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Govt asked to lift curbs on import of medical devices

The Healthcare Devices Association of Pakistan (HDAP) has urged the federal government to lift restrictions on medical equipment imports. The appeal comes as the customs authorities continue to block shipments after the expiry of regulatory exemptions on Dec 31, 2024. The exe­m­ptions had allowed registered and unregistered importers to bring the medical devices — from ventilators to thermomete

Govt working on regulating digital currencies: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the government was working on regulating digital currencies. Presiding over an Economic Advisory Council (EAC) meeting, the prime minister said: “Consultations are underway regarding the regulation of digital currencies.” A Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) source told Dawn that the PM believed the world was turning towards digital currencies.

600 trucks stuck at Pak-Iran border

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance has expressed concern over the backlog of trucks at the Pak-Iran border, citing bureaucratic obstacles as a major trade barrier. The committee urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the issue. During a meeting chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, members discussed key financial and trade challenges, including tax reforms, money bills a

Discos petition to refund Rs7.8bn

With a 1.6 per cent growth in electricity demand over last year, the public sector power distribution companies (Discos) have sought about Rs2 per unit negative fuel price adjustment (FCA) for electricity consumed in January as nuclear power emerged as the single largest source with 27pc contribution to the national grid. If approved, the ex-Wapda Distribution Companies (Disco) would have to re

SOE losses swell to Rs851bn in FY24

The Ministry of Fin­ance (MoF) on Wednesday reported the aggregate losses of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) at Rs851 billion during 2023-24 and their total loans at Rs9.2 trillion — almost equal to FBR revenues — posing serious financial and credit risks. In its Aggregate Annual Report of federal SOEs for FY24, as required under the IMF programme, the MoF said that after accounting for prof