Pakistan’s trade deficit with the Middle East surged by 22.38 per cent in the first month of FY26, largely driven by the rising influx of petroleum products from the region. According to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan, the trade deficit with the Middle East reached $1.323 billion in July FY26, up from $1.081bn during the same month last year. In FY25, the deficit with the region
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registered 3,278 new companies in August, raising the total number of registered companies in the country to 265,587. Private limited companies dominated the new registrations, accounting for 59pc, followed by single-member companies at 39pc. The remaining 4pc comprised public unlisted companies, not-for-profit organisations, and limited
The Gender Diversity Awards were announced on Monday at a ceremony organised by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Pakistan Business Council (PBC). The awards recognise companies that are leading the charge in creating inclusive workplaces and improving economic opportunities for women in Pakistan. This year’s top winners include Engro Fertilizers, Engro Polymer & Chemicals,
A 50-day-long protest sit-in intensified on Monday as traders in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) shut down a customs and immigration office in Sost, blocking the Karakoram Highway and stranding thousands of travellers headed to China via the Khunjerab Pass. Traders have suspended all trade and travel activities, demanding the implementation of a two-point agenda related to taxation and stuck import consi
Bulls extended their run on Friday as the benchmark KSE-100 index closed at yet another all-time high, marking the sixth consecutive session of gains on the back of strong institutional interest in banking and cement stocks. The index surged 1,612 points, or 1.06pc, to settle at 154,277.19, comfortably above the 154,000 barrier. During the session, it touched an intraday peak of 154,511 points