News

Gwadar Port operations face hurdles

The government is facing a host of challenges in the way of operationalising Gwadar Port despite offering a lucrative deal to the Chinese port operator. In a report submitted to the prime minister, several challenges have been identified like the reluctance of international insurance companies due to security challenges, higher port costs and the lack of road and rail infrastructure. Despite

Stocks extend overnight losses for want of triggers

Amid a de­­a­rth of positive trigg­e­­rs, the stock market repeated overnight performance, pulling the benchmark KSE 100 index further down on Thursday. Topline Securities Ltd said the local bourse saw a range-bound session, with the benchmark index swinging between an intraday high of 553 points and a low of 385 points. It eventually closed at 112,564 points, marking a decline of 361 points or

Bureaucrats will also have to declare their assets

In line with a demand by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the federal cabinet has given its nod to a proposed amendment in the Civil Serv­ants Act 1973 that will bind government officials (BPS 17 to 22) to share details of their assets along with those owned by their family members. The cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday approved all decisions of its leg

PSO profit surges to Rs11.2 billion

Pakistan State Oil (PSO) delivered a stable performance in 1HFY25, posting 44 per cent increase in its unconsolidated net profit to Rs11.2 billion, translating into earnings per share (EPS) of Rs23.81 compared to 1HFY24 profit of Rs7.8bn and EPS of Rs16.51. The petroleum giant earned an unconsolidated profit of Rs7.2bn (EPS: Rs15.35) during 2QFY25. In a meeting held on Thursday, the company’

Two companies bid for 75pc of Lotte Chemical

AsiaPak In­­vestments, a private inv­estment firm with operational assets in Pakistan and Hong Kong, and Mid­dle Eastern oil and gas company Montage Oil have bid for a 75.01 per cent stake in Lotte Chemical Pakistan, according to a notice filed by the manager to the offer with the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Thursday. “The due diligence and price discovery for a share price agreement is yet to h