Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: For Pakistan’s aviation sector, the government has officially shelved a high-profile plan to hand over management and operations of Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following Abu Dhabi’s repeated failure to nominate a partner. The decision marks the end of months of negotiations …
Read More »CAT dismisses banks’ appeals, upholds CCP’s Rs 205Mn penalties
Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) has dismissed a set of long-pending appeals filed by several leading banks and the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA), thereby upholding penalties of approximately Rs 205 million imposed by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) in the Enhanced Savings Account (ESA) cartel case. …
Read More »After four-year absence Pakistan to re-enter global bond market
Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said it plans to return to the global bond market after a four-year gap, highlighting progress in stabilizing its economy since near-default pressures a few years ago. The government aims to attract foreign investment as part of broader fiscal and structural reforms. Pakistan will seek advisers …
Read More »Weekly inflation edges up 0.12% as wheat flour prices surge
Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported a modest weekly increase in short-term inflation, with the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) rising by 0.12% for the week ended January 8, 2026. This brings the SPI index to 334.35 points (base 2015-16=100), up from 333.96 points the previous week. …
Read More »ECC approves TSGs for defence, digital transformation, education, & cultural initiatives
BeNewz Report ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, has approved several Technical Supplementary Grants (TSGs) to bolster key sectors including defence capabilities, digital infrastructure, special education, public service delivery, revenue enforcement, and the creative industries.The meeting, …
Read More »Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu as New Chairman of SECP
Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu as the new Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). An official notification to this effect has been issued. Dr. Kabir Sidhu is currently serving as Chairman of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) …
Read More »Weekly inflation rises slightly by 0.12% as essential commodity prices fluctuate
BeNewz Report ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported a marginal increase in weekly inflation, with the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) rising by 0.12% for the week ending January 8, 2026. The SPI, which tracks price movements of 51 essential commodities collected from 50 markets across 17 cities, provides …
Read More »Trade deficit surges to $19.204 bn amid sharp export decline
Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s merchandise trade deficit widened significantly to $3.705 billion in December 2025, marking a 23.8% increase from $2.993 billion in the same month the previous year, according to provisional data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The deterioration was driven primarily by a steep 20.4% …
Read More »Weekly SPI drops 0.67%, says PBS
Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has released the latest Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) data, showing a welcome decline of 0.67% for the week ended January 01, 2026, said an official data of PBS here on Friday. The SPI, a key tool for monitoring short-term inflation, tracks …
Read More »CCP fines Mezan beverages Rs150m
Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has imposed a penalty of Rs 150 million on Mezan Beverages (Private) Limited. The company was found to have imitated the packaging and trade dress of PepsiCo’s Sting energy drink, thereby engaging in deceptive marketing practices in violation of Section 10 …
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