News

inflation going up in March

While playing down falling industrial production and revenue shortfalls in the first seven months (July-January) of 2024-25, the government on Thursday hinted at a spike in the consumer price index next month. “Inflation is anticipated to remain within the range of 2-3pc for February. However, there are prospects of a slight increase to 3-4pc by March,” said the Ministry of Finance (MoF) in its

FBR proposes stringent steps to prevent Export Finance Scheme misuse

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has proposed drastic changes to the Export Finance Scheme (EFS) to prevent misuse of the facility and tighten tax enforcement. At the outset, the FBR proposed withdrawing the facility for iron and steel scrap importers. The amendments were introduced through SRO204 of 2025 in the Customs Rules 2001. The draft amendments will be finalised within seven days a

Consumers brace for costly power in summer

The government on Thursday hinted at higher electricity prices in the coming summer owing to lower-than-usual water availability for hydropower and the resultant greater dependence on imported fuels. During a public hearing on Rs2 per unit negative fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for electricity consumed in Jan­uary, it was officially reported that a negative FCA of Rs1.23 per unit was currently (bi

Stocks lose 666 points on profit-taking

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) faced selling pressure on Wednesday due to uncertainty surrounding tax reforms ahead of the first review under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team arriving next week. Topline Securities Ltd noted that after two days of strong buying by local mutual funds, the market took a breather as investors opted for profit

Trump threatens EU with 25pc tariff

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that tariffs on EU products would be 25 percent in general, and signaled that duties on Canada and Me­­xico will take effect in ea­­r­ly April. Speaking at a cab­inet meeting, Trump des­c­r­ibed the EU — whose cr­­eation was encouraged for decades by Washington — as rooted in an attempt to counter the United States. “Look, let’s be honest, the Europea