What's new

Pakistan's economic turmoil under Shehbaz Sharif's second term as Prime Minister of Pakistan

So inflation is getting stable, wonder why this thread title wasnt fixed?

Oh haan, the favourite party is not in power, so thats why. :)
If you increase to such a level that basic commodities aren't affordable then it's not rocket science to expect to stop it going up and up as the demand isnt there. This isn't an achievement, this is a disastrous economic policy that has destroyed PK economy.
 
Our inflation was cost push and foreign exchange related. We needed to control cost of production and contorl the supply of foreign exchange.
But when IK was in power he floated the exchange rate and it was around 180. Why did it depreciate to 300. Our biggest import is fuel but the mafia have had it good with the price oil. It was $117 a barrel and today it's less than 70 and has been less than 80 for more than a year. In fact it dropped since the mafia took power compared to the last days of IK. So why is the price petrol so high.
 
lol

Our inflation was related to cost push and dollar supply.

The govt took policies that lead to higher prices in the begining but than led to these lower inflation in the longer run.
So the increase has slowed down. Due to the disaster of NS and his IPPs, the people are paying electricity prices that are upto 5 times higher according to people I know in PK. Who benefited from these contracts. Sugar industry by the mafia, it has gone up to 200. Can you explain why?
 
lol

Our inflation was related to cost push and dollar supply.

The govt took policies that lead to higher prices in the begining but than led to these lower inflation in the longer run.
BTW
Miftah has destroyed the narrative you sold to us at the time of regime change. He said the economy wasn't on the verge of bankruptcy and it was stable. The facts are facts and the disaster that the mafia have brought PK has cost billions in lost productivity and the instability. It will take a decade to recover.
 
Petrol levi to be increased due to shortage of taxes , petrol price may rise to 270 from 250.
 
So these Sugar theives first exported it deeming it surplus in country and now created a fake supply issue to import it. Guess who helped them in all fiasco, the govt. Itself because they are the sugar mill owners #Cheeni Chor
FB_IMG_1742298518017.jpg
 
So these Sugar theives first exported it deeming it surplus in country and now created a fake supply issue to import it. Guess who helped them in all fiasco, the govt. Itself because they are the sugar mill owners #Cheeni Chor
View attachment 152355
Where is @emranabbas @RizwanT20Champ

Can you explain what's going on. Apparently you own all of us so this shouldn't be for you.
 
World Bank okays $102m in financing to boost Pakistan’s microfinance sector

The World Bank has approved a sum of $102 million in financing for a project that aims to enhance access to microcredit and support the resilience of the microfinance sector and its borrowers, particularly in the face of climate-related shocks.

The financing under the ‘Resilient and Accessible Microfinance (RAM) project’, was approved by the World Bank board of directors on Tuesday, according to a news release issued by the World Bank’s Resident Mission in Islamabad.

In February, a World Bank delegation visited the country to touch base on Pakistan’s economic reforms, including the privatisation agenda as a follow-up to the Country Framework Programme (CPF) finalised in January with indicative assistance of about $20 billion.

“Microfinance is a critical tool for supporting the livelihoods of vulnerable populations in Pakistan,” said Najy Benhassine, World Bank country director for Pakistan.

“This project will help strengthen the resilience of the microfinance sector, particularly in the face of growing climate risks, ensuring that the sector can continue to provide essential financial services to those who need them most, especially in rural areas.

“This project is part of our broader commitment to promoting financial inclusion in Pakistan and to increasing resilience to climate change, as spelled out in our new 10-year Country Partnership Framework,” he added.

According to the statement, the project will benefit nearly 1.89m people, including more than 1m women and over 350,000 youth, and especially those in vulnerable and low-income rural areas.

Through the provision of financial resources to microfinance institutions, the project will ensure that institutions can “continue to provide services even during climate-induced financial pressures”.

“The project will provide increased access to microcredit for individuals and small businesses, providing them ‘recovery loans’ to help them gain financial stability,” the statement read.

Namoos Zaheer, task team leader for the project, said the project had been designed based on lessons learned from the devastating floods of 2022 and is a significant step to bolster financial inclusion in Pakistan,.

“It will enhance economic empowerment and resilience of those at the bottom of the economic pyramid, particularly women, small farmers, and families in rural areas who are more prone to climate shocks.”

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Finance through the State Bank of Pakistan. It will be first in a series of interventions to support the sector, to be designed and phased in close partnership with other international financial institutions.

Key components of the project include the establishment of a Climate Risk Fund, innovative use of agrotechnology solutions, capacity building for microfinance institutions, and the development of risk management frameworks to enhance the sector’s resilience.

The project is co-financed by a $23m grant from the Global Shield Financing Facility (GSFF), which is a multi-donor trust fund hosted by the World Bank Group and financed by the Governments of Canada, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom.

The GSFF supports poor and vulnerable countries and people with increased access to financial protection against climate shocks, disasters, and crises.

Pakistan has been a member of the World Bank since 1950. So far, the Bank has provided $48.3bn in assistance to the country.

The Bank’s programme in Pakistan is governed by a Country Partnership Strategy with four priority areas of engagement: energy, private sector development, inclusion, and service delivery.

The current portfolio for IBRD, IFC and MIGA in Pakistan include 106 projects and a total commitment of $17bn.

DAWN NEWS
 
Federal cabinet approves 188% salary hike for ministers

The federal cabinet has approved a summary to increase the salaries of federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisers, Express News reported on Friday.

Following the approval, the monthly salary for federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisers will be Rs519,000. According to sources, the pay hike reflects an increase of up to 188% for these officeholders.

This development comes two months after the Finance Committee of the National Assembly approved a proposal to bring the salaries and perks of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators in line with those of federal secretaries.

The decision was taken unanimously by the committee under the chairmanship of Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

EXPRESS TRIBUNE
 
Federal cabinet approves 188% salary hike for ministers

The federal cabinet has approved a summary to increase the salaries of federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisers, Express News reported on Friday.

Following the approval, the monthly salary for federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisers will be Rs519,000. According to sources, the pay hike reflects an increase of up to 188% for these officeholders.

This development comes two months after the Finance Committee of the National Assembly approved a proposal to bring the salaries and perks of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators in line with those of federal secretaries.

The decision was taken unanimously by the committee under the chairmanship of Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

EXPRESS TRIBUNE
@Kianig89 another way to loot Pakistan is here... 188%???? THIS IS CRAZY
 
Federal cabinet approves 188% salary hike for ministers



Following the approval, the monthly salary for federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisers will be Rs519,000. According to sources, the pay hike reflects an increase of up to 188% for these officeholders.
Wow . Nero playing the fiddle while Rome is burning kind of stuff
 
@Kianig89 another way to loot Pakistan is here... 188%???? THIS IS CRAZY
This beyond parody. A country where people are struggling to feed themselves have an elite so inhumane and greedy that words fail me. This is what happens when you have to answer to no one. Could an ln elected govt ever get way with this.
 
Federal cabinet approves 188% salary hike for ministers

The federal cabinet has approved a summary to increase the salaries of federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisers, Express News reported on Friday.

Following the approval, the monthly salary for federal ministers, ministers of state, and advisers will be Rs519,000. According to sources, the pay hike reflects an increase of up to 188% for these officeholders.

This development comes two months after the Finance Committee of the National Assembly approved a proposal to bring the salaries and perks of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators in line with those of federal secretaries.

The decision was taken unanimously by the committee under the chairmanship of Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.

EXPRESS TRIBUNE
Not only is this blameworthy, but it is also a very foolish move. An increase of 188% is outrageous by any standard, but that is not even the main issue here. RS 519,000 for these ministers is insignificant; they earn probably millions from other sources, whether legal or illegal. So why cause such a commotion across the entire country for this?
 
So this govt. hands out civil awards to the likes of Umer Farooq Zahoor the liar about toshakhana watch, Muneeb Farook for being the puppet, Salman Ghani the Batman's Batman

shame shame
 
Last edited by a moderator:

World Bank approves $300 million loan for Pakistan​


ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The World Bank approved a $300 million loan for Pakistan, earmarked for the Punjab Clean Air Programme.

According to the World Bank’s statement, the funds will be utilised to combat air pollution in Punjab.

The World Bank’s Country Director stated that the initiative aims to enhance public health by improving air quality.

The Punjab Clean Air Programme is designed to mitigate smog, marking a significant step towards improving the well-being of millions.

Cleaner air is expected to reduce respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

He further noted that the project is part of the World Bank’s new Country Partnership Framework and is expected to benefit 13 million residents of the Lahore Division.

Source: Dunya News
 
All you need is another survey where they ask people how the economy is.. and South Asia will be better than West, not sure why Institutions waste time on data.
 
FB_IMG_1743348834937.jpg
So Azerbaijan has offered $ 1 billion loan to Pakistan after the batman requested. We want to compete with Dushman and are trying to get loans from all across the globe
 
Sometimes it is worth zooming out and not just getting lost in the immediate and recent. It is hard to argue against the motion that since inception Pakistan has been governed appallingly. The result is that Pakistan scores woefully when it comes to human development indicators. Ineffective governance has extended across different regimes.

This leads to the question, that why, in spite of inept governance and recurring economic crises, Pakistan has managed to avert falling into a complete heap.

