A new study by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has proposed sweeping tax and structural reforms to improve efficiency and competitiveness in the country’s cement sector. The report highlights that reducing distortions and improving policy frameworks could unlock long-term growth in one of Pakistan’s key industries. The study, titled Competition Assessment of the Cement...
Pakistan’s exports declined by 7.14% during the first nine months (July–March) of the current fiscal year 2025-26, reflecting continued pressure on the country’s external sector. According to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, total exports dropped to Rs6,393 billion compared to Rs6,884 billion in the same period last year. Monthly exports in March stood...
Punjab is expected to face an intense heatwave in the coming weeks, with temperatures in some areas likely to climb as high as 52°C, according to weather authorities. Officials have issued warnings as rising temperatures threaten to create extreme conditions across the province. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has indicated that temperatures will remain significantly...
The federal government has approved Rs4.4 billion to clear pending pension and medical dues of retired employees of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), providing relief to hundreds of former staff. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. The allocation is part of a...
US President Donald Trump is reportedly dissatisfied with Iran’s latest proposal to end the ongoing conflict, casting doubt over prospects for a near-term peace agreement. According to US officials, the proposal fails to meet Washington’s key demands, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran’s plan reportedly focuses on ending hostilities first and resolving disputes over shipping...
President of the Karachi Electronics Dealers Association, Rizwan Irfan, has announced a new initiative aimed at tackling mobile phone theft in the city. He urged citizens from across the province to report stolen phones to the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), assuring them that the association would help recover devices if they surfaced in local markets....
The Iranian rial continues to trade at significantly different rates in Pakistan, with a notable gap between the official benchmark and the open market value as of April 25, 2026. According to available data, the international mid-market rate stands at around 1 Pakistani rupee, equaling approximately 4,700 to 4,730 Iranian rials. However, in Pakistan’s informal...
The Government of Punjab has announced a major savings drive, cutting Rs35 billion from the health and education sectors to meet financial targets linked to International Monetary Fund (IMF) commitments. The decision includes surrendering unspent funds for the current fiscal year and eliminating nearly 150,000 vacant government positions. Officials say the measures are aimed at...
Veteran actor Shaan Shahid, speaking during a recent interview, said that fellow stars Humayun Saeed and Fahad Mustafa tend to remain within their “comfort zones” rather than pushing creative boundaries. Shahid acknowledged that both actors are successful, but they prefer familiar formulas over experimentation. He remarked that while collaboration is always a learning opportunity, some...