News

Banks fail to increase lending as ADR remains at 39.3pc

The banks’ advance-to-dep­osit ratio (ADR) remained at 39.3 per cent last month — much below the red line of 50pc, which attracts a 15pc incremental tax. The latest data shows that the ADR increased by 90 basis points month-on-month, but fell by 579bps year-on-year to 39.3pc. The government imposed a 15pc tax in the budget for the current fiscal year on all banks whose ADR was below 50pc.

Stocks surge following constitutional changes

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday staged a remarkable recovery, fueled by encouraging economic indicators and some degree of political stability. The KSE-100 index surged past 86,000 with gains of over 800 points, reflecting investor optimism and confidence. The surge was driven by across-the-board buying following approval of constitutional amendments by the National Assembly (NA). Earli

Export competitiveness increases as REER falls

Pakistan's real effective exchange rate (REER) – the value of local currency compared to a basket of currencies of trading partners – depreciated 1.48 percentage points to 98.65 points in September, reflecting an improvement in the country's export competitiveness. According to the State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP) data, the REER index had been at 100.13 points in August 2024. The latest readin

Steel makers demand 18% tax on local scrap

The inexplicable delay in implementation of budgetary measures to modify tax regime for the steel producers procuring local scrap from unregistered suppliers to stop tax evasion as well as to prevent its harmful impact on organised steel makers has caused a loss of over Rs30 billion to the national exchequer since July, say industry players. The tax-compliant, organised steel makers claim that

Meat exports to China reach $3.37m in Jan-Sept

Pakistan's meat exports to China reached an impressive $3.37 million from January to September 2024, according to the General Administration of Customs of China. Pakistan Embassy Trade and Investment Counsellor in Beijing Ghulam Qadir told China Economic Net that Chinese consumers were becoming more adventurous in their culinary choices and were increasingly interested in trying high-quality me