Category: Featured

Pakistani auto parts gain interest in Dubai

capital

KARACHI: With Pakistani manufacturers actively engaging at Automechanika Dubai 2025, experts stressed that the nation stands at a crucial crossroads: opportunity is expanding, but real progress will require structural reforms, improved export readiness and a coordinated, sector-wide strategy. Automechanika Dubai 2025, underway from December 9-11 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, is witnessing one of its most dynamic editions to date, drawing more than 2,300 exhibitors from over 60 countries. Global manufacturers, technology developers, EV innovators and after-market suppliers have converged to showcase next-generation automotive solutions, with Pakistan marking a…

Read More

10m women get BISP bank accounts

capital

ISLAMABAD: After 16 years of neglect and remaining at the mercy of agents, over 10 million of Pakistan’s poorest women have for the first time become account holders and will soon start receiving monthly cash stipends under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) without standing in queues. The BISP beneficiaries, who were captured clients of commercial banks, did not have bank accounts till recently and used to receive stipends through a limited liability account. The banks were not willing to treat the poorest women at par with other clients despite…

Read More

PM Shehbaz departs for two-day official visit to Turkmenistan

capital

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed on Thursday for Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, on a two-day official visit, at the invitation of Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedow. During the visit, PM Shehbaz will take part in a forum commemorating the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with President Berdimuhamedov, as well as with other global leaders attending the event. The prime minister is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and…

Read More

ATC issues contempt notice, bailable arrest warrant for Aleema in D-Chowk case

capital

Judge Amjad Ali Shah of the Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court has issued a contempt notice for failing to pay Rs80,000 in fines. The court also issued bailable arrest warrants for Aleema Khan due to her late appearance in court on Thursday. The court approved the prosecution’s request to seize Rs2 million from the defendant’s bail bond and served notices to her guarantors for the recovery of the amount. The case being heard in the ATC is registered at Sadiqabad Police Station regarding the November 26 D-Chowk protest, which includes charges of…

Read More

Ex-ISI chief Faiz Hameed sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by military court

capital

Field General Court Martial has sentenced former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Faiz Hameed to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment after finding him guilty on multiple charges, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported on Thursday. According to the Inter‑Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release, the Court Martial proceedings were initiated on August 12, 2024, under the Pakistan Army Act and continued for 15 months. ISPR said the accused was tried on four charges, including engaging in political activities, violating the Official Secrets Act in a manner “detrimental to the safety…

Read More

Sustaining economic growth hinges on civil liberties, dialogue stresses

capital

ABBOTTABAD: Speakers at a consultative dialogue held at the District Bar Association Abbottabad on Wednesday emphasized that strengthening the national economy through the uninterrupted access of Pakistani products to European markets is the urgent need of the hour. They stressed that compliance with the conditions of the already obtained trade concessions is a national responsibility, requiring the government to adhere to its international agreements concerning civil liberties and human rights. The dialogue titled “civic freedoms and national economy” was jointly organized by the Human Development Organization (HDO-Pakistan) and Integrated Human…

Read More

Inflation, job woes hit consumer trust

capital

KARACHI: Dun & Bradstreet Pakistan and Gallup Pakistan have released the 19th edition of the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for the first quarter of FY2025-26, revealing a notable dip in sentiment. The index fell to 86.4, down from 96.2 in the previous quarter, a 10.2% decline. Despite this drop, confidence remains 18.5% higher year-on-year, signalling improvement compared to the same period last year. The CCI tracks consumer perceptions of the economy and personal finances across four parameters: household financial situation, national economic conditions, unemployment, and savings. Both current sentiment and…

Read More

IMF loan approval propels PSX to new high

capital

KARACHI: Bulls took the driving seat at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday as the market surged to new highs following approval of $1.3 billion in loan tranches under two different programmes by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The benchmark KSE-100 index rose 1,153 points, or 0.69%, to reach an all-time high at 169,456. Support came from consistent stock buying by local mutual funds and investor interest in market heavyweights. Other factors propelling the index higher included a 9% year-on-year (YoY) increase in remittances for November 2025 and an…

Read More

Inflows hit $16b despite worker abuse

capital

KARACHI: Despite what many overseas Pakistanis describe as humiliating behaviour and bureaucratic hurdles at home and abroad, at the hands of fellow countrymen in positions of authority, migrant workers have continued to support the struggling economy with unwavering commitment, sending $16.14 billion in 5MFY26, up 9% year-on-year and nearly $3.3 billion higher than Pakistan’s dwindling exports of $12.8 billion recorded during the same five-month period of FY2026. Workers’ remittances, Pakistan’s most vital foreign exchange lifeline, continued to show yearly growth during the first five months of FY26. According to central…

Read More