ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s trade deficit widened sharply in the first seven months of the fiscal year, driven by a surge in imports and a drop in exports, according to official data released on Monday, showing persistent pressures on the country’s external accounts amid economic challenges.
Top Stories
Inflation edges up to 5.8 percent in January, matching forecasts
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s consumer prices rose 5.8% from a year earlier in January, official data showed, aligning with the finance ministry’s forecast and highlighting the central bank’s caution that inflationary pressures may linger as the economy gathers pace.
Pakistan squad reaches Sri Lanka for World Cup as ICC calls urgent meeting over India match boycott
LAHORE: Pakistan’s cricket team landed in Sri Lanka on Monday for the T20 World Cup as the International Cricket Council has called an emergency meeting over Islamabad’s order to boycott the match against rivals India.
Pakistan seeks to fast-track projects under $20 billion World Bank partnership
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga agreed on Monday to accelerate the implementation of development projects and bolster oversight mechanisms, as the cash-strapped South Asian nation pushes forward with a broad reform agenda backed by international lenders.
Pakistan rules out talks, vows full force against Balochistan militants
ISLAMABAD: The defence minister said on Monday the state would not negotiate with militants behind a wave of attacks in Balochistan, describing the violence as a cover for criminal activities linked to smuggling networks and foreign support, as security forces reported killing more than 170 terrorists in counter-operations.
Security forces kill 22 more militants in Balochistan operations, toll hits 177
QUETTA: The security forces have killed 22 more militants in ongoing operations in the southwestern province of Balochistan, bringing the total number of insurgents eliminated over the past three days to 177, security officials said on Monday, as sweeps continued following a wave of coordinated separatist attacks.
PM Sharif holds rare meeting with KP Afridi in bid to ease security, fiscal strains
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met on Monday with the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province governed by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, to discuss pressing issues of security, finance and development, a rare display of cross-party dialogue in Pakistan’s fractious politic.
Pakistan to play T20 World Cup, but snubs India clash
ISLAMABAD: The government has approved Pakistan’s cricket team’s participation in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup but barred it from playing a scheduled group stage match against arch-rivals India, setting up a potential clash with the sport’s governing body over the tournament’s hosting arrangements
Security forces killed 145 militants in Balochistan in 40 hours, chief minister says
QUETTA: Security forces in Pakistan’s Balochistan province killed 145 militants in operations over the past 40 hours after separatist gunmen carried out coordinated attacks that left dozens dead, the provincial chief minister said on Sunday, as officials accused neighbouring India of orchestrating the violence.
FBR tax haul rises 16 percent in January, boosting fiscal outlook despite shortfall
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) posted a 16% rise in tax collections for January, reaching Rs1.015 trillion and beating the previous six months’ average growth rate, officials said, signalling a potential turnaround in meeting fiscal targets despite missing the monthly goal.