March 19, 2026Karachi (News Desk)Concerns are rising over the future of Dubai following reported Iranian attacks, which have significantly shaken the perception of safety in the Gulf’s leading financial hub.According to a report by The New York Times, more than 1,500 drones and over 260 ballistic missiles have been observed over the city since February 28. While most of these were intercepted, the sound of explosions has become a regular occurrence, raising alarm among residents and investors alike.The situation has prompted banks to instruct employees to work remotely, while many…
Read MoreCategory: Latest News
Pakistani Markets Under Pressure from Oil Prices and Afghan Tensions: Bloomberg
March 19, 2026Karachi (News Desk)Pakistan’s financial markets are facing mounting pressure due to rising global oil prices and ongoing tensions with Afghanistan, according to a report by Bloomberg.The report states that Pakistan’s dollar-denominated bonds are heading toward their largest monthly decline in three years. This downturn is largely attributed to escalating oil prices driven by regional conflict involving Iran, as well as heightened geopolitical tensions with Afghanistan.Eurobonds have also taken a hit, causing investors to incur losses of around 5%. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)…
Read MoreStrong Surge in Economic Activity During First Seven Months of Current Fiscal Year
March 19, 2026Islamabad (Rana Ghulam Qadir)Economic activity witnessed a significant surge during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, reflecting a notable improvement in key industrial indicators.According to the latest report released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics, large-scale manufacturing (LSM) recorded a growth of 5.75% during the period from July 2025 to January 2026. The data also showed strong momentum in January alone, with LSM output increasing by 12% on a month-on-month basis and 10.54% on a year-on-year basis.The report further highlighted that automobile production saw the…
Read MoreSalaried Class Paid Rs. 365 Billion in Taxes in First 8 Months
March 19, 2026Islamabad (Mehtab Haider)Pakistan’s voiceless salaried class has paid Rs. 365 billion in income tax during the first eight months (July to February) of the current fiscal year, which is even higher than the combined contributions of all wealthy segments—including retailers, wholesalers, exporters, and property tycoons.According to official data from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the salaried class paid Rs. 365 billion in taxes during the first eight months of fiscal year 2026, compared to Rs. 332 billion during the same period in fiscal year 2025. Although the…
Read MorePower firms seek to extract Rs12.2bn more for Feb usage
ISLAMABAD: After charging a positive fuel cost adjustment (FCA) of Rs1.63 per unit in the current month, the power companies have sought to extract another Rs1.64 per unit from consumers across the country in April bills, as demand rose.The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) demanded payment of higher fuel costs on account of power consumed in February, even though more than 75 per cent of power generation came from domestic, cheaper sources. Electricity consumption was reported to be around 11.42pc higher than in the same month last year but about…
Read More