Pakistan-IMF Talks Shift Online Amid Escalating Regional Tensions

New-IMF

ISLAMABAD: Ongoing negotiations between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) moved to a virtual format on Monday after the Fund’s staff mission relocated from Islamabad to Istanbul due to escalating regional tensions following US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The IMF mission, led by Iva Petrova, had begun in-person discussions in Karachi and Islamabad on the third review of Pakistan’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the second review of the $1.1bn Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). However, an advisory from the IMF headquarters prompted the delegation’s immediate…

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Hormuz Crisis Raises Fears of Trade Disruptions, Soaring Freight Costs for Pakistan

New-Project83

KARACHI: Escalating military tensions in the Middle East and the reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz have triggered alarm across global shipping markets, with companies adopting precautionary measures and imposing war-risk surcharges that could significantly impact Pakistan’s trade and energy supplies. The strategic waterway, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, handles nearly a quarter of the world’s oil shipments. Any prolonged disruption is expected to drive up crude oil and LNG prices, alongside sharply higher marine insurance premiums. Chairman of the Pakistan Ships’ Agents Association…

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OGRA Cuts LPG Price by 0.9% for March

OGRA

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on Monday announced a 0.9 per cent reduction in the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for March 2026, following a decline in international market rates. According to the notification, LPG has been priced at Rs225.84 per kilogram for March, down by 21 paise from Rs226.05 per kg in February. As a result, the cost of an 11.8kg domestic cylinder has been reduced by Rs2.52 to Rs2,664.88, compared to Rs2,667.40 last month. The revised prices will remain effective until March 31, 2026.…

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Pakistan forms high-level energy committee as Strait of Hormuz closure threatens oil routes

Strait of Hormuz

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday announced it had established a high-level cabinet committee to monitor petroleum markets and ensure uninterrupted domestic fuel supplies, as escalating conflict in the Middle East and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz rattle global energy markets. The Finance Division said the newly constituted ‘Committee to Monitor Petrol Prices in the Wake of the Emerging Situation in the Region’ held its first meeting under Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, undertaking a comprehensive review of fuel stocks, supply chains and pricing risks. The move comes after Iran closed…

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EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION OF PAKISTAN

LPG prices down

A CONSTITUENT OF ILO, MEMBER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF EMPLOYERS, GENEVA MEMBER SOUTH ASIAN FORUM OF EMPLOYERS / CONFEDERATION OF ASIA PACIFIC EMPLOYERS                       2nd Floor, State Life Building No. 2, Wallace Road, Off. I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi-74000 Ph: +92-21-3241-1049, +92-21-3241-1551 Fax: +92-21-3243-9347 E-mail: info@efp.org.pk; Website: www.efp.org.pk Ref:  PR/2026/FDI 02 March 2026 Chinese investor questions credibility of government policies ~~ EFP Employers Federation of Pakistan has taken strong exception to the attitude of certain government officials who are bent upon creating roadblocks for foreign direct investors. In a press statement, EFP stated that…

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