There are three important factors that I can think of. One is remittances. Remittances have of course been an important component of Pakistan’s economy from the late 1970s. This is not only as a source of foreign exchange, cushioning the trade account deficit, but also in relieving poverty and enabling many to weather the storms during periods of economic hardship. Remittances are far harder to capture within the bureaucratic net than export income and foreign aid. Migrants and their families, therefore, exercise greater control over such flows of money and are able to decide for themselves how best to utilise the funds.

A second factor is the networks of patronage and kinship support. Such personalised ties narrow the scope for class based mobilisation. But they also reduce incentives for unrest as patrons are forced to forgo some of their wealth in order to keep their ‘followers’ content. Specifically, kinship networks are also likely to have provided members with financial and emotional support during times of economic strain. Many of course view patronage politics as part of the problem, which may have some truth to it, but if people are influenced by kinship attachments, it is often because they are searching for a bond, a connection that transcends self-interest, a point that is often overlooked.

A third factor is an extensive charitable sector - much of it informal and often unseen. Most of the activity is motivated by religious faith. In 2005, when the terrible earthquake struck, scholar Christopher Candland notes, that while the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs was able to correctly estimate the number of homeless - 700,000 - it overstated the number of tents required by “hundreds of thousands, because those people whose homes were still habitable gave shelter to hundreds of thousands of strangers.” The charitable sector is able to mobilise with breathtaking speed in the case of emergencies. At the level of the everyday, langars such as the one at the Dargah of Baba Farid Gang Shakar in Pakpattan are reported to feed more than a 1,000 people a day.
 
View attachment 152803
So Azerbaijan has offered $ 1 billion loan to Pakistan after the batman requested. We want to compete with Dushman and are trying to get loans from all across the globe
Lol they are taking loan from azherbaijan of all countries.
Ur country is surely in a mess now.
If political reforms are not made,ur country is gonna go into civil war.
 

PSX hits record high as KSE-100 crosses 120,000 in intraday trading​

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a strong bullish trend as the benchmark KSE-100 index surged by 1,729.48 points, or 1.45%, current index at 120,667.59.

The index hit a high of 120,793.41 points during intra day trading session and maintained a relatively tight range, with the day's low recorded at 119,085.73 points.

The trading volume stood at over 60 million shares, reflecting strong investor participation.

The day's trading value amounted to 5.12 billion, underscoring a robust market activity that has lifted investor confidence.

The development came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a 15% cut in electricity tariffs, reducing prices by Rs7.41 per unit, aimed at easing the financial burden on families and boosting national grid consumption.

The reduction, benefiting around 40.3 million consumers, primarily residential users, was achieved through seasonal tariff adjustments, a budget-neutral subsidy increase, and tax reductions.

The new average electricity rate for domestic consumers will be Rs34.37 per unit, while industrial rates have been lowered to Rs40.51 per unit.

The government successfully negotiated with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to approve this price reduction, despite initial resistance.

The maximum relief of 12% has been granted to commercial consumers, while industrial users benefit from a 13% reduction.

The new rates also introduce significant cuts for protected residential consumers, with reductions of up to 32% depending on usage.

On the other hand, US President Donald Trump announced the imposition of 'discounted reciprocal' tariffs on several countries, including a 29% tariff on Pakistani goods.

Trump justified the move as a necessary step to correct trade imbalances and address what he viewed as unfair treatment of American products in foreign markets.

He argued that high tariffs imposed by other countries, including Pakistan, had unfairly subsidised their economies at the expense of the US.

Trump highlighted that Pakistan had been charging a 58% tariff on American goods, prompting the US to impose a 29% tariff on Pakistani exports.

The US remains one of Pakistan's largest trading partners, with bilateral trade valued at $7.3 billion in 2024. US exports to Pakistan grew by 4.4% to $2.1 billion, while imports from Pakistan increased by 4.9%, totalling $5.1 billion.

In addition to Pakistan, the US has imposed reciprocal tariffs on 40 other countries, with rates ranging from 10% to 50%, as part of a broader strategy to address global trade imbalances and ensure fairer trade conditions for US industries.

Source: The Express Tribune
 

FinMin Aurangzeb pledges export-led growth for sustainable development​

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Saturday that Pakistan’s economy is stable and “the country will be taken towards export and productivity led growth to ensure sustainable development.”

Addressing a news conference here, he said “inflation is at its lowest level in six decades, remittances have increased by 32%, and the government is closely monitoring the prices of essential goods.”

The minister mentioned that Pakistan has achieved macroeconomic stability. “We cannot squander this opportunity and have to change the DNA of the economy.”

He stressed that there should be exports in each sector, expressing satisfaction that the auto sector has started exports in the last two months.

Aurangzeb said the government was undertaking structural reforms in order to make the current IMF programme the last one.

On the taxation side, the finance minister said the tax to GDP ratio is to touch 10.6 percent by the end of this fiscal year, which is an increase of one point eight percent in one year. He said the tax to GDP ratio will be taken to 13.5 percent.

He mentioned that the FBR revenue collection will increase by 32.5 percent this year, emphasizing that they are deepening the tax base. He highlighted that 413 billion rupees were collected from the traders, which is up from 189 billion rupees last year. He said one hundred and five billion rupees were also collected from new tax filers.

Aurangzeb said that process of privatization would be accelerated.

On the external front, he said there is a rise in foreign exchange reserves on the back of very strong remittances. He was confident that the remittances will touch record $36 billion this fiscal year.

He said exports were also holding firm with seven percent growth. He expressed the confidence that the foreign exchange reserves would rise above $13 billion by June this year.

Finance Minister Aurangzeb said the inflation is at 0.7 percent and it is our effort to ensure that the benefit of low inflation rate reaches the common man.

Source: Dunya News
 

Pakistan, Turkiye agree on joint oil, gas bids​


In a significant development, Pakistan and Turkiye have agreed on forging cooperation in oil and gas exploration, which came on the sidelines of Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025.

Pakistan and Turkiye signed a joint bidding agreement, according to which they would jointly participate in offshore bidding round to be conducted by Islamabad.

In February 2025, the government of Pakistan announced an offshore block bid round, offering 40 blocks in Makran and Indus basins for exploration licences. This bid round is a significant opportunity for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the upstream energy sector.

“We are pleased to announce that reputable Pakistani E&P (exploration & production) companies, Mari Energies, Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), have signed a joint bidding agreement with Turkish state-owned enterprise Turkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortakligi to jointly participate in the offshore bid round,” said a statement issued on Tuesday. “We believe that this strategic collaboration will bring much-needed FDI to Pakistan and pave the way for sharing and deploying international technologies, expertise and skillsets to explore and exploit the untapped potential of Pakistan’s offshore region.”

While meeting Turkish Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik expressed high hopes for bilateral cooperation. He remarked that seismic studies indicated significant offshore reserves and Pakistan was committed to providing full support and encouraging collaborative efforts to explore the potential.

Copper, gold discovered

Separately, while speaking to participants at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, National Resources Limited (NRL) Chairman and Lucky Cement CEO Muhammad Ali Tabba announced that NRL had discovered significant copper-gold reserves in Chagai, Balochistan.

NRL, a 100% privately owned company of Pakistan and a subsidiary of Fatima Fertiliser, Liberty Mills and Lucky Cement, was awarded lease in October 2023. The licensed area contained two known porphyry prospects with strong exploration potential.

Over 15 months, NRL has identified 18 new prospects, one of which named “Tang Kaur” has rapidly progressed to advanced drilling stage.
Tabba told the audience that NRL had completed 13 diamond drill holes (3,517 metres) and advanced drilling at Tang Kaur was scheduled for May 2025. It will be followed by three to four years of detailed exploration, culminating in feasibility studies, while exploration of other prospects and leases continues.

Additionally, NRL has acquired a lead and zinc exploration licence adjacent to a well-known deposit, where a bankable feasibility study has already been conducted. A comprehensive metal value chain is also being studied to assess the feasibility of downstream processing.

“NRL considers indigenous populations as key stakeholders and actively supports social development through clean water, education, healthcare and local employment/businesses. Our current ratio of local employment is above 90%,” it said. NRL is actively working with the government of Balochistan and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to secure two additional copper and gold exploration licences in Chagai, supported by a dedicated $100 million exploration fund.

Saudi team meets oil minister

Meanwhile, a high-level Saudi delegation, led by Deputy Minister for Mining Abdulrahman Al-Belushi, met Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik on the sidelines of Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum to discuss more collaboration in energy and mineral sectors.

Source: The Express Tribune
 
FB_IMG_1744545538383.jpg

So the thieves and money launderers got another fella like for like stuff. Just another reason why Pakistan is in economic turmoil
 
Fitch upgrades Pakistan’s credit rating to ‘B-’ on improving deficits, reforms

Global ratings agency Fitch on Tuesday upgraded Pakistan’s foreign currency credit rating to ‘B-’ from ‘CCC+’, citing increased confidence in the country’s progress on narrowing its budget deficits.

The upgrade also reflects confidence that the country would implement structural reforms, supporting its International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme performance and funding availability, Fitch said.

The agency said though ongoing global trade tensions could create external pressure, its low dependence on exports and market financing should mitigate risks.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the upgrade, calling it a reflection of economic progress and the world community’s confidence in the national economy, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

He said the upgradation of Pakistan’s credit rating was highly encouraging.

“Fitch has declared Pakistan’s economy as stable. The improvement of economic rating by international institutions reflects economic progress and the global community’s confidence in the country’s economy,” he remarked.

