The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) heads of state summit underway in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin (Aug 31–Sept 1) showcases the group’s ambition to anchor what analysts describe as an ‘alternative model’ of multilateral cooperation within the rules-based World Trade Organisation (WTO) framework at a time of heightened global economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The bloc has s
Karachi’s population has crossed 20 million people, indicating the economic promise and perilous byproducts of the ambition to cash it. However, in these trials of the city’s resilience lies the immense potential for Karachi to become a model of regenerative urbanism. Regenerative infrastructure design Metropolitan cities must actively regenerate ecosystems disturbed through infrastructure d
Despite strong reservations from the ministries of finance and power, the government has approved a dollar-based guaranteed return on the transportation of petroleum products through the 477-kilometre Machike-Thallian-Tarujabba White Oil Pipeline, estimated to cost $300 million. The project will be executed on a government-to-government basis by a joint venture comprising Azerbaijan’s state-own
Wheat and flour prices have surged sharply in Karachi’s wholesale market, raising fresh concerns about food inflation and market supply, despite government assurances of sufficient national stocks. Wholesale wheat now sells for Rs90 per kg, up from Rs72 in mid-August and Rs62 in July. This increase has pushed the price of flour no. 2.5 to Rs97 per kg and fine flour to Rs103, compared with Rs81
The planned merger of Telenor Pakistan with Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) has faced further delays as the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) raised serious concerns over PTCL’s business ethics, funding sources, and lack of transparency in key documents. According to sources, the CCP has flagged PTCL’s failure to submit the required documentation and demanded detailed cla