News

Stocks fall below 80,000 on IMF’s new condition

The stock market snapped its record-setting streak on Wedne­sday due to emerging economic concerns as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) attached a new condition for reaching a Staff-Level Agreement for a new loan. Consequently, the benc­h­mark index fell below 80,000 due to aggressive profit-taking despite massive foreign buying. Ahsan Mehanti of Arif Habib Corporation said stocks closed

IMF proposes 45% tax on agriculture income

As Pakistan seeks a multibillion-dollar bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stabilise its chronically ailing economy, the global lender has suggested imposition of a standard individual income tax rate of up to 45% on agriculture income – something that may end the disparity in income tax regime without the need to amend the Constitution. The condition is part of the structura

Reforms underway in energy sector, SOEs

Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday highlighted the reforms undertaken in Pakistan’s energy sector and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) including the privatisation of state companies. At a meeting with a delegation of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings at the Finance Division, the minister underscored the confidence shown by multilateral institutions through the p

Hidden costs drive power prices up 70%

A study of Pakistan’s power tariff for end-consumers reveals that domestic households and businesses are being unexpectedly charged hidden costs, including US inflation and interest on circular debt. These factors significantly raise the power price for end-users to unaffordable levels, necessitating the government to renegotiate power purchase agreements (PPA) with the power plant operators soon.

Car sales reach 18-month high, surge 120% YoY

According to a report released by Topline Research on Wednesday, Pakistan car sales, as reported by the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), hit an 18-month high in June 2024, recording sales of 13,300 units. This marks a 21% increase month-on-month (MoM) and a 120% increase year-on-year (YoY). The MoM increase in car sales is driven primarily by Indus Motors Company Limited (I