PM Shehbaz said that the incumbent government was working tirelessly to bring further improvement to the national economy.

Welcoming the upgrade by the agency, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that it was a “strong expression of confidence in the country’s economic reforms and policies”.

He said that the agency’s step will further strengthen the government’s economic agenda.

After this announcement, the finance minister said, more investment, trade, increased employment opportunities, industrial development and additional resources will be available to the country.

“The government will continue the journey of economic reforms and economic stability,” he said, adding that the economy will further improve and stabilise in the future.

APP reported that he later said the international rating agency has upgraded Pakistan’s economic rating due to its sustainable macroeconomic stability.

He said the development was a very promising outlook.

Aurangzeb said the country’s foreign remittances were recorded high at $4.1 billion, which were likely to go up to a record $38bn by the end of this year FY 2024-25.

The minister said the country’s economy was currently moving in the best direction, which required continuity so that economic growth could be sustainable and inclusive.

He said that because of the structural reforms of the current government and the cooperation of all institutions, the country’s economy has achieved macroeconomic stability.

Aurangzeb said that the current government had achieved many successes in the economic sphere and the successful holding of the recent International Mineral Conference was a great success of the government.



In a post on X, Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad said that the outlook was stable, adding that the agency’s decision was a strong endorsement of the government’s economic policies and outcomes.






The economy had been teetering on the brink of default ever since inflation rose to a record high in May 2023 and reserves started shrinking but has seen some respite thanks in part to a $7 billion bailout programme from the IMF.

In March, the IMF reached a new deal with Pakistan, which could unlock $1.3bn in cash.

According to the update on Fitch’s website, Pakistan performed well on quantitative performance criteria, particularly on reserve accumulation and the primary surplus, although tax revenue growth fell short of its indicative target.

“Provincial governments have also legislated increases in agricultural income tax, a key structural benchmark,” it said.

“This follows Pakistan’s strong performance on its previous, more temporary arrangement, which expired in April 2024,” it added.

The agency forecasted that the government budget deficit would narrow to six per cent of GDP in the fiscal year ending in June and around 5pc in the medium term, from nearly 7pc in FY24.

“Our FY25 forecast is conservative. We expect the primary surplus to more than double to over 2pc of GDP in FY25,” the agency said.

“Shortfalls in tax revenue, in part due to lower-than-expected inflation and imports, will be offset by lower spending and wider provincial surpluses,” it said, adding that the lagged effects of high domestic interest rates in recent years still weigh on fiscal performance, but also drove the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) extraordinary dividend of 2pc of GDP to the government in FY25.

“Government debt/GDP dropped to 67pc in FY24, from 75pc in FY23, and we forecast a gradual decline over the medium term, reflecting tight fiscal policy, nominal growth and a repricing of domestic debt at lower rates,” it said.

However, the agency said, the debt ratio would tick up in FY25 due to a rapid decline in inflation and would remain above the forecast ‘B’ median of just over 50pc.

“The interest payment/revenue ratio, which we forecast at 59pc in FY25, will narrow, but remain well above the ‘B’ median of about 13pc, given a high share of domestic debt and a narrow revenue base,” it said.

“We expect CPI inflation to average 5pc year on year in FY25, from over 20pc in FY23-FY24, on fading base effects from several rounds of energy price reforms, before picking up again to 8pc in FY26, in line with urban core inflation over the past few months,” Fitch said.

The agency added that the SBP held its policy rate steady at 12pc in March, noting pressures on the current account and persistent core inflation, after 1,000bp of rate cuts between May 2024 and January 2025.

“We expect GDP growth to edge up to 3pc in FY25,” it said.

“Pakistan posted a current surplus of $700 million in 8MFY25 on surging remittances and favourable import prices,” the agency said.

“Imports picked up in early 2025, and we expect external deficits to widen from our forecast of a broadly balanced position for FY25 on stronger domestic demand.”

It said that, however, they should remain below 1pc of GDP in the coming years.

“We think some informal FX demand management persists after the loosening exchange rate and import controls, and market reforms in 2023,” the agency said.

Fitch said that international trade tensions could hurt goods exports, with exports to the US, mostly textiles, accounting for 3pc of GDP (35pc of the total) in FY24.

“Lower commodity import prices could soften the blow on the trade balance,” it said.

“Remittances mostly come from the Middle East and tend to be resilient to the economic cycle,” it added.

“Pakistan has become less reliant on market and commercial financing in recent years, but market turmoil could still reduce access to loan funding.”

Fitch expected a further buildup of gross reserves after the SBP’s purchase of foreign exchange in the interbank market brought them to under $18bn in March, from about $15bn at FYE24 and a low of less than $8bn in early 2023.

“Measures of net foreign exchange reserves are much lower, reflecting foreign exchange reserve deposits of domestic commercial banks, a Chinese central bank swap line and bilateral deposits at the SBP.”

However, the agency still viewed gross reserves as the most relevant indicator of external liquidity.

Fitch predicted that the government will face about $9bn in external debt maturities in FY26 after over $8bn in FY25 (nearly $5bn in 2HFY25).

“Both figures exclude $13bn in bilateral deposits and loans that are regularly rolled over, of which $4bn is at the SBP.”

It said that the next international bond maturity was in September 2025.

“Besides bilateral rollovers, the authorities secured $4bn in external financing in 1HFY25 from a mix of multilateral and commercial sources and are expecting to obtain $10bn in 2HFY25, of which $4bn would be from multilateral and $5bn from various commercial loans, mainly refinancing from Chinese banks.”

“Governments from across the political spectrum have had a mixed record of IMF programme performance, often failing to implement or reversing the required reforms,” the agency said, adding that the current apparent consensus within Pakistan on the need for reform could weaken over time.

 
Pakistan’s inflation rate drops to record low in April 2025

In a potential development for the national economy, Pakistan’s inflation rate reached a record of 0.30% in April 2025, showing a noteworthy slowdown as compared with 0.70% in March, ARY News reported.

As per the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ latest report, inflation has progressively gone towards declined over the past year, providing relief to businesses and consumers at the same time.

Inflation Trends Over the Past Year

The economic data has mentioned a considerable decline in inflation over the current fiscal year:

10-month average inflation rate: 4.73% (compared to 25.97% in the previous fiscal year)
Year-over-year inflation drop: 21.24 percentage points
Experts point to this decline in Pakistan’s inflation rate due to effective government policies, stable commodity prices, and controlled fiscal measures aimed at reducing economic strain.


 
Pakistan Isn’t That Risky Anymore. Its Economy Is a Mini-Miracle.

For markets like Pakistan, it can take a threat of war to capture the world’s attention. Investors may regret not having looked sooner.

The country of 255 million has pulled off a macroeconomic miracle of sorts over the past two years. Inflation has nosedived from near 40% annually to near zero. Eurobonds maturing in 2031 have soared from 40 cents on the dollar to 80 cents. The Karachi Stock Exchange index has tripled. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government reached a $7 billion stabilization agreement with the International Monetary Fund last September. More than $2 billion has already been disbursed.

“Pakistan is a good story,” says Genna Lozovsky, chief investment officer at Sandglass Capital Management, which buys distressed emerging markets debt. “So good it’s not risky enough for us anymore.”

The latest armed conflict with India, in a tenuous state of truce at press time, won’t likely knock Pakistan’s recovery off course. The country’s own shaky underpinnings might. The latest IMF bailout is its 24 th since joining the Fund in 1950. “Pakistan has been known for boom-and-bust cycles throughout its history,” notes Khaled Sellami, an emerging markets sovereign debt manager at Barings.

He sees some signs that this time could be different. Pakistan’s current bout of stabilization started with a near-default experience in 2022-23. Catastrophic flooding and a spike in oil prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine coincided with domestic political turmoil, as Sharif engineered a no-confidence motion against his predecessor Imran Khan, who was subsequently locked up on corruption charges.

“Everyone thought Pakistan would default along with Sri Lanka in 2023,” says Alison Graham, chief investment officer at frontier markets specialist Voltan Capital Management.

Instead, the State Bank of Pakistan hiked interest rates from 10% to 22%, pitching the country into recession but wringing out inflation. Sharif won a (disputed) election in February 2024, and improved Khan’s rocky relations with Islamabad’s meddlesome military, hopefully securing political stability until the next required poll in 2029.

Pakistan’s sovereign creditors—China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—rolled over their loans without extending new credit. Gross domestic product growth bounced back to 2.5% last year, and the country’s books are uncustomarily balanced. “The current account balance is positive, and they have a primary fiscal surplus [excluding interest payments],” Sellami observes. “That’s something we haven’t seen in many years.”

Stabilization is one thing, though, development another. Pakistan’s IMF program, like all IMF programs, calls for reforms that will be unpopular with powerful interests or the population at large. Islamabad is supposed to increase its tax take by half and slash electricity subsidies, among other uphill battles.

India’s leap forward in advanced industries like IT and pharmaceuticals points up its neighbor’s relative stagnation. Cotton, apparel and cereals account for two-thirds of Pakistan’s exports. It is belatedly moving into IT outsourcing, foreign sales rising from near nothing to $3 billion annually over the past few years, Sellami says. India is in the $200 billion range.

Without a value-added ladder to climb, fate and free-spending election cycles may continue driving Pakistan’s boom and bust, Graham thinks. “Pakistan remains extremely fragile to external shocks,” she says. “When there is a rally, you need to be in early.”

