News

PSX ends higher despite policy rate surprise

The KSE-100 index closed higher by 447.43 points, or 0.32 per cent, at 138,412.25 on Wednesday, following a volatile session driven by speculation over the central bank’s monetary policy decision. The index fluctuated between an intraday high of 139,018.88 and a low of 137,658.81. Early trading witnessed selling pressure from leveraged investors amid uncertainty over a potential interest rate c

Fury erupts as Rs7.41 per unit relief reversed

The business community has voiced serious concerns over the abrupt withdrawal of a promised Rs7.41 per unit electricity relief and the prolonged outage of the 969-megawatt Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP), warning of accelerating de-industrialisation. These grievances surfaced during a public hearing held by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), on the Central Power P

Sindh extends 18pc return to boost Thar coal investment

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday chaired the 29th meeting of the Thar Coal & Energy Board (TCEB), where key initiatives were approved to boost the region’s coal mining and power generation capacity. Speaking at the meeting held at CM House, Mr Shah said Thar’s coal-based projects have added over 2,600 megawatts (MW) to the national grid since 2019, supplying affordable electr

High interest rate stokes private sector woes

The business community, except multinationals, has expressed intense disappointment over the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) decision to maintain the policy rate at 11 per cent, warning that the move could stifle economic revival and increase pressure on an already struggling private sector. Presenting a contrasting view, M. Abdul Aleem, Chief Executive and Secretary General of the Overseas Inve

Senate panel to hear PSM stakeholders

The Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production is set to begin a two-day session in Karachi from Aug 1, during which it is expected to hear the Pakistan Steel Mills Company (PSMC) Stakeholders’ Group. The group aims to present a fact-based briefing on the troubled state-owned enterprise’s affairs. In a letter addressed to Committee Chairman Senator Aon Abbas, the group expressed its