Pakistan has been listed among the top 10 countries facing severe food insecurity, according to a UN-backed Global Report on Food Crises 2026. The report highlights that nearly two-thirds of the world’s hungry population is concentrated in just ten countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sudan, Nigeria, and Yemen. The findings reveal that conflict remains the primary…
Hundreds of government employees under the banner of the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA) staged a protest outside the Civil Secretariat in Lahore, demanding the restoration of key financial benefits and a significant increase in salaries. The protesters called for the reinstatement of pension, gratuity and leave encashment, which they said had been withdrawn…
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has adjusted treasury bill (T-bill) yields in its latest auction, cutting rates for short-term maturities while increasing the yield on 12-month papers. According to official data, the central bank reduced yields across one-, three-, and six-month tenors, reflecting a shift in short-term monetary expectations. However, the 12-month rate moved…
Pakistan’s corporate sector continues to show steady growth as the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registered 2,993 new companies in March, reflecting an 11% increase compared to the same month last year. According to official data, nearly 99.9% of company registrations were completed online through the SECP’s eZfile system, highlighting the country’s rapid…
Pakistan’s workers’ remittances recorded a 5% year-on-year decline in March 2026, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan, highlighting emerging external risks despite overall resilience. Remittances stood at $3.83 billion in March, compared to $4.05 billion in the same month last year. However, inflows increased by 17% on a month-on-month basis, largely…
The Government of Pakistan is considering implementing a smart lockdown strategy as part of its efforts to address the ongoing fuel and energy crisis. The proposed approach aims to reduce fuel consumption through targeted measures while avoiding a complete shutdown of daily activities. Unlike strict nationwide lockdowns, a smart lockdown focuses on limited and strategic…
Pakistan is set to receive approximately $1.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the country continues to show progress in implementing key economic reforms. The disbursement includes $1 billion under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and an additional $210 million through the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), pending final approval from the IMF…
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court of Pakistan challenging a recent order issued by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) regarding the de-sealing of two tobacco companies. According to reports, the PHC had earlier directed the FBR to unseal the premises of the two tobacco firms. However, the…
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted a final one-month extension for the $360 million CAREC Tranche-III project, urging Pakistan’s National Highway Authority (NHA) to complete the contract award process within the new deadline. The CAREC project is part of a major regional development initiative aimed at improving transport infrastructure, regional connectivity, and economic cooperation…
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) experienced a significant decline during the latest trading week as the benchmark KSE-100 index dropped by 3,629 points, reflecting strong selling pressure in the market. By the end of the week, the KSE-100 index closed at 153,866 points, showing a sharp fall compared to the previous week. Market activity remained…
