The year 2023 ended with no major relief for consumers in essential commodities as the government failed to show any serious efforts to control rising prices at various levels. The unbearable burden of electricity and gas bills has decimated the purchasing power of people who were already reeling with skyrocketing inflation. In the entire year, consumers witnessed only one significant reduct
The caretaker government decided to keep the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) unchanged for the first fortnight of the new year. According to a statement issued by the finance ministry, the per-litre price of petrol will remain at Rs267.34 and that of HSD at Rs276.21 until mid-January. The ministry said the government had left the prices unchanged on the recommendation of the Oi
Pakistan’s kinno export this season is likely to shrink by 50 per cent from 450,000 tonnes a few years ago. The country would earn only $100 million instead of $220m despite a good crop of 2.75m tonnes versus 1.75m tonnes last year. The issues of quality and shelf life have deeply impacted the exports.“From the last year, the quality of fruit has dropped significantly from the previous years
The Asian Development Bank will assist seven countries of Central and West Asia, including Pakistan, to enhance the role of the private sector in the delivery of inclusive, accessible, adequate, affordable and climate-resilient housing ecosystems that also champion the needs of disadvantaged population groups. Approving the regional technical assistance of $500,000, the ADB says its team will e
Headline inflation accelerated for the second consecutive month in December, rising to 29.7 per cent year-on-year from 29.2pc in the previous month, primarily due to soaring prices of essential kitchen items and electricity rates. In December, power rates saw a 15.76pc increase, LPG rose by 2.62pc, and the 520pc spike in gas prices in November further contributed to inflation. Vegetables such a