Extending the bullish spell for the ninth straight week, the KSE-100 index posted a solid gain of over 2 per cent, closing at 149,493 points, buoyed by strong buying interest and an influx of mutual fund investments. The positive momentum came despite political uncertainties and a volatile market environment. During the week, foreign inflows into mutual funds stood at $55.5m, contributing signi
Currency dealers in the banking market have reported a sharp 50 per cent decline in dollar sales by money changers this month, amid concerns that the grey market has re-emerged, buying dollars at higher prices. Dealers indicated that while remittance inflows remain unaffected, with July witnessing $3.2 billion in transfers, the drop in open market sales could destabilise the exchange rate. M
According to a Harvard study, when social markets move into the economic realm, people stop acting altruistically and begin engaging in cost-benefit analysis. In one experiment, when parents were fined for picking up their children late from daycare, tardiness ironically increased — and remained high even after fines were discontinued. This phenomenon suggests that monetary incentives corrupt s
As Pakistan navigates its challenges and emerges from diplomatic isolation, the Shehbaz Sharif government now seeks to convert economic stabilisation into inclusive growth to rebuild its political base. Achieving this requires substantial investment in job-creating sectors like agriculture and industry, hence the plan to launch Phase II of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) later this
In the middle of navigating economic disturbance, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to Islamabad was more than a routine diplomatic engagement for Pakistan, as it presented an opportunity to secure stronger Chinese financial and strategic support. Yet, even as the country seeks external backing, recent events at home — unprecedented rains and flash floods — have exposed deep-seate