On July 19, 2025, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal called for urgent reforms to revitalize Pakistan’s agricultural sector during a visit to a cotton research farm on Defence Road, Lahore. Highlighting the shortcomings in implementing the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which devolved agriculture to provincial control in 2010, Iqbal expressed...
The European Union (EU) has imposed sanctions on the Vadinar oil refinery in Gujarat, India, as part of its 18th sanctions package over Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The refinery, operated by Nayara Energy and partly owned by Russian state-controlled energy giant Rosneft, which holds a 49.13% stake, has been targeted for its role in...
The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has issued a fresh demand for an immediate increase in fuel profit margins, warning that the survival of petrol pumps across the country is at risk due to rising operational costs and stagnant margins. PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan expressed frustration over the government’s failure to address the issue,...
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced a strong crackdown on illegal, counterfeit, and non-Federal Excise Duty (FED) stamped cigarettes across Pakistan, issuing formal orders under Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) 1279(I)/2025, effective immediately. The directive empowers provincial tax officials to seize illicit cigarettes and aims to curb tax evasion, boost government revenue, and protect...
The federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, approved a 15% increase in pensions under the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), effective from January 1, 2025, and extended a five-year duty exemption for importing life-saving drugs for cancer, heart diseases, and critical care. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office Media...
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif hailed the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) reaching its historic peak as a testament to growing investor confidence, highlighting the government’s collective efforts toward economic progress. Addressing a federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Sharif announced that every ministry’s performance will be evaluated every two months, with commendations for excellence and disciplinary...
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly, chaired by Nisar Khuhro, on Tuesday ordered the blacklisting of eight non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including HANDS and SRSO, and the cancellation of their registrations and licenses for failing to provide audit records for over Rs. 800 million in funding under the Community Development Program. The Social...
Sugar prices in Sindh, particularly in Karachi, have spiked again, with wholesale rates rising from Rs. 180 to Rs. 183 per kg and retail prices reaching Rs. 190–195 per kg, according to Abdul Rauf Ibrahim, Chairman of the Grocers and Wholesalers Association. The sudden halt in sugar supply from interior Sindh has disrupted market balance,...
Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Sunday to finalize sector-specific action plans based on a comprehensive report by Chinese experts, aimed at boosting economic cooperation between Pakistan and China. The report, compiled after a visit by Chinese delegations, outlines recommendations to enhance collaboration...
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan announced measures to strengthen trade relations between Pakistan and Vietnam, emphasizing increased bilateral trade and Pakistan’s exports. Speaking with the media on Saturday, Khan highlighted Vietnam’s dynamic economy, with a 7.5% GDP growth rate and a trade volume nearing $800 billion, projected to reach $1 trillion soon. He...