News

Pakistan seeks Asian Development Bank’s support for reforms

Paki­stan on Wednesday sought deeper collaboration and fresh support for policy-based lending from the Asian Development Bank for vast sectors of the economy, from climate to infrastructure to resource mobilisation, thro­ugh global capital instruments, like green bonds and debt-for-nature swaps, under the new 10-year partnership. The wish-list for future direct financial support and collaborati

Tax overhaul, faster privatisation on government agenda

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday unveiled a drastically simplified income tax return form for salaried individuals — reducing the number of required fields from 800 to just 40 — as part of the government’s push for a predictable tax regime and accelerated privatisation under its broader structural reform agenda. Speaking at a conference on “Building a Resilient Public Financial

Public Accounts Committee scrutinises cabinet division over Toshakhana irregularities

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday reviewed audit objections involving the Cabinet Division’s management of the Toshakhana, the state gift repository, highlighting improper amendments to its rules and the disappearance of records dating back before 1997. The committee, chaired by Syed Naveed Qamar, was told by audit officials that the original Toshakhana rules from 1973 had been a

Pakistan Textile Council flags raw material exclusion from Export Facilitation Scheme

The Pakistan Textile Council (PTC) has warned that the exclusion of key raw materials from the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) risks undermining the competitiveness of Pakistan’s textile exports. In a letter to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, the PTC expressed strong reservations over recent amendments to the scheme, notified via SRO 1435 of 2025. The council s

Foreign firm shows interest in introducing hybrid corn seeds

A Singa­pore-based hybrid seed company has shown keen interest in introducing climate-resilient hybrid corn seeds in Pakistan, finding the country having the po­­tential to get high yields. “Our latest hybrid corn seed technology has sho­wn the potential to incre­ase yields by up to 32 per cent, offering farmers higher productivity and improved profitability,” said Commercial Director for South