ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to launch a sweeping initiative in its upcoming budget to discourage cash usage and propel the nation toward a digital economy, targeting the fuel sector as its starting point, Dawn newspaper reported on Monday.
Economy
Pakistan’s consumer confidence hits six-year high
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s consumer confidence has surged to its highest level in six years, according to the Ipsos Consumer Confidence Survey for the second quarter of 2025, released on Sunday.
FBR revenue gap nears Rs1 trillion in 11 months as economy falters
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) fell short of its revenue target by nearly Rs1 trillion in the first 11 months of fiscal year 2025, hampered by a faltering economy and plunging imports that gutted domestic sales tax receipts.
Petrol rises to Rs253.63/liter; diesel steady at Rs254.64/litre
ISLAMABAD: The government has raised the price of petrol by Re1 to Rs253.63 per litre for the next 15 days, effective June 1, while leaving high-speed diesel prices unchanged at Rs254.64 per litre, even as global oil markets remain largely subdued.
Trump says Pakistani trade talks set for next week
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the US will launch trade negotiations next week, President Donald Trump said on Friday, as a potential 29 percent reciprocal tariff threatens Pakistan’s $5.44 billion export market.
Pakistan Crypto Council set to draft rules amid active transaction ban
ISLAMABAD: The government-backed crypto body will meet next week to draft regulations for digital assets, a push to integrate the technology that clashes with an active ban on cryptocurrency transactions and central bank skepticism.
Aurangzeb, Greer open talks to avert Trump’s 29pc reciprocal tariffs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formally begun negotiations with the United States to tackle newly imposed reciprocal tariffs, with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer launching the process via a conference call on Friday, a senior official said.
Budget set for June 10 despite Eid holiday overlap
ISLAMABAD: The federal budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 will stick to its June 10 unveiling, shrugging off speculation of a delay tied to the Eidul Azha holidays, a top finance official said on Thursday.
Inflation seen at 1.5-2pc in May
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s inflation is expected to ease to between 1.5% and 2% in May, building on a record-low 0.3% in April, as cooling prices signal a strengthening economic recovery.
Pakistan unveils first government-led strategic bitcoin reserve
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Crypto and Blockchain, Bilal Bin Saqib, unveiled the country’s first government-led strategic bitcoin reserve at Bitcoin Vegas 2025, signaling the country’s entry into the global digital finance landscape