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PBC urges cautious monetary policy

The Pakistan Busi­ness Council (PBC) urged the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Saturday to find a balance while deciding the monetary policy amid calls for a substantial interest rate cut. The central bank should maintain a cautious and steady approach to avoid a sudden spurt in import-based demand that can impact the current account and the exchange rate. PBC Chief Executive Ehsan Malik sai

Strengthening agricultural credit

To achieve higher crop yields and boost overall productivity in Pakistan’s agriculture sector, which currently lags behind comparable countries, it is essential for farmers to apply agricultural inputs such as seed, fertiliser, and pesticide in recommended quantities, at the right times, and with assured product quality. With over 90 per cent of Pakistan’s farmers holding less than 12 acres, th

All bets on new world order

George Galloway, a British politician, has likened the Kazan summit of the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) group to the 1944 Bretton Woods conference. “The children unborn will grow up in a world shaped by Brics 2024,” he said in a video posted on social media during the bloc’s conference in the Russian city last month. “This is the future; this is a new world that is stru

Using the ADR playbook

For businesses around the world, quarter ends are usually a busy season. Sales teams are rushing to pump orders, marketing departments are trying to maximise reach their performance benchmarks and accountants are working to keep the books in order. It’s the adult version of pulling all-nighters to salvage exams after a semester of procrastination. In financial institutions, this comes with a sl

Catapulting into a cashless society

More than 15 years ago, Pakistan’s financial services landscape saw a seismic shift with the introduction of branchless banking regulations. Around that time, the country had just over 16 million personal accounts with scheduled banks, and the overwhelming majority relied on informal networks to move money around. However, with growing mobile phone penetration, the traditional brick-and-mortar bra