News

Govt takes flak for seeking Rs81.5b from consumers

The government has come under fire for seeking permission from the regulator for recovering Rs81.5 billion from honest consumers paying bills regularly on account of capacity charges and losses caused by theft and leakages. Interveners called on the regulator to take strict action to fix the problem. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) held a public hearing on Wednesday to

IMF loan uncertainty very high

Moody’s Investors Service has given a “credit negative” signal to Pakistan in the face of prolonged political ambiguity and social tensions over election results, which will make it tough to approach the IMF for a new programme, weaken external economy and make liquidity management more challenging. In its report titled “Political uncertainty persists in Pakistan following inconclusive election

‘50% textile firms may shut down in coming weeks’

With over 50% of firms in the textiles and apparel sector at high risk of shutting down over the coming weeks, All Pakistan Textiles Mills Association (APTMA) has called upon the federal government to review the energy rates to make textile exports competitive in the international market. The international competitiveness of Pakistan’s textiles and apparel exports is being continuously eroded b

ECC approves increase in gas prices

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet on Wednesday approved an increase in gas prices for residential and industrial consumers to recover an additional Rs242 billion but could not finalise rates due to the competing interests of cabinet members. The ECC also approved the imposition of 25% sales tax on all categories of SUVs and CUVs having value of over Rs4 million, excluding

Warning for the next PM

THE first thing that incoming prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has to realise is that no matter what happens, no matter how much pressure comes his way from his own party, including from Nawaz Sharif, he must not, under any circumstances, make Ishaq Dar finance minister again. Bringing Dar in as finance minister one more time will be the worst mistake Shehbaz Sharif can make at this point. The