[ KARACHI: Pakistan’s digital payments ecosystem is moving beyond the early adoption phase, with instant payment infrastructure increasingly being integrated into everyday financial transactions, according to banking and payment industry officials. According to the State Bank of Pakistan’s Payment Systems Quarterly Review, 3.7 billion retail transactions were recorded during January-March 2026. Digital channels accounted for … Read more

[ KARACHI: The year-on-year inflation measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) surged back into double digits, reaching 10.64% in the week ended September 17, as the fallout from the Middle East situation pushed up fuel prices and added to pressure on household budgets. The latest increase marked a sharp acceleration from the 8.62% year-on-year … Read more

[ ISLAMABAD: Oil marketing companies (OMCs) have played a significant role in keeping the country’s fuel supply chain intact, particularly during periods of heightened supply risks, but mounting financial pressures are now putting a strain on the industry’s ability to continue financing uninterrupted supplies. The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), which represents major OMCs, has … Read more

[ KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its recovery on Friday, with the benchmark KSE-100 index gaining around 1,850 points, as easing crude oil prices and hopes of renewed US-Iran diplomatic engagement improved investor sentiment. At the close of trading, the KSE-100 index posted a gain of 1,841.39 points, or 1.09%, and settled at 170,884.59. … Read more

[ KARACHI: Experts, civil society representatives, policymakers and energy-sector stakeholders have called for a community-centred and inclusive transition towards clean and renewable energy in Sindh, stressing that livelihoods, land rights and well-being of local communities must not be compromised by new energy projects. The call was made at a strategic stakeholder dialogue titled “Just Energy … Read more