Diplomats and business leaders from across Southeast Asia gathered at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Monday for the ASEAN Trade & Tourism Conference where speakers called for stronger economic ties between Pakistan and the 10-member regional bloc and identified key barriers hindering greater trade and investment. Presiding over the conference, LCCI President Faheem-ur-Rehman Saigo
Advisor to KP CM on Finance Muzzammil Aslam has said that federal tax revenues are expected to fall short by 800 to 1,000 billion rupees in the current fiscal year, while the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) has been reduced by 180 billion rupees. In a statement issued here from his office on Wednesday, Muzzammil Aslam stated that as a result of these two measures, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The dollar firmed on Wednesday as investors awaited a closely watched Federal Reserve rate decision in what was likely to be Chair Jerome Powell’s swan song, with war in the Middle East raging and hopes for an imminent resolution dimming. Currencies held tight ranges in thinned Asia trade, with markets in Japan closed for a holiday and a slew of major central bank decisions still on deck.
Gold was largely steady in choppy trade on Wednesday as investors awaited US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments to gauge the impact of the Iran war on the economy amid stalled peace talks. Spot gold was up 0.1% at $4,597.07 per ounce, as of 0243 GMT, after falling to its lowest level since April 2 in the previous session. US gold futures for June delivery were steady at $4,610.20
Oil prices rose on Wednesday, extending a multi-day rally, on reports the US will extend its blockade of Iranian ports, likely prolonging supply disruptions from the key Middle East producing region. US President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported late on Tuesday, citing US officials. Trump will opt to continue t