Pakistan Posts $12 Million Current Account Surplus in April
Pakistan recorded a current account surplus of $12 million in April 2025, following a significant $1.2 billion surplus in March, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday. While the monthly figure marks a substantial drop, the country’s external balance has remained positive over the course of the fiscal year. […]
More Features, Less Price: Why Pakistani Buyers Are Turning to Chinese Cars
Islamabad— In a small but bustling showroom in Islamabad, Mohammad Zeb Mushtaq gestures toward a gleaming Changan Alsvin sedan. As Sales Manager at Changan Islamabad for the past four years, he’s witnessed firsthand the evolution of Pakistani consumers’ attitudes toward Chinese automobiles. “If you compare Toyota or Honda, the difference between our full option sedan […]
Govt Approves Major Import Tax Cuts to Boost Competitiveness, Raise Export Potential
The government has decided to implement a sweeping reduction in import taxes worth Rs120 billion in the upcoming federal budget, as part of a broader plan to open Pakistan’s economy to foreign competition and stimulate export-led growth. The plan, endorsed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aims to gradually overhaul the country’s import tariff regime over […]
PM Calls for Sustainable Agro-Industry Policy to Boost Forestry, Combat Climate Change
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed relevant authorities to formulate a sustainable, long-term policy for agro-industrial development aimed at promoting agriculture and forestry while addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Chairing a high-level meeting on agricultural sector reforms, the prime minister emphasized the need for a coordinated strategy developed in consultation with provinces and […]
IMF talks begin today
A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) begins formal discussions with Pakistani authorities today (Wednesday), focusing on the fiscal framework for the upcoming 2025–26 federal budget. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb confirmed in an interview with Reuters earlier this week that the negotiations will run from May 14 to 23, with the government aiming to […]
Pakistani Tech Startups Make Mark at GISEC 2025 Despite Fierce Competition
All seven Pakistani tech startups participating in this year’s Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC) reached the semi-finals of the prestigious pitch competition, making a notable impression at one of the world’s leading cybersecurity gatherings. The startups were sponsored by Ignite – National Technology Fund, an initiative under Pakistan’s Ministry of IT and Telecom, […]
Cotton cultivation in Punjab reaches 2.116m acres
Cotton cultivation in Punjab has expanded significantly during the ongoing 2025–26 Kharif season, reaching 2.116 million acres, up from 1.806 million acres during the same period last year, according to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. Punjab has set an ambitious cultivation target of 3.5 million acres for the season, compared to 3.221 […]
Pakistan to Begin Mango Exports from May 25
The Government of Pakistan has announced that mango exports for the 2025 season will officially begin on May 25, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Commerce. The decision was finalized following consultations with the stakeholders committee, which reviewed the crop outlook and market readiness. The Ministry confirmed that all existing provisions under […]
IMF Approves $1 Billion Tranche for Pakistan, Launches $1.4 Billion Climate Resilience Program
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $1 billion disbursement for Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) following the successful completion of the first review of the country’s economic reform program. Additionally, the Board has approved a new arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), granting Pakistan access […]
CPEC: Agri cooperation, focus on energy projects, operationalization of key infrastructure in Gwadar ordered
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level review meeting on Sunday to assess progress on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, with an emphasis on advancing agricultural cooperation, accelerating energy initiatives, and operationalizing key infrastructure in Gwadar. The session, held at the Ministry of Planning, brought together senior officials from […]