Sellami is more optimistic, remaining “constructive” on Pakistani Eurobonds.

Circumstances may have handed Sharif and his military partners one of the best incentives in economics and life: having no choice. Pakistan’s strategic importance to the U.S. during the Cold War and War on Terror is long gone. Its current foreign friends, China and the Gulf states, made clear in 2022 that they are writing no blank checks, Sellami says. “The government knows if they deviate from the tightrope they are walking, they won’t have external finance,” he says.

 
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during a speech in Jammu and Kashmir today, sharply criticised Pakistan's economic condition and its continued dependence on external financial assistance, particularly from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Mr Singh's visit marked his first trip to the region following Operation Sindoor, and featured strategic military briefings and morale-boosting interactions with frontline troops.

"What can I say about Pakistan," Mr Singh said. "After begging and begging, that country is in such a position that you can say that the line of beggars begins wherever Pakistan stands."

His remarks followed a fresh disbursement of $1.023 billion to Pakistan by the IMF under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), raising the total disbursed amount under the current programme to approximately $2.1 billion.

"You must have heard, they once again went to the International Monetary Fund to ask for money, while India is among those countries that fund the IMF to help poor countries," Mr Singh said, making a comparison.

On May 7, India launched precision strikes on terror infrastructure operating across the border. Pakistan responded with attempted strikes on Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. India retaliated on May 10, targeting eight Pakistani airbases with long-range missiles and other weapons.

The exchange culminated in a ceasefire understanding reached through talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMO) from both nations on the afternoon of May 10. Defence officials in India briefed the Defence Minister about these developments during his stop at XV Corps headquarters in Srinagar.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Link: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ind...istan-stands-rajnath-singh-in-kashmir-8419484
 
The beggers still forced the Indians to back off. So much for India's wealth.

Do these guys have anything else to say apart from the "we are richer than you, you are beggers". Even a super power like America never talks to third world countries like this.
 
I find it funny not offensive when indians call pakistani beggars.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Why do some Indians act like they are some rich first world country? It is so cringy and stupid when they do chest thumping.
Chinese people are far wealthier than Indians. But, you are unlikely to see Chinese reminding others they are rich. :inti

Chinese forex reserve: Over 3-trillion.
Indian forex reserve: less than 700-billion.

=================================

Here are some questions for chest-thumping Indians:

- Why are Indians putting their lives in danger by migrating illegally to USA? There are over 700K illegal Indians in USA (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-r...out-unauthorized-immigrants-living-in-the-us/).

- Where are there toilet shortages? 15% of country's population doesn't have toilet access --> https://www.france24.com/en/tv-show...still-struggling-to-provide-access-to-toilets.

- Why are 60% of India's population live on less than $3.10 per day? --> https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2017/10/world/i-on-india-income-gap/.
 
Why do some Indians act like they are some rich first world country? It is so cringy and stupid when they do chest thumping.
Chinese people are far wealthier than Indians. But, you are unlikely to see Chinese reminding others they are rich. :inti

Chinese forex reserve: Over 3-trillion.
Indian forex reserve: less than 700-billion.

=================================

Here are some questions for chest-thumping Indians:

- Why are Indians putting their lives in danger by migrating illegally to USA? There are over 700K illegal Indians in USA (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-r...out-unauthorized-immigrants-living-in-the-us/).

- Where are there toilet shortages? 15% of country's population doesn't have toilet access --> https://www.france24.com/en/tv-show...still-struggling-to-provide-access-to-toilets.

- Why are 60% of India's population live on less than $3.10 per day? --> https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2017/10/world/i-on-india-income-gap/.
Where are there toilet shortages? 15% of country's population doesn't have toilet access

If only you cared to check the year of that article.

Why are 60% of India's population live on less than $3.10 per day?

If only you cared to check the year of that article.
 
Bhakts have to pretend they are rich even though it is a third world dump. LMAO.

Utter stupidity. :inti

Americans and Chinese don't behave like this even though those countries are far wealthier than India.
 
32% Pakistani are toiletless and 46% bangladeshi are don't have toilet facilities.

While only 10% Indian are toiletless according to latest survey.

@DeadlyVenom @Rajdeep @The Bald Eagle @BouncerGuy @Bhaijaan

@Hitman

:kp

Posting an article from 2015 that doesn't reference any of those stats you referenced. But nice try

Here are some real stats. The percentage of population that openly deficates in Pakistan is 6.7% where as it's 11% for India which amount to 160 million people. Good progress though going down from 73% in 2000 to 11% in 2025

 
Posting an article from 2015 that doesn't reference any of those stats you referenced. But nice try

Here are some real stats. The percentage of population that openly deficates in Pakistan is 6.7% where as it's 11% for India which amount to 160 million people. Good progress though going down from 73% in 2000 to 11% in 2025

This is from 2022 -

 
So what s Pakistan like post war, Are river honey canals flowing is their milk in rivers,as per Budget news looks like common man in Pakistan will be in a deeper hole. Can the aspiring Field Marshall do something
 
Pakistan GDP Crosses $400 Billion Level For First Time with Growth of 2.68% in FY25, Says National Accounts Committee

Pakistan GDP size crosses USD 400 billion mark with growth of 2.68% in FY25, according to press release issued by National Accounts Committee today.

“On the basis of latest figures of the national accounts aggregates for FY 2024-25, the overall size of the economy stands at PKR 114.7 trillion i.e. USD 410.96 billion as compared to PKR 105.1 trillion i.e. USD 371.66 billion” states press release issued today.

“Further, per capita income in Rupees is 509,174/- i.e. USD 1824/-. However, the series of per capita income from 2016-17 onwards will be revised after the receipt of backward and forward projections of population from the sources on the basis of 2023- Population Census” it added.

National Accounts Committee also approved the provisional growth of GDP at 2.68% during on-going FY 2024-25.

The provisional growth rates in agriculture, industry and services are 0.56%, 4.77% and 2.91% respectively.

 
NA okays another IMF-dictated law ahead of budget

Days before presentation of the federal budget for the next fiscal year, the National Assembly on Thursday passed an IMF-dictated money bill through a supplementary agenda and without any debate.

The Off the Grid (Captive Power Plants) Levy Bill, 2025, aimed at providing legal justification for the grid levy imposed on the supply of natural gas or imported liquefied natural gas to industrial captive power plants (CPPs) as of March 7, was tabled by Minister for Petroleum Division Ali Pervaiz after the house suspended the rules.

The minister moved the motion for the passage of the bill soon after presentation of the report of the standing committee on petroleum by its chairman Mustafa Mehmood. The bill cleared all the required stages in just one day as the committee had also approved it in a meeting held minutes before start of the NA session.

The opposition challenged the ruling of the chair on the motion allowing the minister to present the bill for passage, but faced a 99-44 vote defeat after the headcount.

Earlier on May 17, the NA had passed the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2024.

According to an official handout, during the meeting of the NA Standing Committee on Petroleum on Thursday morning, the petroleum minister gave a detailed briefing on the bill, highlighting its significance as part of Pakistan’s commitments under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility.

He noted that while the phase-out of captive power generation had long been under consideration, its implementation had been delayed due to prolonged political and economic constraints.

The minister emphasised that transitioning industries from captive power systems to the national grid was intended to optimise surplus electricity generation, improve efficiency in the power sector, and relieve financial pressures on the economy.

The minister informed the committee that a comprehensive consultation process had been completed in drafting the bill and acknowledged the instrumental role played by the NA speaker in facilitating this process.

He assured the committee that the bill was aimed at serving public interest without disrupting industrial operations and that protections for the industrial sector had been incorporated. He also highlighted high electricity prices as a major concern and underscored the need to fulfill public demand through grid supply.

It may be recalled that the government had already enforced the law through an ordinance and in March it had notified an increase in gas rates for industrial CPPs by about 23pc and scale down temptation for a substantial cut in power rates to get the policy negotiations going with the IMF in March this year.

Since the ordinance was about to complete its constitutional life, it was necessary for the government to get its approval from the National Assembly. Since it was a money bill, it was not required to be passed by the Senate.

However, the Senate committee on finance, which was only required to give recommendations to the NA, approved it without making any recommendations on May 16.

Resolution

Besides this, the National Assembly also passed a unanimous resolution calling on the government to strongly condemn India’s unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), terming it a clear violation of the agreement and an “act of war.”

The resolution was presented by Minister for Water Resources Mueen Wattoo after a brief debate on the matter before the chair, Abdul Qadir Patel of the PPP, read out prorogation order of the president, thus announcing the end of the summer session which had begun on May 5.

In their speeches, the lawmakers criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for suspending the treaty and accused him of acting with a hostile mindset.

The lawmakers also condemned the school bus attack in Khuzdar, blaming India for supporting the attackers.

Earlier, the proceedings of the assembly remained suspended for few minutes during the Question Hour when PTI Iqbal Afridi pointed out lack of quorum.

DAWN NEWS
 
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that nations no longer expect Islamabad to approach them with a “begging bowl” but rather seek engagement as equal partners in trade, investment, and innovation.

Shehbaz Sharif says allied nations expect Pakistan to engage as equal partners, not with a “begging bowl.

