News

Senate committee proposes key changes to Virtual Assets Bill

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on Wednesday recommended that members and staff of the Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA) be barred from trading in virtual assets. The committee also suggested placing the authority under the Finance Division rather than the Cabinet Division. During discussions on the government’s Virtual Assets Bill 2025, PMLN Senator Af

Gold hits record Rs376,000 per tola

Gold prices in Pakistan surged to new all-time highs on Wednesday, continuing the upward trend in the global market. The price of 10 grams of 24kt gold reached Rs322,959, while one tola of the precious metal soared to Rs376,700, marking an increase of Rs5,144 and Rs6,000, respectively, compared to Tuesday’s rates. According to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), the

Govt raises Rs515bn as banks overbid

The government surpassed its target in Wednesday’s treasury bill auction, raising Rs515.2bn, with banks offering more than three times the targeted amount. However, despite the oversubscription, the cut-off yields remained largely unchanged, with a slight reduction of 14bps for one-month papers, bringing the yield down from 10.89pc to 10.75pc. The government raised Rs402.7bn through the dire

Cement, fertiliser power PSX to new peak

Despite a slump in exports and the devastating impact of recent floods, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its bullish trend, marking the fourth consecutive session of gains. The benchmark KSE-100 index surged past the 152,000-point barrier, reaching an all-time high, buoyed by strong performances from the cement and fertiliser sectors. Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation attrib

Envoy Natalie Baker urges US firms to invest in Pakistan

The acting US Ambassador to Pakistan, Natalie Baker, has urged American companies to invest in and expand their operations in Pakistan. Ms Baker praised the government’s efforts under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reform the economy and create a more investor-friendly environment. She also emphasised Pakistan’s strategic advantages, including its large consumer market, competitive labour cos