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Halt FBR\'s purchase of 1,010 cars

A Senate panel on Wednesday called for cancelling the contract for buying 1,010 new cars for tax officers, but the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) contended that it needs these vehicles to locate non-filers and physical verification of tax returns filed online. The committee decided to write to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the finance minister, and the Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues (

PSX loses 1,599 points on political uncertainty

Amid anticipation of a sixth straight cut in the interest rate next week, Pakistani sha­res continued a southward journey despite the res­u­m­ption of aggressive foreign buying on Wednes­day. As a result, the benchmark KSE 100 index tumbled below the 114,000 level due to political and taxation uncertainties. Topline Securities Ltd Chief Executive Moham­med Sohail said the uncertainty about the

Unsustainable stability

THE system is wobbling again. Pressures are mounting and getting too comfortable with the current episode of economic stability could prove a costly mistake. Just consider a few data points from the recent past. Start with this: recently, the finance minister, as well as the State Bank governor have issued public assurances that the foreign exchange reserves of the country are comfortable and c

Microsoft relaxes data centre grip on OpenAI amid $500bn joint venture

Microsoft on Tuesday said it has changed some key terms of a deal with OpenAI after the ChatGPT creator announced a joint venture with Oracle and Japan’s SoftBank Group to build up to $500 billion of new AI data centres in the United States. President Donald Trump gathered the leaders of the “Stargate” effort at the White House on Tuesday to announce the deal, saying it was intended to help kee

India and US trying to arrange Modi meeting with Trump next month

Indian and American diplomats are trying to arrange a meeting in February between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in Washington, two Indian sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters. India, a strategic partner of the United States in its efforts to counter China, is keen to enhance trade relations with the US and make it easier for its citizens to get