“China is the most time-tested friend of Pakistan. Saudi Arabia is one of the most reliable friends of Pakistan, and so are others such as Turkey, Qatar, and UAE,” said Shehbaz Sharif while addressing army officers at the Command and Staff College in Quetta, Balochistan.

“But let me point out abundantly here that they expect us now to engage them in trade, commerce, innovation, research and development, education and health, investments, and profitable ventures mutually. They no longer expect us to go there with a begging bowl,” he added.

Shehbaz Sharif said he and Field Marshal Asim Munir no longer want to carry the burden of dependency on their shoulders.

“I am the last person, along with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, willing to carry this burden any longer on my shoulders, because ultimately, it weighs on the shoulders of this great nation,” he said.

Sharif said the solution to Pakistan’s economic challenges lies in fully utilising the country’s natural and human resources for profitable ventures.

“So what is the answer? The answer is pure and simple that the natural resources, human resources, Allah Almighty has blessed us with, we must make full use of it and deploy them for these very profitable ventures,” he said.

Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan should come together, fight terrorism, and focus on growing exports instead of backing businesses that are not making money.

“If we are able to defeat terrorism, if we are able to put the nation together which is united like never before, and if we are absolutely clear in our vision that we have to promote export growth, we must not promote those idling units in Pakistan, who are not making profits,” said Shehbaz Sharif.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Link: https://www.hindustantimes.com/worl...-in-trade-shehbaz-sharif-101748727916154.html
 

ADB approves $800M financial package for Pakistan​


The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an $800 million financial package for Pakistan under the Resource Mobilization Reform Program (Subprogram-II).

According to the Ministry of Finance, the package includes a $300m policy-based loan (PBL) and a $500m program-based guarantee (PBG).

This significant development is the result of joint diplomatic efforts by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.

The initiative aims to enhance domestic resource mobilization and stabilize the economy through financial reforms, ministry officials said.

They added that the support will help improve the tax system, increase revenues, and promote fiscal discipline.

The program is also expected to broaden the country's revenue base and marks a key step toward economic self-reliance.

Read ADB board meets on June 3 to approve $800m Pakistan package

According to Asian Development Outlook Annual Report 2025, Pakistan’s real gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 2.5% in the fiscal year 2025, maintaining the same growth rate as in FY2024.

ADB projects that Pakistan’s growth will increase to 3.0% in FY20.

“Pakistan’s economy has benefitted from improved macroeconomic stability through robust reform implementation in areas such as tax policy and energy sector viability,” said ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan.

“Growth is projected to persist in 2025 and to increase in 2026. Sustained implementation of policy reforms is vital to buttress this growth trajectory and fortify fiscal and external buffers.”

Previously, ADB had postponed the approval of a $800m financing package for Pakistan for five days on the request of India that sought time to evaluate the loan documents, exposing flaws in the lender's rule book that allows such extensions.

The meeting was rescheduled to June 3, government officials added.

Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2549283/adb-approves-800m-financial-package-for-pakistan
 

Pakistan’s poverty rate rises to 44.7% under new World Bank thresholds​


The World Bank has revised the global income thresholds used to measure poverty, resulting in a big increase in Pakistan's poverty headcount, which now stands at 44.7%. However, experts caution that the updated figure may still not fully capture current realities due to reliance on outdated data from the 2018-19 Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES).

The Washington-based lender on Thursday released its new international poverty line to reflect changes in prices of goods and services and their implications on the global population.

The new poverty line for Pakistan, which is a lower middle-income country, is set at $4.20 per person per day, up from $3.65, said Christina Wieser, the senior poverty economist of the World Bank, while briefing media persons on Thursday.

She said that due to the upward revision, for the lower-middle income level, the poverty ratio has jumped from 39.8% of the old level to 44.7% on the threshold of $4.20 per day income.

The World Bank has also updated the extreme poverty line from $2.15 to $3 per person per day. Because of the revision in the threshold, 16.5% of the Pakistani population lives in extreme poverty, up from 4.9% under the previous $2.15 threshold, said Christina.

She said that one of the reasons for such a high jump was that the majority of the people were clustered around the $2.15 to $3 per day income level, which resulted in a significant surge.

About 82% of this increase in extreme poverty is due to the higher value of the new international poverty line reflecting increases in the national poverty lines of comparator countries, with the rest explained by price increases in Pakistan between 2017 and 2021, according to the World Bank.

The World Bank has not used the latest population census data and instead relied on the United Nations population dataset.

Christina also added that the underlying Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2018/19 data has been used for both national and international estimates. While international poverty lines are essential for tracking global progress and comparisons, national lines remain more appropriate for informing country-specific policy decisions, said the senior economist.

Also read: Rethinking Poverty: The Rise of New Poor in Pakistan

Anything that has affected since 2019 is not included, neither COVID-19 nor the 2022 floods, as the baseline remains the same, said Christina while responding to a question. We are desperately looking forward to the new household integrated economic survey to update our baseline, she added.

The local economists had estimated a sharp rise in poverty after the 2022 floods, which inundated one-fourth of the country and adversely impacted populations in three provinces.

These updates to the international poverty lines ensure that poverty estimates remain accurate and comparable across countries. The methodology remains consistent with past updates, continuing a practice that began with the introduction of the dollar-a-day line in 1990, according to the World Bank economist.

"The revisions help position Pakistan’s poverty levels in a global context and underscore the importance of continued efforts to reduce vulnerability and improve resilience," said Najy Benhassine, the outgoing World Bank Country Director for Pakistan.

For domestic policy and programme targeting, the national poverty line remains unchanged and continues to serve as the primary benchmark for assessing poverty within Pakistan, Christina said.

The forthcoming World Bank Poverty, Equity, and Resilience Assessment for Pakistan will provide critical context for interpreting these updated poverty estimates, she added. The report would offer a detailed update on poverty, inequality, and non-monetary outcomes, will investigate key drivers of poverty, and outline a forward-looking agenda to enhance prosperity and resilience for all Pakistanis.

According to the government’s last officially available numbers, which are based on the 2018-19 survey, 21.9% of the population was living below the national poverty line. However, because national poverty lines differ widely, the resulting poverty rates are not comparable internationally.

The need for new international poverty lines arises from the evolving price levels and cost of basic needs across the world and within income groups, according to Christina Wieser.

To maintain accurate global comparisons, the World Bank periodically updates these poverty lines. International poverty estimates are based on the headcount of people with consumption below the international poverty line, defined in purchasing power parities (PPPs).

Pakistan is among the countries experiencing the largest changes in poverty when transitioning to the 2021 PPPs based on the Low-Income International Poverty Line, according to the World Bank.

The World Bank said that the international poverty line should be used only for cross-country comparison and analysis; for evaluating poverty in a particular country (Pakistan), the national poverty line remains the appropriate standard.

The revisions help position Pakistan’s poverty levels in a global context and underscore the importance of continued efforts to reduce vulnerability and improve resilience.

The new figures reflect updated international thresholds and improved data from other countries, not deterioration in living standards, according to Christina.

Source: The Express Tribune
 
Economy has been killed by the mafia. On a generous interpretation we have lost around 13% of potential economic growth due the disaster of the coup by Bajwa and continued by the thuggish Munir. All this has happened when oil and gas prices have been half of what IK faced towards the last year of his reign. Agricultural has been hit by mafias propensity for commissions through imports
 
Economy has been killed by the mafia. On a generous interpretation we have lost around 13% of potential economic growth due the disaster of the coup by Bajwa and continued by the thuggish Munir. All this has happened when oil and gas prices have been half of what IK faced towards the last year of his reign. Agricultural has been hit by mafias propensity for commissions through imports
Add to it . there will be shortage of water in coming years for some obvious reasons.
 
This should help the the public.


Many goods, services will now be taxed at higher rates

ISLAMABAD: Facing limited room for fresh tax measures, the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government has resorted to rebranding taxation — shifting from “broadening the tax base” to pursuing “equity” — in an effort to justify higher taxes on lower-income segments. This transition comes as the government eyes a record revenue target of nearly Rs14 trillion for FY26, a 22 per cent increase over projections for the outgoing fiscal year.

To meet the ambitious target, the government will need an additional Rs655 billion in new tax measures and another Rs400bn through enforcement

🍿
 
Pakistan ramps up defence spending by 20 percent after India conflict

Pakistan has announced a major boost to defence spending in its new budget, just weeks after coming to the brink of a fifth war with archrival India.

The budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026, announced by the government on Tuesday, ramps up defence spending to 2.55 trillion rupees ($9bn), up 20 percent from the current fiscal year, which ends this month.

The hike in defence expenditures comes amid a cut in overall spending, which is shrinking by 7 percent to 17.57 trillion rupees ($62bn).

The budget reflects Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s goals of spurring growth while boosting Pakistan’s military in the wake of the most serious conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in nearly three decades.

The bitter foes attacked each other with fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery for several days in May before a ceasefire was declared.


 
Add to it . there will be shortage of water in coming years for some obvious reasons.

There will be no shortage of water.

Pakistan has to make dams at a rapid face. You are already wasting majority of the water that runs downstream
 
Pakistan ramps up defence spending by 20 percent after India conflict

Pakistan has announced a major boost to defence spending in its new budget, just weeks after coming to the brink of a fifth war with archrival India.

The budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026, announced by the government on Tuesday, ramps up defence spending to 2.55 trillion rupees ($9bn), up 20 percent from the current fiscal year, which ends this month.

