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Why are multinationals exiting Pakistan? Here’s what analysts have to say

American multinational corporation Procter & Gamble said on Thursday that it would wind down its manufacturing and commercial activities in Pakistan and rely on third-party distributors to continue to serve customers as part of a restructuring programme. The news comes as various multinational corporations (MNCs) have pulled their operations from Pakistan over the past three years, including El

Targeted mechanisms urged to boost Raast adoption

State Bank of Pakistan Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah emphasised the need to address real market demands through targeted mechanisms that support merchants. He was speaking at the launch of the report Merchant Payments on Raast: Responsibly Pricing for Impact and Inclusion. The report, released under the United Nations-backed Better Than Cash Alliance, focuses on building an ecosystem that encour

SBP reserves inch up to $14.4bn

The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign exchange reserves rose by $21 million to $14.4bn during the week ended Sept 26, continuing a gradual upward trend. However, the total remains below the level recorded at the close of FY25. Despite the slow buildup, the steady rise in reserves has helped support the exchange rate, with the rupee appreciating by a few paise daily against the US dollar

Cement sales rise 16pc

The cement sector posted a 16.25 per cent increase in total despatches during the first quarter of FY26, reaching 12.161 million tonnes, up from 10.461m tonnes in the same period last year. All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Associa­tion (APCMA) reported domestic sales rose by 15pc to 9.573m tonnes, compared to 8.319m tonnes last year. Export volumes grew by 21pc to 2.589m tonnes. Total cemen

Exports fall in July-Sept as trade gap widens

Pakistan’s merchandise exports fell by 3.83 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, raising concerns among policymakers about weakening international demand and the potential slowdown in external orders. The decline in exports has continued for the second consecutive month of FY26, with September marking the fifth month of contraction in the last six. While July saw a brief re