ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has repaid more than Rs3,650 billion in debt ahead of schedule for the first time in its history, while a virtual investor roadshow drew unprecedented participation from global asset managers, signalling renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, an advisor to the finance minister said.
Macro
Pakistan textile exporters warn of hit from India-EU trade deal
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s textile exporters face mounting pressure from a newly finalised free trade agreement between India and the European Union, industry leaders and analysts warned on Wednesday, as the government pledged to review cost-of-doing-business challenges to bolster competitiveness.
Finance Ministry sees January inflation holding at 5 percent to 6 percent as growth gains
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s inflation is projected to remain within the range of 5-6% in January 2026, the Finance Division said on Tuesday, as the economy showed signs of sustaining its growth momentum amid easing price pressures and structural reforms.
Top constitutional court upholds super tax on big earners
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitution Court on Tuesday upheld the legality of a controversial super tax in a landmark decision that affirms parliament’s broad powers to impose levies and safeguards billions in government revenue earmarked for rehabilitating terrorism-displaced families.
SBP holds policy rate at 10.5 percent as growth quickens, defying cut calls
KARACHI: The central bank on Monday kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 10.5%, surprising analysts who expected further easing after inflation cooled and reserves swelled, as policymakers flagged sticky underlying prices and a bigger trade gap despite a brighter growth picture.
Pakistan scraps state-to-state airport deals, moves to open auctions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is shifting the outsourcing of its three biggest airports to an open bidding process after drawing strong interest from investors, a move that scraps earlier plans for government-to-government deals and aims to spur competition.
National Savings cuts most profit rates after treasury yields slide
KARACHI: The Central Directorate of National Savings slashed profit rates on most of its savings schemes, aligning with bets on further monetary easing as inflation cools and the economy stabilises.
SBP rate decision next week to test inflation, growth balance
KARACHI: The central bank is poised to ease monetary policy further at its meeting next week, with most economists expecting a half-percentage-point cut that would push the benchmark interest rate deeper into easing territory amid cooling inflation and strengthening external buffers.
Pakistan sees 25 percent increase in foreign aid with IMF’s backing
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign assistance inflows surged more than 25% in the first half of the fiscal year, driven largely by stepped-up program support from the International Monetary Fund, providing a crucial buffer for the cash-strapped South Asian economy amid ongoing balance-of-payments pressures.
IMF’s Georgieva praises Pakistan’s progress, calls for continued reforms
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sat down with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva during the World Economic Forum in Davos, putting a spotlight on Islamabad’s work to promote its economic recovery.