By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Pakistan stocks cratered to an intraday low of 8,687 points on Monday—its biggest point drop ever—before closing 3.3 percent lower, reeling from a global sell-off sparked by China’s retaliatory tariffs on the U.S.
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Pakistan’s $6 billion US trade faces Trump tariff squeeze
By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Pakistan’s exports to the US are poised to take a hit after President Donald Trump unleashed a 29 percent tariff on Pakistani imports, part of a broad salvo hitting dozens of countries as he ramps up a global trade war.
Inflation crashes to 0.7pc in March
Inflation rate slowed to 0.7 percent in March, the lowest in over three decades, driven by weak demand and economic reforms, with urban inflation falling to 1.2 percent and rural inflation remaining flat.
Pakistan digital payments jump 11pc on mobile banking surge
By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Pakistan’s digital payment landscape continued to strengthen in the second quarter, with retail transactions increasing 11 percent in volume to Rs2.143 billion and 12 percent in value to Rs154 trillion.
IMF-backed token Re1 power tariff cut hits legal roadblock
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has secured International Monetary Fund (IMF) approval for a modest Re1 per unit cut in electricity prices, but the meager relief hinges on a contentious levy on industrial gas users—a condition now mired in legal disputes.
SBP reserves fall 4.8pc to six-month low in one week on debt repayments
By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) fell by $540 million or 4.84 percent in a single week, reaching a six-month low of $10.61 billion as of March 21, data released on Thursday showed, driven primarily by external debt repayments.
Economy grows 1.73 percent in second quarter
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s economy expanded 1.73 percent in the second quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25, driven by solid growth in agriculture and services, despite a slight contraction in the industrial sector, the National Accounts Committee (NAC) said on Wednesday.
IMF staff approves $1 billion loan, $1.3 billion RSF for Pakistan
Pakistan has reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF, unlocking $1 billion under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and providing $1.3 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The agreement, subject to IMF Executive Board approval, supports Pakistan’s efforts in building resilience to natural disasters and promoting climate adaptation, while also praising the country’s progress in restoring macroeconomic stability.
March inflation forecast to remain muted
The headline inflation is expected to remain steady within a 1-1.5 percent range in March, according to the Finance Division’s Monthly Economic Update and Outlook. However, the ministry warned that inflation could edge up to 2-3 percent in April due to potential volatility in food and energy prices. The country’s inflation has been on a declining trend since peaking at 38 percent in May 2023, and the government’s efforts to tighten spending and boost revenue have led to a primary surplus and a narrowed fiscal deficit.
Drought alert issued for three provinces as temperatures soar, rainfall plummets
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a drought alert on Monday for Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab provinces, where rainfall from Sept. 1, 2024, to March 21, 2025, was 40 percent below normal.