Day: January 9, 2026

Visa discusses digitising govt payments

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ISLAMABAD: Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday held a meeting with a Visa delegation led by Tareq Muhmood, Regional President for Central Europe, Middle East and Africa, to discuss advancing digital payments, financial inclusion and ongoing economic reforms in Pakistan. Aurangzeb appreciated Visa’s continued engagement with Pakistan’s financial sector. The discussion focused on improving macroeconomic indicators, ongoing economic stabilisation efforts and the government’s priorities for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth, according to a news release. Aurangzeb briefed the delegation on progress under the International Monetary Fund…

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CCP to probe cooking oil industry

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ISLAMABAD: The government has directed the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) to investigate the allegations of cartelisation in the cooking oil and ghee industry on a fast track. The National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC), in a recent meeting, directed the CCP to submit its preliminary findings in the next meeting. The committee said that it had noticed that health issues were increasing due to the substandard quality of cooking oil and ghee. Furthermore, it stated that the issue may be taken up seriously by the relevant ministries and provincial departments.…

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How gene therapy could change the future of chronic pain treatment

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A new treatment might just be hope for many people living with chronic pain.   In a recent preclinical study, researchers discovered a way through gene therapy, to target pain centers in the brain without using opioids or risking addiction.   The results were published in the journal Nature and represent a major step forward in chronic pain treatment.   Chronic pain is quite a consistent feeling and nothing seems to numb it and while opioid drugs like morphine can help reduce pain, they affect many parts of the brain…

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Textile exports dip across EU, US & UK

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s textile and apparel exports suffered a broad-based decline across its three largest markets, the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom, during the first half of FY26, signalling a deepening competitiveness crisis for the country’s largest export sector. Chairman of Pakistan Textile Council (PTC) Fawad Anwar said the downturn was not confined to a single product or destination but reflected systemic weaknesses in the cost of doing business, according to a statement issued on Wednesday. Textiles and apparel, Pakistan’s biggest export-oriented industry, face immediate risks to…

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Fortune 500 Chinese firm eyes investment

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ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Haroon Akhtar Khan held a meeting with representatives of Fortune 500 Chinese company Xiamen C&D, during which the company expressed strong interest in making large-scale investments in Pakistan. The meeting was attended by Chairman Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) Freedoon Akram Sheikh, according to a statement issued on Wednesday. Xiamen C&D conveyed its interest in investing in Pakistan’s automobile, steel and iron sectors. The SAPM said Xiamen C&D is a globally renowned company with a strong presence across international supply chains, steel,…

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