For the most part, Pakistan’s financial services industry is quite boring, at least when it comes to designing products that customers need. But for anyone who cares to look, their books are a treasure trove. The recent episode of taxes is a great reminder, showing how banks engaged in window dressing at a scale that was unimaginable not long ago. While that story became mainstream, thanks to t
India’s commerce ministry announced restrictions on some imports from Bangladesh via its land borders, prompting fears for the South Asian country’s export-reliant economy. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated after former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina — a long-term New Delhi ally — was ousted last year, and fled to India where she is currently living in self-imposed
Pakistan, China and Afghanistan are set to hold tripartite talks in Beijing on Tuesday (tomorrow) to discuss regional peace and security in the wake of a military standoff between Pakistan and India. According to media reports, the foreign ministers of the three nations will meet to discuss issues of mutual interest, including regional stability and cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister and
The Planning Commission has raised concerns over the procurement of 179 vehicles, including 15 fully bulletproof units, under the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) Rs41 billion Revenue Raises Project, urging a review of the Rs2.237bn expenditure in light of the Finance Division’s austerity measures. Funded by a $150 million World Bank loan at an annual interest rate of 2.5 per cent over 30 years
In the wake of the country’s recent military success against Indian aggression, the federal government has claimed to have turned its focus to economic recovery and public relief, with high-level consultations underway ahead of the national budget. On Sunday, key federal ministers met separately with the Sindh governor and chief minister in Karachi, aiming to build consensus among major coaliti