News

Petrol, diesel may see a fall of up to Rs15

Thanks to a significant drop in the international market, petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices are expected to decrease by about Rs15 and Rs9 per litre on May 15 despite increased import premiums. Informed sources said the prices of petrol and HSD had declined in the international market by about $8.7 and $4.3 per barrel, respectively, in the last fortnight. Depending on the final calculat

Talks begin with IMF on new bailout

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday kick-started negotiations on 24th ‘longer and larger’ bailout programme, starting with an anticipated upfront fiscal adjustment of more than Rs1.6 trillion (1.5pc of GDP) in the upcoming budget. Pakistani side, led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb comprised Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmed, Chai­rman Federal Board of

Attract retail investors to grow PSX

In these early signs of economic stability, current policymakers often cite the increase in KSE 100 levels as a sign of investor confidence. While this is correct, many blue-chip companies are trading at a fraction of their peak dollar valuations reached during the MSCI Emerging Market-induced euphoria in 2017, as well as the post-COVID interest rate cut-led rally in the summer of 2021. Can increa

Solar prices drop up to 25%

Solar prices have dropped by 15% to 25% due to widespread imports and increased supply relative to consumption in the country. This has made solar panels available at historically low levels in the local market for consumers. Faisal Bawani, the importer of solar panels of leading brands, told The Express Tribune that the cost of solar panels per watt has further decreased by Rs7 to Rs13 in the las

Cotton yarn exports to China surge 66%

Pakistan’s cotton yarn exports to China reached $166.37 million, an increase of 65.85%, in the first quarter of 2024, according to statistics of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC). In the first quarter (January-March) of the current calendar year, imports of “uncombed single cotton yarn containing 85% or above” (commodity code 52051200) from Pakistan