The hike in defence expenditures comes amid a cut in overall spending, which is shrinking by 7 percent to 17.57 trillion rupees ($62bn).

The budget reflects Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s goals of spurring growth while boosting Pakistan’s military in the wake of the most serious conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in nearly three decades.

The bitter foes attacked each other with fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery for several days in May before a ceasefire was declared.



Getting huge discounts however in the weapons market from favourable countries. So overall good time to spend some and get good quality weapons. It’s the need of the hour. Let’s not be naive. WW3 is inevitable.
 
Add to it . there will be shortage of water in coming years for some obvious reasons.
The growth rate of 2.5% that has been claimed is just rubbish. Apparently they claimed that live stock has increased including an increase in the number of donkeys (maybe they are just thinking of the form 47 guys) but as we know the LSM is negative, at the same time SSM is positive. Really? 🤣🤣

If IK has stayed PM our economy would be close to being 20% bigger than what the duffers have managed. The establishment have destroyed PK economy and its institutions to stay in power.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Lollipop for salaried class and freeloaders in parliament ans senate get 5x salary increases.
 
Aurangzeb addresses post-budget press conference despite boycott from journalists

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is currently addressing a post-budget press conference to expand upon the proposed federal budget for the next fiscal year, after journalists staged a walkout.

According to a Dawn.com correspondent, the reporters voiced their concerns about not being given a technical briefing yesterday by the Federal Board of Revenue (FRB) on the Finance Bill 2025, which details the legislation for the proposed measures under the budget.

Subsequently, they walked out of the conference room in protest.

However, Aurangzeb soon continued with his press conference, flanked by FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial and Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal.

He reiterated the significance of the tariff reforms under the National Tariff Policy. “People ask us that the revenue will decline but if we have to take this country forward towards an export-led discussion […] I want to go into the details of the steps we have taken.”

The minister noted that additional customs duties were removed in four “lines”, while they were reduced in 2,700 tariff lines, which were “directly linked with those raw materials on the basis of which exporters will benefit”. He stressed these steps were just for the upcoming year and more measures will be taken eventually.

Echoing his remarks from yesterday, Aurangzeb stressed that the government tried to give relief “as much as possible” while considering the fiscal space. He also pointed out the 0.5pc reduction in super tax for the corporate sector.

Detailing the measures proposed for property buyers and sellers, he said: “Selling side still gets capital gains but the buying side should get some relief.”

Maintaining an aggressive stance on fiscal consolidation, as required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Aurangzeb on yesterday still managed to offer some notional relief to the salaried class in the federal budget for fiscal year 2025-26, along with incentives for the real estate and construction sectors, in an effort to revive the struggling industrial sector and stimulate economic growth.

At the same time, however, the government announced it was imposing a ‘carbon levy’ of Rs2.5 per litre on petrol, diesel and furnace oil in the upcoming fiscal year, to be doubled the following year.

It also introduced a 5 per cent tax on large pensions, an 18pc tax on imported solar panels, and an increase in the debt servicing surcharge on electricity to finance not only interest payments, but also principal debt. Additionally, it announced the gradual elimination of tax exemptions for the tribal areas beginning this year.

DAWN NEWS
 
3 years into puppet regime all SS has offered is destruction of economy, sovereignty , Law & violation of civil rights. Any pat-wari to throw a counter argument?
 
Pakistan signs $4.5 billion loans with local banks to ease power sector debt

Pakistan has signed term sheets with 18 commercial banks for a 1.275 trillion Pakistani rupee ($4.50 billion) Islamic finance facility to help pay down mounting debt in its power sector, government officials said on Friday.

The government, which owns or controls much of the power infrastructure, is grappling with ballooning “circular debt”, unpaid bills and subsidies, that has choked the sector and weighed on the economy.

The liquidity crunch has disrupted supply, discouraged investment and added to fiscal pressure, making it a key focus under Pakistan’s $7 billion IMF programme.

Finding funds to plug the gap has been a persistent challenge, with limited fiscal space and high-cost legacy debt making resolution efforts more difficult.

“Eighteen commercial banks will provide the loans through Islamic financing,” Khurram Schehzad, adviser to the finance minister, told Reuters.

The facility, structured under Islamic principles, is secured at a concessional rate of 3-month KIBOR, the benchmark rate banks use to price loans, minus 0.9%, a formula agreed on by the IMF.

Advertisement · Scroll to continue

"It will be repaid in 24 quarterly instalments over six years," and will not add to public debt, Power Minister Awais Leghari said.

Existing liabilities carry higher costs, including late payment surcharges on Independent Power Producers of up to KIBOR plus 4.5%, and older loans ranging slightly above benchmark rates.

Meezan Bank (AMZN.PSX), opens new tab, HBL (HBL.PSX), opens new tab, National Bank of Pakistan (NBPK.PSX), opens new tab and UBL (UBL.PSX), opens new tab were among the banks participating in the deal.

The government expects to allocate 323 billion rupees annually to repay the loan, capped at 1.938 trillion rupees over six years.

The agreement also aligns with Pakistan’s target of eliminating interest-based banking by 2028, with Islamic finance now comprising about a quarter of total banking assets.

REUTERS
 

Pakistan-UAE sign MoU on mutual exemption of entry visa requirements​


Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates signed on Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mutual exemption of visa entry requirements among other agreements during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission held in Abu Dhabi.

The session was co-chaired by Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Senator Ishaq Dar, and the UAE’s minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The two countries signed different agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in areas such as investment, artificial intelligence and the digital economy, reported Radio Pakistan.

The meeting was held in a spirit of mutual understanding and brotherhood, with both sides exchanging views on regional and international developments. They reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the region.

My Brother HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed @ABZayed and I signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for the holders of diplomatic & official passports of our two countries, at the conclusion, very late last night, of a highly productive 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint… pic.twitter.com/MQX671bhEk

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 25, 2025
Among the outcomes of the session was the signing of a protocol that establishes procedural frameworks for follow-up actions, sectoral working groups, and reciprocal visits.

It was pleasure to Co-Chair with Brother HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed @ABZayed the 12th Pak-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting, after gap of 12 years, in Abu Dhabi, which concluded very late last night; an important step in further deepening strategic, economic, and… pic.twitter.com/BYe4svVkpS

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 25, 2025

This meeting, scheduled in October 2024, was the first session of the JMC in 13 years. The last session took place in Islamabad from November 6 to 7, 2013. Dar had reached the UAE on Monday to represent Pakistan.

Both delegations expressed satisfaction with the progress made and agreed to convene the 13th session of the JMC in Pakistan on mutually agreed dates.

Before the official session, a preparatory working group of the JMC met under the leadership of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Tariq Bajwa and UAE Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh.

Officials reviewed the full scope of bilateral relations and agreed on practical measures to expand cooperation in trade, banking, investment, energy, aviation, railways, food security, healthcare, climate change, higher education, defence, manpower and information technology.

Read more: Pakistan, UAE sign multiple agreements to boost bilateral ties

Both countries emphasised the need to strengthen institutional mechanisms and promote inter-ministerial coordination to ensure follow-through on joint initiatives.

Source: The Express Tribune
 
Fixed gas charges jacked up by 50%

The government on Friday increased the fixed charges on gas bills by 50% and also jacked up gas tariffs for non-residential consumers but deferred a decision on import of up to 500,000 metric tons of sugar due to a disagreement over huge subsidies.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet, which took the decisions, also approved Rs2.6 trillion in supplementary grants for repayments of the domestic and foreign debts in the current fiscal year, ending on Monday.

The ECC's meeting, which was held just three days before the start of the new fiscal year, underscores challenges that the Finance Ministry will keep facing in the new fiscal year 2025-26 due to competing demands for unallocated subsidies.

"The ECC proposed adjustments in energy sector tariffs and decided to maintain gas prices to protect household consumers with only fixed charges re-adjusted in the domestic sector to recover the asset costs", according to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry after the ECC meeting.

It added that the ECC allowed the price of gas for bulk consumers, power plants operating on natural gas and industry to be increased by an average value of around 10%.

However, where the ECC did not change gas prices for residential consumers it significantly increased the fixed charges on the residential consumers by 50%. For the protected category of domestic consumers the fixed charges were increased by Rs200 to Rs600.

In the non-protected category, for monthly consumption of up to 1.5 hm3, the fixed charges were increased from Rs1,000 to Rs1,500. Likewise, the fixed charges for consumption of over 2 hm3 were increased from Rs2,000 to Rs3,000.

The prices were changed to meet a condition of the International Monetary Fund to biannually adjust the gas prices.

The Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority last month determined the Estimated Revenue Requirements (ERR) for FY 2025-26 for both SNGPL and SSGCL. According to the determinations, SNGPL requires revenues of Rs534.5 billion and SSGCL requires revenues of Rs354.2 billion to sail through the FY 2025-26 respectively. The cumulative revenue requirements of both the Sui companies are Rs888.6 billion for the FY 2025-26.

The law mandates the federal government to ensure that the consumer gas sale prices should not be less than the revenue requirement determined by the Authority. At the current notified consumer gas sale prices effective February 01, 2025 the estimated revenues of both Sui companies by end FY 2025-26 are Rs847.714 billion.

The ECC approved to increase the gas prices for bulk consumers by 9% to Rs3160 per mmbtu. It jacked up the rates for power plants by 17% to Rs1230 and 7% for the industrial gas connections to Rs2300 per mmbtu.

