Pakistan’s large-scale manufacturing (LSM) sector contracted by 0.74% in fiscal year 2025, falling significantly short of the government’s ambitious 3.5% growth target, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Friday.
Macro
Pakistan locks in 85,000 tons of sugar imports from Azerbaijan’s SOCAR to ease price surge
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has secured Letters of Credit through Azerbaijan’s state-owned SOCAR for the import of 85,000 metric tons of sugar, a move designed to avert shortages and rein in retail prices that have soared past 200 rupees per kilogram.
Diesel drops Rs12.84, petrol unchanged
KARACHI: The government slashed the price of high-speed diesel by Rs12.84 per liter, or 4.5%, while holding petrol steady for the fortnight through August 31, responding to shifts in international oil prices.
SBP forecasts stronger growth, stable inflation, modest deficit in FY26
KARACHI: Pakistan’s central bank anticipates economic growth accelerating to as much as 4.25% in fiscal year 2026, with inflation holding steady within target as the benefits of prior interest-rate reductions continue to ripple through the economy.
Moody’s lifts Pakistan’s credit ratings to Caa1 on reserves rebound, IMF progress
KARACHI: Moody’s Ratings upgraded Pakistan’s local- and foreign-currency issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings to Caa1 from Caa2, pointing to the country’s strengthening external buffers and headway on reforms tied to its $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
FM Aurangzeb sees room for rate cuts
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb signalled on Wednesday that the central bank could lower interest rates further before the end of 2025, a move aimed at sustaining the country’s nascent economic recovery.
Pakistan greenlights Rs141bn for Q1 development push as economy gains traction
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rolled out a Rs141 billion funding package for federal development projects in the first quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year, part of a broader strategy to sustain a burgeoning economic recovery driven by soaring exports, a historic current account surplus, and a sharp drop in inflation, officials said Tuesday.
Pakistan business sentiment at highest since 2021 amid economic reforms: survey
ISLAMABAD: Nearly half of Pakistani businessmen believe the country is on the right track, a Gallup Pakistan survey showed Monday, marking the highest confidence level since late 2021 as economic and political stabilisation efforts gain traction.
Pakistan, US near trade deal finalisation with focus on oil and lower tariffs – Bloomberg
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States are in the final stages of negotiations to cement a trade and investment agreement that could reshape economic ties, bolstered by a reduced US tariff rate of 19 percent on Pakistani goods.
Pakistan eyes major US investment in copper sector after tariff deal
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is poised for a significant boost in its mining sector with anticipated US investment and increased copper exports following a breakthrough bilateral tariff agreement, the Dawn newspaper reported on Monday.