India’s abrupt suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 24, 2025, following a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir, has thrust South Asia into a perilous standoff, with Pakistan warning that any tampering with its water lifeline would be an “act of war.” The decision, outlined in a sharply worded letter from India’s Jal Shakti Ministry Secretary Debashree Mukherjee to her Pakistani counterpart Syed Ali Murtaza, dismantles a 65-year-old pact that has endured wars and crises, exposing the fragility of trust between two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Economy
Banking sector grows 15.8pc in 2024, NPLs decline: SBP
KARACHI: Pakistan’s financial system maintained its stability and operational strength in 2024 despite global headwinds, as improved macroeconomic conditions and regulatory safeguards helped curb credit risks and bolster capital buffers, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said in its annual Financial Stability Review (FSR) released on Thursday.
Pakistan relaunches PIA privatisation push with May 3 bid deadline
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has relaunched efforts to privatise its struggling national flag carrier, inviting expressions of interest by May 3, 2025 for a majority stake in Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) after a previous sale attempt failed.
Brokerage poll sees majority betting rate cut, yet SBP likely to stand pat
By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: The central bank may consider reducing interest rates next week as inflation slows, but worries about delayed foreign funding and global trade issues could lead to caution, a top brokerage firm said.
World Bank cuts Pakistan’s growth forecast, urges structural reforms
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has trimmed its growth forecast for Pakistan to 2.7 percent for fiscal year 2025, a slight dip from its previous estimate of 2.8 percent, signaling that without sweeping structural reforms to bolster private investment and export strength, the country’s economic and poverty woes will persist.
IMF cuts Pakistan growth outlook to 2.6pc amid US tariff blow
KARACHI: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut Pakistan’s growth forecast to 2.6 percent for the current fiscal year, down from 3 percent, as the US new tariffs, now at their highest levels in a century, on Pakistani goods threaten the country’s export-driven economy.
Pakistan seeks to boost US imports, remove barriers to escape Trump tariffs
KARACHI: Pakistan is seeking to increase its imports from the United States and eliminate non-tariff barriers in an effort to mitigate the impact of high tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
Reforms, recovery in focus as Aurangzeb meets Georgieva, Banga at Spring Meetings
By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met with the heads of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank on Monday, launching a critical series of high-level consultations in Washington aimed at bolstering the country’s fragile economic recovery.
Pakistan inflation nears zero in April, deflation looms
KARACHI: The inflation is set to bottom out in April 2025, potentially dipping into deflationary territory, as a sharp decline in food and electricity prices drives the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to unprecedented lows, a brokerage report said in Monday.
Finance Minister heads to Washington for IMF, World Bank meetings
By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb left for Washington on Saturday to attend the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meetings, aiming to secure further financial support and reassure investors as the country implements reforms under a $7 billion IMF bailout program.