February 25, 2026 - Daily Capital Mail

Govt targets 200MW market transaction by June

February 25, 2026 capital

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Tuesday said that the first 200 megawatts (MW) electricity transaction under the newly launched Competitive Market Operations Date (CMOD) regime is expected to be completed by June this year, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s transition towards a competitive power market. Addressing the CMOD declaration ceremony, the minister said the reform journey, originally envisioned decades ago and initiated in 2016-17 in its practical form, had finally entered the implementation phase after years of deliberations and institutional groundwork. Reflecting on…

Govt defends Imran’s midnight transfer to PIMS

February 25, 2026 capital

ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday informed the Senate that PTI founder Imran Khan was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a follow-up medical examination, where a four-member board of specialist doctors conducted a detailed assessment and administered the prescribed second dose for his eye condition. Responding to points raised during the Senate session, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the former prime minister was shifted to PIMS with his consent and examined by a medical board comprising both government and private specialists. He stated that the…

Qatar to deepen Pakistan economic ties to ‘higher strategic level’

February 25, 2026 capital

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday held what he described as a “warm and productive” meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha, with discussions spanning bilateral cooperation and the evolving regional situation. In a statement posted on X after the meeting, the prime minister said he had an “excellent meeting” with the Qatari leader and underscored the desire of both sides to transform their “brotherly fraternal bonds” into “mutually beneficial economic relationships”. “I was also joined by DPM/FM Senator Ishaq Dar and CDF…

SC, which is no longer supreme

February 25, 2026 capital

ISLAMABAD: Since its creation, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has consistently asserted its judicial supremacy over the Supreme Court of Pakistan. On Tuesday, FCC’s Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, while hearing a case, expressed displeasure at a lawyer for not giving priority to the FCC and choosing instead to appear before the SC. Justice Rizvi made it clear that the FCC is the apex court of the country. He also warned that if a lawyer fails to appear before the FCC, the case may be dismissed. Several lawyers confirmed that a…

IHC chief justice walks out as CM Afridi attempts to speak in open court

February 25, 2026 capital

ISLAMABAD: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday attempted to speak at the rostrum of Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar’s court, but the chief justice left for his chamber without hearing him. Speaking to the media outside the court, Afridi said that since a meeting with Dogar had not been possible through other channels, he had attempted to address him in open court. He approached the rostrum and greeted the chief justice, but his greeting was not returned. After waiting for an hour and fifteen minutes, the chief…

Stocks in free fall amid panic selling

February 25, 2026 capital

KARACHI: Heavy selling marked trading at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday as the benchmark KSE-100 index gave up early gains and plunged nearly 5,500 points in panic selling over geopolitical tensions and domestic political and economic uncertainty. In the morning, the market opened on a relatively firm note, with the index climbing to the intra-day high of 174,337 during early trading. However, the positive momentum proved short-lived and profit-taking emerged at higher levels, pushing the index on a steady downward trajectory. Market confidence got a hit as investors…

Oil near 7-month high on US-Iran tensions

February 25, 2026 capital

NEW YORK/LONDON/SINGAPORE: Oil prices were little changed near a seven-month high on Tuesday as traders waited for news from nuclear talks between the US and Iran. Brent futures fell 25 cents, or 0.4%, to $71.24 a barrel at 1541 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 25 cents, or 0.4%, to $66.06. Earlier in the session, Brent was on track for its highest close since July 31 and WTI was on track for its highest close since August 1. As part of the highest-level US visit to Caracas focused…

PTCL posts Rs9.7b consolidated loss

February 25, 2026 capital

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has announced that its consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased by 12%, driven by strong performance in fixed broadband, enterprise, wholesale and mobile services. The company’s consolidated operating profit grew by 216% year-on-year (YoY), underscoring strong operational performance. For the year, however, a net loss of Rs9.7 billion was recorded, primarily driven by accelerated expected credit loss (ECL) provisioning at Ubank following revisions to Prudential Regulations. PTCL’s revenue grew by 12% YoY, led by a 50% growth in Flash Fibre…

Gold up Rs3,400/tola despite global pullback

February 25, 2026 capital

KARACHI: Gold prices in Pakistan extended their upward trend on Tuesday, tracking volatility in the international bullion market where prices slipped from a three-week high amid profit-taking and a stronger US dollar, while investors monitored geopolitical tensions between Washington and Tehran and awaited clarity on the US tariff policy. In the local market, the price of 24-karat gold rose by Rs3,400 per tola to Rs539,962, according to rates issued by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association. Similarly, the price of 10 grams increased by Rs2,915 to Rs462,930. The latest…

Pakistan, Turkmenistan discuss regional energy links

February 25, 2026 capital

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Tuesday met Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Atadjan Movlamov, with discussions focusing on regional energy connectivity and cross-border cooperation between Pakistan and Central Asia. According to an official statement, the meeting took place at the Ministry of Energy, where the minister welcomed the ambassador and exchanged greetings on the occasion of Ramazan, conveying goodwill and best wishes for peace and prosperity for the peoples of both countries. The Turkmen envoy highlighted the historical and cultural links between Pakistan…