Goods transport operators in Pakistan have announced a 7 per cent increase in freight charges following a sharp rise in diesel and petrol prices. The decision was announced in Islamabad as transport operators cited the higher cost of fuel as a major factor behind the increase. All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan…
The federal government is considering a monthly financial relief package of around Rs2,000 for motorcycle owners as rising petrol prices continue to put pressure on household budgets. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given the go-ahead for the proposed relief scheme, which is expected to initially run for three months. Officials said the programme could be…
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has ended its sit-in in Rawalpindi against the petroleum levy and rising inflation, while protests by the party in Karachi and Lahore continue. A JI delegation is scheduled to meet the government’s negotiating team to discuss the party’s demands, with a reduction in petrol prices and relief from rising living costs among the…
QUETTA: Onion prices have surged in Quetta, with the vegetable becoming Rs40 per kilogram more expensive in the city’s markets amid pressure on available supplies. Market sources said onions that were previously selling for around Rs160 per kilogram are now being sold for as much as Rs200 per kilogram in several parts of Quetta. In…
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has decided to maintain its benchmark policy interest rate at 11.50% following the latest meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), signaling a cautious approach as the central bank balances inflation risks with improving economic indicators. The decision reflects the SBP’s strategy of closely monitoring domestic inflation, global commodity…
The Sindh government has announced the recovery of 150,000 tonnes of hoarded wheat during a province-wide crackdown, claiming the operation has helped reduce wheat prices by 13% after the recovered grain was released into the market. Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon said both…
The federal government has announced a substantial reduction in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel, offering significant relief to consumers, transporters, and businesses across Pakistan. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the price of petrol has been reduced by Rs74.28 per litre, bringing the new price to Rs299.50 per litre. Meanwhile,…
Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas strongly criticised the government’s economic policies during a Senate session, questioning official poverty benchmarks and the broader direction of the federal budget. Referring to commonly cited poverty estimates, Raja Nasir Abbas remarked that it remained unclear “which Aristotle” had determined that a person earning Rs280 per day could not…
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has officially finalized the designs for new currency notes and submitted them to the federal cabinet for approval. According to SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad, this initiative aims to modernize Pakistan’s currency system while introducing advanced security features to prevent counterfeit activities. The announcement was made during a meeting with…
Punjab’s wheat procurement policy is facing serious challenges as delays in implementing a new private-sector-led system have exposed farmers to financial risks during the peak harvest season. At the same time, rising wheat prices have made it increasingly difficult for the government to achieve its procurement target. The provincial government had earlier decided to move…
