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Sri Lanka name squad for Women’s Asia Cup

Seasoned batter Chamari Athapaththu will continue to lead the side. Photo: ICC Sri Lanka have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai, with Chamari Athapaththu set to lead the defending champions. Harshitha Samarawickrama has been named her deputy. The squad includes a blend of experienced players and emerging talent. The … Read more

Sindh CM backs $100b export target

[ Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday threw his weight behind the business community’s ambitious vision of taking Pakistan’s exports from around $30 billion to $100 billion, declaring that the target was “absolutely achievable” provided the country harnessed Sindh’s enormous indigenous energy potential and … Read more

Loans rise bypasses small farmers

[ Concerns persist as 21.4% credit rise tilts to production but development lending lags KARACHI: Agricultural credit disbursement rose 21.4% year-on-year to Rs2.79 trillion during July-May FY2025-26, indicating stronger formal-sector financing of agriculture, but the composition and distribution of lending continue to raise questions about its impact on long-term farm productivity and financial inclusion. While … Read more

Hormuz shipping traffic capped amid competing claims from US and Iran

Commodity vessel transits remain lower than month’s daily average as shipping risk persists Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 3, 2026—REUTERS Shipping traffic at the Strait of Hormuz fell below the month average towards the end of the week due to volatile sentiment between the United States and Iran, with both countries making competing claims … Read more

FX reserves edge up to $22.5b

[ KARACHI: Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves increased by $23.7 million during the week ended August 7, 2026, reaching $22,498.3 million, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan. Foreign reserves held by the central bank rose by $14 million to $17,057 million. Net foreign reserves held by commercial banks increased by … Read more

Exporters urge govt to address cost pressures

[ Apparel sector becomes uncompetitive due to fuel price uncertainty, costly power and gas LAHORE: The Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PRGMEA) has urged the government to take immediate measures to address the growing cost pressures and logistics disruptions affecting Pakistan’s export-oriented apparel sector. In a statement, PRGMEA North Zone Chairman Imran Salahuddin … Read more

Govt mulls tokenisation of real estate, other assets

[ Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. Photo: Reuters/ File ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb met Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) Chairperson Dr Sohail Munir to discuss digital transformation, digital finance and measures to improve access to finance through technology, a statement from the Ministry of Finance said on Thursday. Aurangzeb emphasised … Read more