ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has set an ambitious goal to boost Pakistan’s annual exports to $60 billion within three years, directing the Ministry of Commerce and relevant agencies to implement practical measures to achieve this target. Chairing the National Export Development Board meeting in Islamabad, the premier stated, “Alhamdulillah, our exports exceeded $30 billion last fiscal year, and IT …
ISLAMABAD: The coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is exploring a multi-billion dollar agreement with Russia for the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline, according to media reports. This strategic move follows a recent offer by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his meeting with PM Shehbaz on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. …
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday stated that the military’s pension structure is unique, requiring a complete overhaul of its service structure, and announced one year for implementing new pension regulations. He stated that their unique structure necessitates a comprehensive change in their service system, with a one-year timeframe to adopt new pension laws. He said this at the …
ISLAMABAD: Local and international firms have announced an investment of $5 billion during the next three years in Pakistan’s oil & gas exploration and production (E&P) sector. The announcement was made in a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at PM House on Saturday. A delegation of companies from the oil and gas exploration and production sector informed …
LAHORE: A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court challenging the exemption from income tax on property sales granted to retired and serving army personnel and bureaucrats in the budget for fiscal year 2024-25. The petition filed by citizen Mashkoor Hussain through Advocate Nadeem Sarwar pleaded that the tax exemption given to the bureaucrats and military personnel was in violation …
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has reiterated his commitment to strengthen the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and its supporting initiatives to enhance revenue collection, digitisation and economic development. The minister expressed these views while chairing a meeting at the FBR headquarters on Monday to review the performance of the tax machinery. Chairman Zubair Tiwana and members of the board …
ISLAMABAD: The PML-N-led coalition government began the new fiscal year (2024-25) with an increase in petrol and high-speed diesel prices by Rs7.45 and Rs9.56 per litre, respectively, for the next fortnight. In a late-night announcement, the Ministry of Finance said prices of petroleum products have seen an increasing trend in the international market during the last fortnight. The Oil and Gas Regulatory …
ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday expressed confidence that Pakistan would secure an extended loan programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), adding that agreements with the Fund can contribute to macroeconomic stability. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad at the end of the fiscal year 2023-24, the finance minister stressed his and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s hopes that …
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday gave assent to the government’s tax-heavy Finance Bill 2024 for the new fiscal year. The government had presented the budget two weeks ago, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties, especially the PTI, as well as coalition ally PPP. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had moved the finance bill in parliament, which had been opened to seek …
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Friday passed the government’s tax-heavy finance bill for the coming fiscal year ahead of more talks on a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout as it seeks to avert a debt default for an economy growing at the slowest pace in South Asia. The government presented the tax-loaded budget two weeks ago, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties, especially the PTI, as well as coalition …