The non-implementation of the Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) has thrived the usage of smuggled sets in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan region, a source in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) told Dawn on Tuesday. Unlike the rest of the country, the key mobile phone operator in AJK & GB region is the Special Communications Organisation (SCOM), which is o
Dwindling purchasing power amid record-high inflation and massive devaluation has put a serious strain on e-commerce companies operating in Pakistan. According to a soon-to-be-released research report on the state of business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce in Pakistan, firms are struggling to even maintain their existing sales levels, let alone grow their operations. “Discussions with e-commer
The stock market witnessed a mixed trading session on Wednesday as share prices opened on the lower side owing to the negative news flow. Arif Habib Ltd said share prices moved in both directions afterwards while investors remained vigilant in view of the ongoing political uncertainty. Their involvement stayed sluggish throughout the trading session with volumes drying up on the mainboard of
The banks have failed to meet the surging demand for cash amid higher inflows of foreign exchange in Ramazan. It was also noted that dozens of automated teller machines (ATMs) were out of cash during the last two days as banks were not filling them up with the required cash. Currency dealers said the supply of cash from banks is either delayed or not provided when required. Banking customers
Imports of the petroleum group dipped 11.66 per cent year-on-year in the July-March period of FY23 owing to the sharp reduction in consumption as a result of the slowing down of the economy amid unprecedented inflation. The highest-ever increase in prices in the country’s history also contributed to lower consumption of petroleum products. At the same time, not only did the local production dec