News

Lapses, delays hamper auctions of power plants

The government’s ambitious plan to auction old and defunct public sector generation plants under Genco Holding Company Limited (GHCL) — aimed at curtailing operation and maintenance (O&M) expenditure — is in serious trouble, compelling authorities to consider handing over the scrap to Wah Industries of the Ministry of Defence. Sources said the first round of auction, which appeared to be a succ

It is not about the tax-to-GDP ratio

Pakistan’s economic trajectory over the past decade reflects enduring policy missteps and leadership failures. Since 2013, the country has averaged just 3.5 per cent GDP growth annually, significantly trailing regional peers. During the same period, the external trade deficit has persistently hovered around 7–8pc of GDP, financed increasingly by external borrowing. These dynamics underline deep st

EU ‘holding back’ in search of tariff deal with Trump

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday that Brussels will continue to hold off on hitting back at US steel and aluminium tariffs, as it seeks a deal to avoid broader 30 per cent levies. US President Donald Trump on Saturday threw months of painstaking negotiations into disarray by announcing that he would hammer the 27-nation bloc with the sweeping tariffs if no agreement is reached by Au

New authority established to oversee agri-trade infrastructure

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research has merged two key departments — the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) and the Animal Quarantine Department (AQD) — to form the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA), aimed at modernising Pakistan’s agricultural trade infrastructure in line with global phytosanitary and food safety standards. The DPP was originally establish

Iran to launch direct flights from Quetta to boost travel, trade

Iran Air plans to launch direct weekly passenger and cargo flights from Quetta to the Iranian cities of Zahidan and Mashhad in a move aimed at boosting trade and travel between the neighbouring countries, an Iranian diplomat announced on Saturday. The new air service will help facilitate commerce, reduce travel time and costs for traders, and strengthen bilateral ties, said Ali Reza Rajai, Iran