Some of the members of the ECC criticized giving guaranteed 24% return on assets to Sui companies, which discourage efforts to improve efficiency by reducing line losses.

Sugar Import

The ECC could not take a decision on a proposal of up to 500,000 sugar imports to meet the local shortage in future, caused by the export of 765,000 metric tons sugar by the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The ECC was told that inclusive of all taxes and duties, the imported sugar would cost Rs245 per kg, which is even higher than Rs190 local price. A member of the ECC said that the government has to give Rs85 per kg subsidy, which would require Rs42.5 billion supplementary grant in the next fiscal year.

However, during the meeting the Secretary Finance said that he would neither provide subsidies nor he would seek the permission of the IMF for allowing such subsidies or waive off the taxes and duties at the import stage. Without duty and taxes, the import price at the port is Rs153 per kg.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar led committee has determined the need for the import of 750,000 metric tons of sugar due to anticipated shortages in the month of October and onwards. The ECC members urged to free the sugar market and maintain only strategic reserves of about 500,000 metric tons.

An official handout of the Finance Ministry stated that the ECC considered a proposal brought on by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research for import of sugar to stabilize the sugar prices.

The ECC approved the proposal of the Ministry for constitution of a 10-member steering committee led by Federal Minister for MNFSR and including Federal Minister for Commerce, SAPM to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary Finance Division, Chairman FBR and others to come back to the ECC with their recommendations on the matter, it added.

Banks' subsidies

The Finance Ministry stated that the ECC also discussed a summary by the Finance Division regarding changes in the home remittances incentive schemes. It said that the ECC tasked the State Bank of Pakistan and the Finance Division to propose and present a proper plan by 31st July to ECC, ensuring impact analysis and a roadmap for a properly-managed transition.

The ECC was informed that the banks have demanded Rs200 billion claims on account of subsidies under the Pakistan Remittances Initiatives. The Finance Ministry has already discontinued the subsidy for the next fiscal year. The central bank representative told the ECC that the SBP cannot give any subsidy due to restrictions imposed by the IMF.

Some of the members of the ECC objected to giving up to Rs6 per dollar subsidy, which was not benefiting the remitters and instead the money was going in the pockets of the commercial banks and the exchange companies. They urged instead to facilitate the manufacturing sector.

Other decisions

The ECC approved another Rs15.8 billion supplementary grant for the Ministry of Defence to cover the shortfall in admissible pay and allowances, in employees-related and non-employees related expenditures and clear the outstanding dues as part of the PM's Package for the martyrs of the recent Pak-India war. It approved another Rs5.5 billion supplementary grant for Strategic Plans Divisions as rupee cover for Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) during CFY 2024-25.

The Cabinet body also considered a summary by the Finance Division for the launch of a risk coverage scheme for small farmers and under-served areas, and accorded in-principle approval to the proposal with instructions for further fine-tuning and incorporating in it additional safeguards before its planned launch on 14th August 2025.

The ECC was told that the scheme would likely bring 750,000 new agricultural borrowers into the formal financial system and generate an incremental credit portfolio of Rs300 billion during its disbursement tenure of 3 years from FY 26 to FY 28. The budgetary requirement for meeting risk coverage and operational cost of the banks is estimated to be Rs37.5 billion, spread over five years.

EXPRESS TRIBUNE
 
Fixed gas charges jacked up by 50%

The government on Friday increased the fixed charges on gas bills by 50% and also jacked up gas tariffs for non-residential consumers but deferred a decision on import of up to 500,000 metric tons of sugar due to a disagreement over huge subsidies.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet, which took the decisions, also approved Rs2.6 trillion in supplementary grants for repayments of the domestic and foreign debts in the current fiscal year, ending on Monday.

The ECC's meeting, which was held just three days before the start of the new fiscal year, underscores challenges that the Finance Ministry will keep facing in the new fiscal year 2025-26 due to competing demands for unallocated subsidies.

"The ECC proposed adjustments in energy sector tariffs and decided to maintain gas prices to protect household consumers with only fixed charges re-adjusted in the domestic sector to recover the asset costs", according to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry after the ECC meeting.

It added that the ECC allowed the price of gas for bulk consumers, power plants operating on natural gas and industry to be increased by an average value of around 10%.

However, where the ECC did not change gas prices for residential consumers it significantly increased the fixed charges on the residential consumers by 50%. For the protected category of domestic consumers the fixed charges were increased by Rs200 to Rs600.

In the non-protected category, for monthly consumption of up to 1.5 hm3, the fixed charges were increased from Rs1,000 to Rs1,500. Likewise, the fixed charges for consumption of over 2 hm3 were increased from Rs2,000 to Rs3,000.

The prices were changed to meet a condition of the International Monetary Fund to biannually adjust the gas prices.

The Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority last month determined the Estimated Revenue Requirements (ERR) for FY 2025-26 for both SNGPL and SSGCL. According to the determinations, SNGPL requires revenues of Rs534.5 billion and SSGCL requires revenues of Rs354.2 billion to sail through the FY 2025-26 respectively. The cumulative revenue requirements of both the Sui companies are Rs888.6 billion for the FY 2025-26.

The law mandates the federal government to ensure that the consumer gas sale prices should not be less than the revenue requirement determined by the Authority. At the current notified consumer gas sale prices effective February 01, 2025 the estimated revenues of both Sui companies by end FY 2025-26 are Rs847.714 billion.

The ECC approved to increase the gas prices for bulk consumers by 9% to Rs3160 per mmbtu. It jacked up the rates for power plants by 17% to Rs1230 and 7% for the industrial gas connections to Rs2300 per mmbtu.

Some of the members of the ECC criticized giving guaranteed 24% return on assets to Sui companies, which discourage efforts to improve efficiency by reducing line losses.

Sugar Import

The ECC could not take a decision on a proposal of up to 500,000 sugar imports to meet the local shortage in future, caused by the export of 765,000 metric tons sugar by the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The ECC was told that inclusive of all taxes and duties, the imported sugar would cost Rs245 per kg, which is even higher than Rs190 local price. A member of the ECC said that the government has to give Rs85 per kg subsidy, which would require Rs42.5 billion supplementary grant in the next fiscal year.

However, during the meeting the Secretary Finance said that he would neither provide subsidies nor he would seek the permission of the IMF for allowing such subsidies or waive off the taxes and duties at the import stage. Without duty and taxes, the import price at the port is Rs153 per kg.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar led committee has determined the need for the import of 750,000 metric tons of sugar due to anticipated shortages in the month of October and onwards. The ECC members urged to free the sugar market and maintain only strategic reserves of about 500,000 metric tons.

An official handout of the Finance Ministry stated that the ECC considered a proposal brought on by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research for import of sugar to stabilize the sugar prices.

The ECC approved the proposal of the Ministry for constitution of a 10-member steering committee led by Federal Minister for MNFSR and including Federal Minister for Commerce, SAPM to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary Finance Division, Chairman FBR and others to come back to the ECC with their recommendations on the matter, it added.

Banks' subsidies

The Finance Ministry stated that the ECC also discussed a summary by the Finance Division regarding changes in the home remittances incentive schemes. It said that the ECC tasked the State Bank of Pakistan and the Finance Division to propose and present a proper plan by 31st July to ECC, ensuring impact analysis and a roadmap for a properly-managed transition.

The ECC was informed that the banks have demanded Rs200 billion claims on account of subsidies under the Pakistan Remittances Initiatives. The Finance Ministry has already discontinued the subsidy for the next fiscal year. The central bank representative told the ECC that the SBP cannot give any subsidy due to restrictions imposed by the IMF.

Some of the members of the ECC objected to giving up to Rs6 per dollar subsidy, which was not benefiting the remitters and instead the money was going in the pockets of the commercial banks and the exchange companies. They urged instead to facilitate the manufacturing sector.

Other decisions

The ECC approved another Rs15.8 billion supplementary grant for the Ministry of Defence to cover the shortfall in admissible pay and allowances, in employees-related and non-employees related expenditures and clear the outstanding dues as part of the PM's Package for the martyrs of the recent Pak-India war. It approved another Rs5.5 billion supplementary grant for Strategic Plans Divisions as rupee cover for Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) during CFY 2024-25.

The Cabinet body also considered a summary by the Finance Division for the launch of a risk coverage scheme for small farmers and under-served areas, and accorded in-principle approval to the proposal with instructions for further fine-tuning and incorporating in it additional safeguards before its planned launch on 14th August 2025.

The ECC was told that the scheme would likely bring 750,000 new agricultural borrowers into the formal financial system and generate an incremental credit portfolio of Rs300 billion during its disbursement tenure of 3 years from FY 26 to FY 28. The budgetary requirement for meeting risk coverage and operational cost of the banks is estimated to be Rs37.5 billion, spread over five years.

EXPRESS TRIBUNE
Quite simply the Worst govt PK has ever had. This leaves the PPP and even earlier NS govts behind. At the same time as treating the public like crap, the law makers and govt Ministers have had 200% salary increases. They are rubbing the noses of poor PK in the dust. This is pure evil
 
Quite simply the Worst govt PK has ever had. This leaves the PPP and even earlier NS govts behind. At the same time as treating the public like crap, the law makers and govt Ministers have had 200% salary increases. They are rubbing the noses of poor PK in the dust. This is pure evil
Petroleum prices have also been increased now.... More problems for the poor people here.
 
