News

PM approves digital overhaul of FBR to curb tax evasion

Prime Minister Sheh­baz Sharif has approved the development of a modern and world-class digital ecos­ystem in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), directing that globally renowned experts be engaged for this purpose. The premier was chairing a meeting to review progress on FBR reforms in Islamabad on Saturday. He directed the FBR to continue dialogue with the business community over tax compl

Trade with Central Asia shrinks amid rising imports

Pakistan’s exports to five Central Asian countries (CACs) declined by 31.63pc during the outgoing fiscal year (FY25), despite efforts to expand regional trade and implement transit agreements. At the same time, imports from the region surged more than fourfold, deepening the trade imbalance. According to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan, exports to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,

Banks moot on exchange rate issues called

The rupee strengthened against the US dollar, gaining Rs1.30 in the interbank market and Rs1.50 in the open market, following a renewed crackdown on currency smuggling. Bankers and currency dealers attributed the improvement largely to administrative measures rather than market fundamentals. The dollar fell in the interbank market from Rs284.80 to Rs283.50, while in the open market, it declined

Mangrove restoration yields $40m in carbon credits

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has said Pakistan is home to the largest contiguous arid mangrove forest in South Asia — located in the Indus Delta region of Sindh — with the potential to generate up to $50 million annually through carbon credit markets. In a message marking the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on Saturday, th

Show-cause notices issued to two energy companies

The Dir­e­ctorate General of Petro­leum Concessions (DGPC) under the Ministry of En­­ergy (Petroleum Division) has issued show-cause noti­ces to two petroleum companies, Spud Energy Pty Ltd (SEPL) and Frontier Holdings Ltd (FHL), for failing to disclose recent changes in their ownership structures. The Petroleum Division emphasised that any chan­­ge in a company’s ownership or board must receiv