News

Pak seeks stronger ADB support

Pakistan andtr India laid out contrasting yet complementary visions at the 58th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Milan, on Monday, with India focusing on digital transformation and long-term development, and Pakistan calling for stronger support to sustain its economic recovery amid structural reforms. Contrary to claims made by some Indian media outlets that the Indian Fin

Gold rates surge by Rs7,800/tola

Gold prices in Pakistan witnessed a sharp increase on Monday, mirroring a global rally in the precious metal as a weaker US dollar and growing safe-haven demand pushed international prices higher ahead of a key policy decision by the US Federal Reserve later this week. According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the price of gold per tola rose by Rs7,800, reach

Policy rate slashed to 11%

Beating the market expectations of a 50 basis points (bps) cut, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has slashed the policy rate by 100 bps to 11%, effective May 6, 2025, reflecting easing inflationary pressures. However, the central bank has highlighted that the broader economic landscape remains fraught with challenges, including sluggish GDP growth, weak large-scale manufacturing, persistent fiscal

Minimal 1% rate cut criticised

Industrialists, traders, and business leaders strongly criticised the State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP) decision during its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting to cut the interest rate by just 1%, urging swift reduction to single digits without any further delay. Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani termed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)'s decision

GSMA seeks relief in Budget 2025-26

The GSM Association (GSMA), a body of mobile operators, has called for reducing taxes and fees in the telecom industry in the upcoming budget 2025-26. In a letter to Federal IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, GSMA's Head of Public Policy and External Affairs for Asia Pacific, Jeanette Whyte, argued that lowering sector-specific taxes would make mobile services more affordable, particularly for l