News

Seafood exports rise 13pc to $465mn

Pakistan’s seafood exports rose to $465 million in FY25, reflecting a 13.4 per cent increase in value and an 8pc growth in quantity compared to the previous year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The country exported 216,350 tonnes of fishery products during FY25, up from 199,738 tonnes worth $410m in FY24. The Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association (PFEA

Retailers’ ignorance fuels illicit cigarette trade: study

The illi­cit cigarette trade in Pak­is­tan has emerged as a ser­ious economic and public health concern, driven by weak regulatory enforcement and a significant knowledge gap among retailers, according to a new study. The report, titled ‘Tax Stamps and Illicit Cigarette Sales in Pakistan: Understanding Retailers’ Knowledge Gap’, was released by Umeed-i-Sehar, a non-profit organisation focused o

G20 evolves consensus on trade challenges

Finance chiefs of G20 countries were close to agreeing a common position on trade and other global challenges, which would be the first since US President Donald Trump’s election victory and tariff war. The G20, which emerged as a forum for cooperation to combat the 2008 global financial crisis, failed to reach a joint stance when finance ministers and central bankers met in February, to the di

Pak-China to form panels for agriculture projects

Pakistan and China have decided to form technical working groups to explore and implement projects focusing on high-yield cotton seed development, advanced water-saving irrigation technologies and modern farming techniques. The decision to form technical working groups was taken at a meeting between Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, and a Chinese delegation

Karachi’s business community partially heeds strike call against new FBR powers

The business community in Karachi observed a partial strike on Saturday against the tax measures and arrest powers of the federal tax authority under the Finance Act FY26. The call for a countrywide strike was issued last week by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), backed by trade bodies, industrial area associations, petroleum dealers, transporters, and chain store operators.