News

Addressing inequality

Two recognised main areas of macroeconomics are long-term economic growth and short-term business cycles. Macroeconomics helps evaluate the resources and capabilities of an economy, churn out ways to increase the national income, boost productivity, and create job opportunities. In recent decades, inequality has emerged as a core issue in economic development and growth. Human capital is seen a

Govt prescribes new fix for drug price headaches

The government has decided in principle to limit the powers of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) and form a new, independent body specifically tasked with overseeing the pricing of life-saving drugs. The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manu­facturers’ Association (PPMA) has expressed optimism that the proposed regulatory body will expedite the resolution of pending drug pricing cases and

White elephant’ PIA has cost national kitty Rs830bn, says Aleem Khan

Privatisation Min­ister Abdul Aleem Khan on Sunday termed the national flag carrier “a white elephant”, claiming it had caused a loss of Rs830 billion to the national exchequer, so far. Speaking at a footwear exhibition in Lahore, he said that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was a burden on the government, but was quick to point out that the process of its privatisation was progressing sm

Govt mulls imposing price equalisation levy to sustain gas sector

The government is considering a mechanism to impose a price equalisation levy, or surcharge, on wellhead gas to cross-subsidise protected residential consumers and industrial sectors, with an aim to relieve a Rs10-15 billion burden from the federal budget on account of annual subsidies enjoyed by the sector. The initiative is part of petroleum sector reforms under the Integrated Energy Plan, dr

Stocks slide amid economic worries

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) slightly dipped by nearly 80 points in a range-bound session on Wednesday in the backdrop of economic and political uncertainty in the country, which made investors jittery. Taking cue from Tuesday's gains, the KSE-100 index began the day on a robust note and climbed to the intra-day high of 77,800.04 points in early hours. However, the optimism proved short-lived