Petroleum prices have also been increased now.... More problems for the poor people here.
But salaries for the elite are going up exponentially. The crooked Nani and the Estalishment have fleeced PK as if corruption is going out of fashion. Sugar prices at over 200 rps and all the Mills owned by the people in power. Nani has stolen a trillion Rps and 90% went on importing plastic for her face 🤣🤣
 
Last edited by a moderator:

PM Shehbaz unveils FBR’s first AI-powered customs system​


Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched Pakistan’s first-ever artificial intelligence-based Customs Clearance and Risk Management System (RMS), Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced during a meeting to review ongoing FBR reforms.

Under the new system, AI and BOTs will assess the nature and cost of imported and exported goods. Officials said the system will use machine learning to automate and refine customs operations over time, reducing delays and human intervention.

Initial testing showed a 92% improvement in system performance. Tax determination through Goods Declarations (GD) rose by 83%, while green channel clearances more than doubled.

The government expects the RMS to increase transparency, boost efficiency and reduce pressure on customs officials. The AI tools are designed to offer faster, more accurate estimates, saving time for both authorities and traders.

Prime Minister Sharif called FBR reforms a “top priority” and said automating the tax system would help ensure fairness and convenience for taxpayers.

“By automating the tax system, we are making it more transparent and effective,” the prime minister said adding that the technology-based modern system will bring ease in doing business and provide convenience to taxpayers.

The premier also reviewed new video analytics-based tax collection tools targeting the manufacturing sector.

These technologies are expected to enhance revenue collection without direct human involvement and were found to be 98% efficient during pilot tests.

Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb (Finance), Attaullah Tarar (Information), FBR Chairman and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Source: The Express Tribune
 
‘Economic uplift not possible sans modern systems’

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that transforming the outdated system into a modern, digital and effective governance model is among the government’s top priorities as economic development and prosperity are not possible without modernising the system to meet contemporary demands.

Presiding over a meeting to evaluate the performance of federal ministries, the prime minister directed officials to introduce reforms to enhance the performance of ministries and hire services of experts in every sector.

The prime minister formed a committee for recruiting the best workforce, aligning ministries with modern systems and improving governance through reforms.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Energy gave a detailed briefing on a system comprising experts for improving governance and implementing reforms.

PM tells ministries to introduce reforms to enhance performance; hire services of experts

The prime minister said the country could not achieve progress with a system that has been in place for seven decades.

He said the country has rich resources and its young workforce is the country’s most valuable asset, with many talented Pakistanis bringing fame to the country globally.

PM Shehbaz lauded Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Khan Leghari and his team for their efforts and emphasised that assistance from internationally renowned experts and consultants is crucial for system’s change, and introducing new thinking and governance methods through reforms aligning with modern requirements.

He said the energy ministry’s reforms, which brought about reduction in losses and saved billions of rupees for the national treasury, served as a model for other ministries to follow.

The PM directed the formation of a committee to finalise actionable proposals for restructuring other ministries and institutions in the light of reforms undertaken by the energy ministry.

The committee will also focus on recruiting the best workforce, aligning ministries with modern systems, and improving governance through reforms.

The meeting was also given a detailed briefing on profiles of the sector experts and the current working of the ministry under the established system.

Federal ministers Dr Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Chief Coordinator Mosharraf Zaidi, and other relevant senior officials attended the meeting.

World Population Day

In his message on World Population Day, PM Shehbaz Sharif said the government is fully committed to a comprehensive, rights-based population agenda with a focus on equitable access of people to healthcare, informed family planning and strengthening systems allowing individuals to make choices about their future with dignity and autonomy.

DAWN NEWS
 

>>>over 18 million Pakistanis are now officially unemployed, with the jobless rate at an unheard of 22 per cent. Youth unemployment has hit an all-time high of 29pc.<<<

Is this correct?
 

Aurangzeb dismisses criticism of enhanced FBR powers as 'propaganda'​


Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday dismissed criticism surrounding the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) enhanced powers, calling it "propaganda" and reaffirming that the new authority was approved lawfully and designed only to counter large-scale sales tax fraud.

Speaking to reporters at the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), Aurangzeb said the measures had been formally passed by the National Assembly in consultation with the Standing Committee, countering claims that the powers were imposed without oversight.

He clarified that the additional FBR powers apply exclusively to cases involving over Rs50 million in tax evasion not on ordinary businesses.

Read: Finance Act 2025: businesses bear brunt of tax reforms

“The new legal tools have been implemented solely to prevent fraudulent activity related to sales tax,” Aurangzeb said.

He announced that an important meeting with presidents of chambers of commerce will be held tomorrow, where the government will explain the scope and intent of the FBR’s actions to business leaders.

Boosting investor confidence

Aurangzeb called for stronger cooperation between local and foreign investors, saying such collaboration is critical to boosting economic recovery and long-term stability.

He said that the government had paid $2.3 billion in profits to multinational companies, a move aimed at reinforcing investor trust amid ongoing fiscal reforms.

He added that refund issues facing multinational firms would be resolved soon, as part of wider efforts to improve Pakistan’s business environment.

In a bid to deepen engagement, the senior leadership of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has been invited to Islamabad for a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Aurangzeb also said remittance volumes were commendable, and that macroeconomic indicators are expected to show further improvement in the coming days.

Read more: High population deters development

The finance minister said that the government had paid Rs75 billion in sales tax refunds this month and was encouraging private sector participation in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) facing financial losses.

Aurangzeb said the ECC was closely monitoring food prices monthly, noting that no irregularities had been observed in the prices of maize, rice, and pulses.

Commenting on the financial sector, the minister noted that Pakistan’s banking industry is consistently supporting the national economy, especially in the wake of recent liquidity and lending shifts.

He cited a fresh survey by the OICCI which he said reflects renewed investor confidence and signs of economic stability.

Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s banking sector must now increase lending to the private sector, as the country moves toward sustainable economic development.

The finance minister confirmed he had held a meeting earlier in the day with the Governor of the State Bank and presidents of commercial banks to discuss the financial sector’s evolving role.

He stated that Pakistan’s financial outlook has improved, leading to an increase in bank liquidity, which should now be directed toward boosting private sector credit, particularly for SMEs and agriculture.

Aurangzeb added that the Privatisation Commission has been handed 24 state-owned enterprises (SOEs), signalling a fresh push for divestment of loss-making public sector firms, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

“Banks have a critical role to play, especially in privatisation initiatives like PIA,” the minister said, suggesting that financial institutions collaborate with sponsors to revive distressed industries.

He called for joint efforts between public and private sectors to rehabilitate underperforming state institutions, framing it as essential to long-term structural stability.

Source: The Express Tribune
 
PM Shehbaz lauds economic team as surplus hits $2.1B

Pakistan’s current account surplus has recorded $2.1 billion in the fiscal year 2024–25 (FY25), reaching the highest level in 22 years and the first opening surplus in 14 years, ARY News reported.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for the achievement of this major landmark and lauded the economic teams of the government on their tireless efforts, stating the achievement is a result of sound financial management and policy improvements.

Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that Pakistan’s current account surplus was mainly supported by a considerable escalation in remittances from overseas Pakistanis, which rose by over 25% helping FY25 economic progress rise.

A good year-on-year increase of 8% was also seen in exports in June 2025, supporting the surplus directed alongside imports and improved foreign exchange reserves, which now exceed $19 billion.


 
PM Shehbaz lauds economic team as surplus hits $2.1B

Pakistan’s current account surplus has recorded $2.1 billion in the fiscal year 2024–25 (FY25), reaching the highest level in 22 years and the first opening surplus in 14 years, ARY News reported.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for the achievement of this major landmark and lauded the economic teams of the government on their tireless efforts, stating the achievement is a result of sound financial management and policy improvements.

Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that Pakistan’s current account surplus was mainly supported by a considerable escalation in remittances from overseas Pakistanis, which rose by over 25% helping FY25 economic progress rise.

A good year-on-year increase of 8% was also seen in exports in June 2025, supporting the surplus directed alongside imports and improved foreign exchange reserves, which now exceed $19 billion.


After fudging of the growth figures will this figure have any credibility? The best way to tell is when the Rp value changes for the better. The economic mismanagement and the corruption on a scale never seen before has left PKs reeling. Poverty has increased, electricity- that they promised would be free upto 300 units has led to the poor and lower middle class commiting suicide. The crooked Nani may have a new face on a monthly basis but the missing trillion in Punjab or another sugar scandal that has cost billions to the poor public already reeling from bitter tears of poverty.
The sugar scandal has led to the mafia blaming each other- the Nooras are claiming it's Naqvi that has made billions and the touts of the Generals claiming its the Sharifs. One thing for sure the PK public have been fleeced out of billions by one of these 2 crooked groups. Plague on both their houses.
 
Trump announces oil trade deal with Pakistan

US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that his administration has finalized a trade agreement with Pakistan, which includes plans for joint development of the country's "massive" oil reserves.

“We are in the process of choosing the Oil Company that will lead this Partnership. Who knows, maybe they’ll be selling Oil to India some day!,” Trump said in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

While specific details of the Pakistan deal were not immediately released, Trump said the White House is actively engaged in trade discussions with several countries, including South Korea. He confirmed a meeting with South Korean officials was scheduled for later in the day.


 
Back
Top