News

Eggs-pensive omelettes

Over the last year, the price per egg has increased by about Rs10, of which the Rs5 hike has come over the last month alone. Though some media reports point towards profiteering by shopkeepers, the recent price hike seems to be driven by a demand and supply gap for a key ingredient in poultry rearing — soybean meal. Over the last five years or so, the poultry industry has increased the use of s

Vested interests may spur post-election policy reversals, World Bank fears

The World Bank fears that following the upcoming elections, strong and organised vested interests may spur a number of potential reversals on critical policy reforms — committed to multilateral lenders — posing ‘high’ macroeconomic risks to Pakistan. The possible reversals include the rationalisation of gas and electricity subsidies, lower trade tariffs and better property tax realisation. “

Production of electrical goods shrinks 13pc

Production of electrical products witnessed a steep fall of over 13 per cent during the first four months of FY24 due to the high cost of manufacturing and the sharp increase in electricity prices. Out of 10, nine electrical products posted negative growth during July-October 2023-24 while others were already on the negative list of production in the previous fiscal year. The FY23 witnessed

In a first, Iesco gets suppliers licence

After a decades-long delay, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has started granting first-ever separate licences of Suppliers of Last Resort (SoLR) to existing distribution companies (Discos) for 20 years to bifurcate their distribution (wire & pole infrastructure) and electricity supply (commercial & billing etc) businesses for future bilateral competitive power business.

UNDP sees debt management bigger challenge for new govt

The new government in Pakistan must have a plan to tackle the debt challenge, with a reform agenda enhancing financial management, increasing revenue, enforcing fiscal discipline, diversifying funding sources and effectively managing debt, suggests the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The UN agency’s latest publication — Development Advocate Pakistan — further suggests that parliame