News

Trump’s contradictory stance on oil

With the advent of the second Trump era last Monday, uncertainty has engulfed the world on various fronts. And the world of energy is no exception. Within a week of taking the oath of office, President Donald Trump has rattled the energy markets. Moving on his campaign mantra, ‘Drill, baby, drill,’ on his first day in office, he signed an executive order promising to “unleash America’s affordab

Finance: Keeping the economy steady

Pakistan’s deep state is watching every action of the second Trump administration in the US cautiously. PTI, the main opposition party, thinks the change of guard in Washington may somehow help it defuse existential threats. That may be why it keeps sending mixed signals about its willingness to cooperate. On the international front, Pakistan’s politics is becoming increasingly entrenched in the b

Agriculture: Circular bioeconomy — turning waste into wealth

The circular bioeconomy, with its rapidly growing global significance, offers immense opportunities for agricultural countries like Pakistan. It revolves around transforming agricultural waste, by-products, and co-products into food, bioenergy, and other materials through recycling, reusing, and repurposing. It reduces the reliance on virgin resources, particularly fossil fuels and petrochemica

Fiscal potential of agricultural taxation

The taxation of Pakistan’s agricultural sector remains a contentious issue, driven by its significant contribution to the national GDP of around 24 per cent yet its disproportionately low contribution to tax revenue, amounting to less than 1pc — less than Rs4 billion of total taxes collected. Advocates for agricultural income tax (AIT) argue it could provide a critical revenue stream, potential

PM’s nod sought for lawmakers’ pay hike

After criticism of a proposed increase in the salaries of parliamentarians, the issue has been sent to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approval, Dawn has learnt. “The issue has been sent to the PM because being the chief executive, he can ask the finance ministry for a raise even if it’s not covered in the money bill,” a government insider said. The PM is now expected to consult the federa