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SC urged to declare govt is bound to ensure cheap power supply

The constitutional bench on Monday admitted for hearing a set of petitions seeking Supreme Court’s declaration that power supply on a least-cost basis to citizens was the federal government’s responsibility under Article 9. The six-member bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, ordered the removal of objections raised by the registrar’s office to the petitions and issued notices to the attorne

Khunjerab Pass to remain open round the year

The Pakistan-China border post on Khun­jerab Pass opened for year-round trade and travel for the first time on Monday, with 40 Chinese containers loaded with goods and a bus carrying four passengers arriving at Sost (Pakistan) from Xinjiang on Monday. A bus carrying five passengers left Sost for the Chinese region on the same day. The locals welcomed the arrival of a bus and goods from China

Govt to sue consultants over NJHP tunnel fault

Pakistan is considering suing consultants of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP) for repeated faults in the Rs500 billion worth of the project, depriving the nation of a cheaper and environment-friendly power supply. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would take a final decision to this effect in consultation with key stakeholders as a special committee on the subject also looks into expandi

Exports jump 13pc in first five months

Pakis­tan’s merchandise exports slowed in November and fell into the single digit due to a reduction in international demand, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Monday. The growth momentum picked pace in July owing to improved orders from the international community and stability in the exchange rate. The exports grew 11.83 per cent in July, followed by 16pc in A

Expectations rise for big policy rate cut

The unexpected fall in inflation pushed the real interest rate to 10.1 per cent, creating ample room for the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to introduce a significant cut in its policy rate, which would be the fifth consecutive decline since June. The real interest rate is the difference between the nominal policy rate and inflation. It’s the actual return on a loan or bond. The central bank h