News

Reko Diq potentially facing delays

The bull run in Pakistan’s capital market is encouraging, but the outlook for critical long-term investments appears less optimistic. For instance, the multi-billion-dollar copper and gold project at Reko Diq in Balochistan’s Chagi district may face delays in materialising, despite the active involvement of Canadian giant Barrick Gold, which holds commanding 50 per cent stake in the venture. Th

Interest rate down to 13pc after 200bps cut

Monetary Policy Committee notes inflation outlook susceptible to multiple risks, meeting revenue surplus targets will be uphill task Core inflation ‘sticking’ around 9.7pc-mark, despite aggressive cuts during 2024; real GDP growth in FY25 to remain in 2.5pc-3.5pc range KARACHI: The interest rate is now at 13 per cent after the central bank slashed it by 200 basis points on Monday — in line wit

Pakistan Railways transfers seven officers in Punjab

The Pakistan Railways (PR) administration on Monday transferred seven officers, including four grade-20 officers. According to notifications, Muhammad Hafeezullah (BS-20) was posted as director general (property & land) at the PR’s headquarters in Lahore after completing the 121st National Management Course. Mr Amjad Iqbal has been relieved of the look-after charge of this post. Rizwanul Haq

Big industry production shrinks in July-October

Despite a downward interest rate trajectory, the Large-Scale Manufacturing (LSM) sector contracted 0.64 per cent in the first four months of the current fiscal year, data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday. The LSM grew slightly at 0.02pc in October on a year-on-year basis. However, it dipped 2.24pc on a month-on-month basis. Since August, the LSM declined for thr

Aurangzeb praises formal sector

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said the government is taking measures to ensure the current IMF prgoramme becomes the last bailout. During a wide-ranging discussion on the economy during a visit to the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) on Monday, the finance minister appreciated the sacrifices that the formal sector had to make in the front-loaded tax measures under the IMF programme and