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Pakistan, Iran pledge to remove trade barriers

Pakis­tan and Iran have pledged to continue discussions and develop action plans to overcome the existing trade barriers and streamline regulations to realise the full potential of bilateral trade. The understanding was reached between Comm­erce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Iran’s Minister for Industry, Mining and Trade Mohammad Atabak on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (S

Gold hits record high, crosses Rs277,000 per tola

Domestic gold rates for 10 grams and one tola reached an all-time high of Rs237,654 and Rs277,200, respectively, on Wednesday, increasing by Rs1,886 and Rs2,200, compared to Tuesday’s rates. According to the All Sindh Saraf and Jewellers Association, the local rates surged due to a $22 per ounce rise in world gold prices to $2,675. The previous all-time high was recorded on Sept 26, when the

Banks told to begin sugar export process for 0.5m tonnes

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has asked banks to process the export of half a million tonnes of sugar, which may destabilise domestic prices. The sugar industry has been seeking export permission for another 850,000 tonnes of sugar worth about $485 million. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet had on Sept 21 allowed the export of 140,000 tonnes of the commodity. Market

Pakistan, China vow to speed up ML-1 project

Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the upgrade of the Main Line-1 (ML-1) railway project, agreeing to prioritise the construction of the Karachi-Hyderabad section as part of phase one, in line with the phased approach for the project’s implementation. In a joint statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both nations pledged to refine and optimise the con

Wealthiest 5pc not paying taxes: FBR chief

Declaring amnesty schemes hinder the entire taxation system, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial has revealed that not even the wealthiest top five per cent of the country are paying their taxes. Addressing the members of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Mr Langrial expressed optimism that the interest rate may be further reduced b