Sunday ahead of Islamabad beginning its annual budget-making process for the next financial year. Pakistan last month completed a short-term $3 billion programme, which helped stave off sovereign default, but Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has

Provinces unlikely to deliver promised Rs600bn to Centre

While the markup and dividend earnings of the federal government from the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) more than doubled in the first three quarters (July-March) of the current fiscal year, the provinces are unlikely to deliver the promised Rs600 billion cash surplus to the Centre if past trends are any indication. The government has collected about Rs227bn on account of markup from loans ext

Probe panel discusses wheat import scandal

ISLAMABAD: The first meeting of an inquiry committee, headed by the cabinet division secretary, on the alleged import of Rs330 billion worth of wheat was held here on Sunday, during which different aspects of the import and preservation of the stocks were reviewed. “The committee worked today on verifying data and documents,” Infor­mation Minister Attaullah Tarar said when contacted by Dawn.

Pakistan aims high as Saudi investors arrive

ISLAMABAD: A key Saudi delegation comprising dozens of investors has arrived in Islamabad on a three-day visit to explore investment opportunities, as Pakistan aims to court foreign investors to boost its exports in collaboration with Saudi companies. The delegation led by Saudi Deputy Investment Minister Ibrahim Almubarak was welcomed by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal and Petroleum Minister Musad