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Business leaders demand urgent action on crumbling roads

Karachi’s business leaders have urgently called for the formulation of a comprehensive master plan to address the city’s deteriorating road infrastructure. Recognising the pivotal role of smooth roads in fostering economic growth, these leaders stress the need for a strategic approach to improve transportation efficiency and accessibility. Well-maintained roads, they argue, are crucial for faci

PBC against finance ministry\'s tax policy role

Although the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) has openly welcomed the government’s plans to split the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) into two entities, it raises concerns over the proposal of keeping the policy-making department in the Ministry of Finance. In a letter to Caretaker Minister for Finance and Revenue Dr Shamshad Akhtar, PBC Chief Executive Ehsan Malik wrote “the plans you shared pro

IMF tepid to interim govt proposals

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday did not immediately endorse the interim government’s proposals to reduce industrial electricity prices, settle over one-fifth of the circular debt and make the Rs268 billion debt of the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) part of the public debt. The IMF also asked as to why the interim government is showing haste when the Election Commission of

Estimating the election economy

How much political parties spend on campaigning during elections cannot be estimated with a fair degree of certainty, but it is possible to triangulate approximately how much spending is generated in the run-up to general elections. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has mandated a spending ceiling of Rs10 million for candidates campaigning for the National Assembly seats, and Rs4m for c

Similarities dominate election manifestos

This week, 128.5 million Pakistanis, representing over half the country’s population, will get a chance to cast their ballot to choose their government for the fourth time since 2008. This marks a significant milestone in the nation’s democratic journey, having emerged from a decade of General Musharaf’s Martial rule. The actual turnout will only be evident after the election day. Several obser