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PBF advises cut in interest, exchange rates

The Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) on Monday claimed that both interest and exchange rates were being kept artificially high without economic justification, and appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure a correction to support growth and stability. In a statement, PBF Chief Organiser Ahmad Jawad asserted that the fair value of the US dollar was around Rs260, while prevailing inflation

Sugar stock monitoring to curb price hike

Amid a persistent surge in sugar prices, the government on Monday decided to enforce strict monitoring of sugar stocks and deploy officials at each sugar mill to oversee inventory levels and ensure uninterrupted supply in line with commitments made by the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA). The move comes as part of broader efforts to curb hoarding and restore market stability. A grievance

Banks raise concerns as govt seeks to strengthen rupee

Banks and exchange companies are facing mounting pressure to lower the dollar rate below prevailing market levels, according to sources in the financial sector. An important meeting in Islamabad on Monday, involving senior officials from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Ministry of Finance, and bankers, discussed measures to stabilise the exchange rate and reduce the dollar’s price. How

Transparency in gold trade sought

Senior security officials on Monday held a meeting with bullion traders to address concerns over gold price speculation, rising rates, and suspected smuggling — days after a crackdown on black market currency dealers and a separate meeting with exchange companies. According to All Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association President Qasim Shikarpuri, the meeting was held in Islamabad, where security

Finance minister heads to US for final trade negotiations

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has departed for the United States to engage in high-level negotiations aimed at concluding the Pakistan–US trade dialogue, the finance ministry announced in a press release on Monday. Auran­gzeb and US Trade Representative Jami­eson Greer launched the negotiations through a telephonic conference call on reciprocal tariffs in May, agreeing to get into technic