An ongoing bailout deal between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is “outdated” given a number of global crises, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Wednesday, as the country struggles to implement targets set by the lender. He said it would be justified for Pakistan to plead this case …
Read More »FBR takes notice of seizing ‘luxury items’ from travellers | The Express Tribune
KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Wednesday took notice of the seizing of ‘luxury goods’ in small quantities from the luggage of the passengers arriving at the country’s airports, and issued fresh directives in this regard. In a statement sent to Chief Collectors of Customs Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, …
Read More »Pakistan, IMF again fail to reach staff level agreement | The Express Tribune
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund have failed to reach a staff level agreement for revival of the $6 billion programme amid huge gaps between their assessments of the economy and the required measures that are immediately needed to stop economic meltdown. In a handout, the IMF on Wednesday …
Read More »Luxury items’ import ban to save precious foreign exchange: PM | The Express Tribune
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that the decision to ban the import of luxury items will save the country’s precious foreign exchange, vowing to take similar measures to overcome the economic challenges at hand. “We will practice austerity and financially stronger people must lead in this effort so …
Read More »‘No change in trade policy with India’ | The Express Tribune
ISLAMABAD: The coalition government on Wednesday clarified that there is no change in Pakistan’s policy on trade with India after the federal cabinet approved the appointment of Trade and Investment Minister in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. The development has triggered speculations that the new government had decided …
Read More »Pakistan urges Saudi Arabia not to withdraw deposits given to SBP | The Express Tribune
Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has said that the government has requested Saudi Arabia not to withdraw its deposits given to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and extend its oil facility for Pakistan. Addressing a press conference in Karachi on Wednesday, he lamented former prime minister Imran Khan’s government for …
Read More »Russia in receipt of $63b for fossil fuels since start of war | The Express Tribune
ISTANBUL: European Union Member States, China and other countries paid Russia an estimated €63 billion for fossil fuels since the beginning of the war two months ago, new data finds. According to a detailed tracker of Russian oil, gas and coal shipments and pipeline exports by the Centre for Research …
Read More »Fuel subsidy only for motorcyclists, not for elites: Miftah | The Express Tribune
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail has said the government will devise a policy to increase petroleum prices, adding that the “elite class having big vehicles could not be given subsidy, however, those using less petrol such as motorcyclists would be given relief”. Talking to a private news channel on …
Read More »PM orders reduction in power loadshedding by next month | The Express Tribune
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday expressed his annoyance over the prolonged loadshedding duration causing public woes and directed for its conspicuous reduction by next month. He also directed for taking of steps to reduce power glitches on an emergency basis. Neither fuel was purchased by the PTI government …
Read More »Breakthrough in Pak-IMF bailout talks, loan amount to be $8bn | The Express Tribune
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have agreed, in principle, to extend the stalled bailout programme by up to one year and increase the loan size to $8 billion, giving markets the much-needed stability and a breathing space to the new government. The understanding has been reached between …
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