Wednesday , July 22 2026

Business

CPI inflation rises 7.3% in March

–Inflation accelerates slightly as food and wholesale prices push monthly gains higher across urban and rural regions BeNewz Report ISLAMABAD: Country’s Consumer Price Index inflation rose 7.3% year-on-year in March 2026, according to data released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, reflecting a modest uptick from 7.0% recorded in February and …

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Global chip risk threatens US economy

–A potential supply shock tied to Taiwan chips and Gulf energy flows could trigger a major economic disruption for the United States BeNewz Report ISLAMABAD: A growing risk scenario linked to global semiconductor supply chains is raising concerns among analysts about a potential economic shock to the United States, driven …

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FBR shortfall widens to Rs610bn

–Country’s tax authority missed its nine-month target by Rs610 billion as import slowdown and geopolitical tensions hit revenue growth Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue has reported a widening revenue shortfall of Rs 610 billion during the first nine months of FY2026, reflecting mounting fiscal pressures amid slowing …

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Finance plans IMF-backed budget reforms

–Govt moves to tighten spending, improve transparency Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: The Finance Ministry has decided to introduce major budgetary reforms under conditions set by the International Monetary Fund, aiming to strengthen fiscal discipline and improve transparency in public finances. Officials at the Ministry of Finance said work is underway on …

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Pakistan hosts Quad talks on regional cooperation

–Foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt met in Islamabad to boost regional coordination on security, trade, and diplomacy Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: Foreign ministers of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Egypt on Sunday opened Quadrilateral Consultations in Islamabad, signalling renewed efforts to deepen coordination on regional security, economic …

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IMF sets tax recovery condition for Pakistan

Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: Pakistan must collect Rs322 billion from court rulings before IMF board review, as authorities scramble to offset a major tax shortfall and unlock $1.2 billion in fresh financing. Pakistan’s International Monetary Fund has imposed a key prior action requiring the Federal Board of Revenue to recover Rs322 …

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Pakistan hosts quadrilateral talks on Middle East crisis

–Foreign ministers meet in Islamabad to push coordinated de-escalation efforts amid rising US-Iran-Israel tensions —Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with Irani FM, Abbas Araghchi Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday hosted high-level quadrilateral talks in Islamabad as it stepped up diplomatic efforts to ease escalating tensions in the Middle …

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IMF clears Pakistan review, unlocks $1.2bn

–Pakistan secures staff-level IMF deal, paving way for $1.2bn disbursement under EFF and RSF programs, reinforcing economic stabilization efforts BeNewz Report ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund on key program reviews, unlocking about $1.2 billion in fresh financing, the lender said on Friday. The agreement …

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FM reviews fuel prices, subsidy reforms

–Govt weighs targeted relief as fiscal space remains constrained amid stable fuel supplies BeNewz Report ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired a high-level meeting on petroleum prices and subsidy reforms on March 27, 2026, as the government evaluates targeted relief measures while maintaining fiscal discipline, the Finance Division said. The …

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Weekly SPI rises 0.97% on food, energy surge

–Weekly inflation accelerates as vegetable, fuel, and protein prices climb sharply across key urban markets Aftab Maken ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) rose 0.97% for the week ended March 26, 2026, driven by sharp increases in food and energy costs, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of …

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