Public mistrust of the government stems from the gap between official economic claims and citizens’ real-life experiences. Few believe that inflation is actually one-third of what it was before or that the unemployment rate is low. Official data indicates a sharp decline in inflation to 9.6 per cent from 38pc in May 2023. However, people grappling with eroding real incomes and rising family nee
The recent cut in the interest rate by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is well-calculated and well-timed. The 200 basis points cut in the central bank’s key policy rate — from 19.5 per cent to 17.5pc — is neither too small to make any impact nor too large to let inflationary pressure build up again. But will it help revive industrial production? And will the recent trend of slowing the inflati
During the recently held African Summit in Beijing, some influential African leaders called for a balanced trade relationship between China and the region to narrow the trade deficit and address their trade structure. “One great goal may be narrowing the trade imbalance between China and Africa through increasing imports of agricultural goods and processed minerals,” says Zainab Usman, director
Around the world, financial services professionals — particularly some variety of bankers — are known for their haughtiness. Prestigious schools, inhumanely rigorous training as analysts, and partying at expensive clubs and yachts all help build that reputation. But the fact that they handle and allocate so much capital at least somewhat justifies it. The same arrogance found its way through the l
Shrugging off overnight gloomy conditions stemming from mounting political tensions and a delay in loan approval by the IMF board, the equities staged a recovery ahead of the announcement of an anticipated cut in the interest rate, propelling the index above 79,000 on Thursday. Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation said stocks closed bullish amid speculations over SBP key policy rate announce