Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Thursday said that a total of Rs 124.2 billion from the Universal Service Fund (USF) has been utilised across the provinces to strengthen telecommunication infrastructure and expand digital access in underserved and remote areas. In written reply to a questions asked by MPs in National Assembly, she said t
Pakistan’s business community is facing a serious competitiveness crisis as the cost of doing business in Pakistan is 34 percent higher compared to regional countries, which has severely undermined the ability of local industries to compete in international markets, stated Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) Chief Organiser Ahmad Jawad. He said that due to irrational taxation, excessive energy costs,
Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves posted a slight increase of USD 10 million during the last week. According to official data release by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), foreign exchange reserves held by the SBP rose to USD 16.088billion during the week ended on Jan 16, 2026, compared to USD 16.072billion recorded a week earlier on Jan 9, 2026. The increase of nearly USD 16
UK-based Global Commodities Holdings Ltd (GCH) launched trading in premiums for physical nickel on Thursday after an initial nickel product last year failed to gain traction, the company said. Last year, GCH started trading in fixed-price nickel products, providing an additional venue to the Shanghai Futures Exchange and London Metal Exchange. The LME lost the confidence of many users after
Gold notched another record high on Friday, while silver and platinum also extended gains to hit all-time peaks, powered by diminishing confidence in US assets on account of geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. Spot gold was up 0.3% at $4,951.91 per ounce, as of 0358 GMT, after scaling a record $4,966.59 earlier in the day. US gold futures for February delivery added 0.8% to $4,95