Govt rules out wheat imports

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring food self-sufficiency by protecting farmers and stabilising the wheat market. Chairing the 8th Wheat Board meeting, Hussain reviewed the country’s wheat demand and supply position and the availability of critical inputs for the upcoming Rabi season … Read more

GCC to get tariff concessions similar to US deal

[ ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to extend duty and tariff concessions to Gulf countries under a free trade agreement (FTA), similar to ones that the United States has offered Islamabad in a recent tariff deal. The government intends to sign an FTA with member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), keeping in view Pakistan’s … Read more

Fans disappointed with Farhan Saeed’s casting choices

farhan saeed and kinza hashmi photo file

KARACHI: Pakistani audiences have expressed strong disapproval over the casting of Farhan Saeed and Kinza Hashmi in the upcoming romantic comedy film Laddu. The pair, who recently starred together in the drama Shireen Farhad, failed to impress viewers as the project turned out to be a box-office flop. Farhan Saeed, once celebrated for his stellar … Read more

PSX falls slightly over flood, growth worries

[ KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended Thursday’s session with a slight dip as traders stayed on sidelines amid a mix of domestic and external pressures. The KSE-100 index gave up 150.52 points, or 0.10%, to close at 147,343.51, reflecting a clear lack of direction during a week dominated by contract rollovers. Investors remained … Read more

Govt approves Rs30b for USC closure

ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday approved Rs25 billion in severance package in order to sack another 6,878 employees of Utility Stores Corporation (USC), bringing down the curtain on a half-a-century-old entity that served the underprivileged with subsidised goods through its 5,600 outlets. Established in 1971, the USC had been catering to the needs of underserved … Read more

PNSC adds two Aframax tankers to fleet

[ ISLAMABAD: Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), the national flag carrier, has expanded its fleet from 10 to 12 vessels with the addition of two Aframax-class tankers, Swan Lake and P Aliki, boosting maritime and energy transport capacity. According to a statement released Thursday, PNSC Chief Executive Officer Zarar Hussain briefed Federal Minister for Maritime … Read more

SBP transfers Rs2.7tr dividend to govt

[ KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) transferred a record Rs2.7 trillion to the federal government as a dividend payout for fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25), despite recording a 27% decline in its own annual profit. According to an analysis of central bank data, the SBP’s profit for FY25 stood at Rs2.5 trillion. This decrease … Read more