News

Govt explores external financing options

With the International Monetary Fund (IMF) now on board, the government considers meeting most of its external financing needs in the medium term through 10- to 15-year international bonds and concessional multilateral loans. It also plans to diversify local debt instruments to inflation-based bonds, list government papers on the stock exchange, and issue short-term Islamic and conventional flo

Addressing Pakistan’s gas shortages

Pakistan has been grappling with persistent challenges in meeting the demand for natural gas, resulting from increasing energy needs, infrastructure limitations, and supply-demand gaps. Last year, domestic natural gas production in Pakistan experienced a decrease of approximately five per cent. Around 25pc of the country’s natural gas consumption is being met through imported LNG. The governmen

Energy measures in the budget

The demand for energy is on the rise due to economic expansion, population growth, and rapid technological advancements. However, the reliance on imported fossil fuels and energy supply limitations poses significant challenges to the country’s economic prospects. In response, the government aims to optimise the utilisation of local energy sources such as hydel, solar, wind, and Thar coal. The g

Effects of currency devaluation on agri

The Pakistani rupee has lost over 125 per cent of its value against the US dollar, sliding from Rs125 per dollar in June 2018 to Rs285 per dollar in June 2023. Several key factors have contributed to this situation, including a substantial trade deficit, diminished foreign exchange reserves, reduced foreign investment and the heavy burden of foreign debt servicing. These factors have had a detr

Stocks extend losses in depressed week

The stock market experienced subdued activity in the outgoing week primarily because of the prevailing uncertainty surrounding the completion of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, said Arif Habib Ltd. On the economic front, Pakistan recorded a current account surplus of $255 million in May versus a surplus of $78m in April. Additionally, the government raised over Rs2.4 trillio