News

Punjab to widen tax net to all services

To facilitate documentation of the economy, all services under the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) will be brought under the tax net, declared the provincial finance minister. Tax rate on all services should be uniform while the inclusion of exempted services in the tax net with a nominal rate would ensure the promotion of a documented economy, said Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, Finance Minister of Pu

NBP inclusion in FM index spurs investor confidence

On Wednesday, the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) upgraded Pakistan’s status by adding a new company from the country to its mainstream global Frontier Market (FM) index, a move that bolstered global investors’ confidence in Pakistan. Global investors, with funds totalling $10 billion, track this index to make investment decisions worldwide, including in Pakistan. With the additi

CCOE to discuss extension for refinery upgrades

The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE) is scheduled to meet on Thursday where it will consider an extension in deadline for signing implementation agreements with refineries for upgrading their plants. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will chair the meeting. According to sources, the CCOE will take up three agenda items including the circular debt report for February 2024, an incentive mechanism f

Pakistan’s debt soars to record Rs81tr

Pakistan’s total debt and liabilities increased at a double-digit pace to a new record of nearly Rs81 trillion during the past year, as the country grapples with finding new sources of financing to meet its growing debt servicing needs due to junk credit ratings. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Pakistan’s total debt and liabilities surged by Rs8.4 trillion as of the end of March

Dubai properties

DUBAI, with all its glitter and glamour, has long been a destination of choice for wealthy individuals looking to expand their property portfolio abroad. As a high-income developing market economy, as well as a ‘brotherly’ Muslim state, many Pakistanis see it as an attractive destination to live and put down some roots in. At the same time, however, the emirate seems to have become a haven for