ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s securities regulator has secured the country’s first-ever conviction against a bank executive for insider trading, a move that could strengthen trust in its capital markets and signal tougher oversight ahead.
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Pakistan plans rail upgrade to support Reko Diq mining project
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a sweeping upgrade to the country’s railway infrastructure, including an extension to the Reko Diq mining project in southwestern Balochistan, as the government moves to bolster transport capacity ahead of production at one of the world’s largest untapped copper and gold deposits.
Current account swings to deficit in May on trade gap
KARACHI: Pakistan’s current account posted a deficit of $103 million in May 2025, reversing a surplus of $47 million in the previous month, as a widening trade gap offset gains from robust remittances, the State Bank of Pakistan’s data showed on Tuesday.
Pakistan, US agree to speed up trade deal after virtual tariff talks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States have agreed to accelerate trade deal talks, with the goal of finalizing it “at the earliest,” after a virtual meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick held to discuss US reciprocal tariffs on Pakistani exports.
Govt curbs tax officers’ arrest powers after business backlash
ISLAMABAD: The government is rethinking sweeping new powers that would allow tax officers to arrest suspected tax evaders, responding to an outcry from businesses and lawmakers who fear the measures could lead to harassment and abuse.
SBP stays put on rate, flags oil price risks from Middle East crisis
KARACHI: Pakistan’s central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 11 percent on Monday, signaling a cautious stance as inflation edges higher and economic growth gathers pace.
Pakistan says oil stocks can weather Middle East storm, but risks linger
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan currently holds sufficient petroleum reserves and faces no immediate threat of supply disruptions, the finance ministry said on Monday, even as escalating tensions between Israel and Iran inject fresh volatility into global oil markets.
Senate panel rejects FBR’s tax fraud arrest powers
ISLAMABAD: A Senate committee on Sunday shot down a Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) proposal that would have let tax officials arrest suspected fraudsters during investigations without court approval.
Pakistan raises fuel prices as Middle East conflict roils oil markets
ISLAMABAD: The government increased fuel prices sharply on late Sunday, with petrol climbing by Rs4.80 per liter and diesel by Rs7.95 per liter, effective immediately.
India’s bid to downgrade Pakistan at FATF fails, Islamabad retains reporting status
ISLAMABAD: India’s latest attempt to tarnish Pakistan’s financial reputation has fallen flat, as the global money laundering watchdog chose to keep Islamabad under a reporting mechanism rather than relegating it to a more punitive status, despite New Delhi’s concerted push, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday.