News

Cabinet places sugar price cap

The cabinet has placed a price cap on sugar to regulate its export in a bid to avoid manipulation of domestic prices. Sources informed The Express Tribune that the cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, decided that if the retail price of sugar exceeds the benchmark ex-mill price or the retail price plus Rs2, further exports will be immediately stopped. In the past, there have be

Unpacking inflation and wage crisis in Pakistan

Over the last five years, food inflation, as measured by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, has accumulated to more than 114 per cent, compounding by 22pc on an annual basis and exceeding overall inflation levels. Food inflation’s impact and affordability play a critical role in determining wages, as expenditure on food makes up more than 47.1 per cent of the poorest quintile and 44.5pc of the

Ambitious $60bn three-year target set, despite exporters’ concerns on taxation structure

The government has set a new ambitious export target of $60 billion over the next three years despite changes to the tax structure in the budget that have sparked widespread discontent among the country’s exporters. Commerce ministry officials craft presentations to support the wishes of every new government without considering the practical challenges faced by the export sector and the export

IMF deal to improve funding prospects for Pakistan: Moody’s

Global rating agency Moody’s on Tuesday said that Pakistan’s staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)“ improves funding prospects, but ability to sustain reforms key to easing liquidity risks“. The Shehbaz Sharif-led government and the IMF reached a three-year, $7 billion aid package deal on Saturday, the Washing­ton-based institution said, giving much-needed respite to

IHC to look into ‘irregularities’ in coal purchase by power plants

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will look into alleged irregularities in the purchase of coal for power plants, which increased the cost of electricity generation. A group of petitioners filed an application with the court, raising questions over the bidding process for procurement of the coal. They urged the court to order the Ministry of Energy to conclude its inquiry initiated after the power