RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Friday said that complete independence was not possible without first achieving economic stability. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army chief made the remarks while addressing the Green Pakistan Initiative Conference. The remarks were also carried by state-run APP and Radio Pakistan. The federal government’s Green Pakistan Initiative is aimed at introducing the …

WASHINGTON: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will meet on April 29 to finalise its last review of Pakistan’s $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). “According to the IMF’s event calendar, the review meeting is set for 10:00am on April 29,” a diplomatic source informed Dawn. Earlier this week, the Fund published a schedule of the Executive Board’s meetings …

ISLAMABAD: Three months after the two countries were on the verge of a major conflict, Pakistan and Iran on Monday decided to strengthen economic and security cooperation by setting a $10 billion bilateral trade target and jointly fighting the menace of terrorism. The understanding between the two neighbours was reached after formal talks between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Prime …

WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurang­zeb has stated that the process of privatising PIA will be finalised by the end of June or early July, with Islamabad airport potentially following suit shortly after. “The government has no business being in business,” the minister declared at a Saturday afternoon news briefing, explaining the government’s plan to divest from state-owned enterprises (SOEs). “We …

Following the success of AMAYA Residences which sold out in record-breaking time, One Homes is expected to launch another serviced apartment concept in Cedar Hills, Islamabad. The $35 million state-of-the-art development, positioned just 15 minutes from the capital’s centre, aims to merge the tranquillity of nature with urban dynamism. Tailored for the overseas Pakistani market, the project offers dollar-linked rental …

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Friday that the matter of an Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be discussed in Washington next month as the country looks to alleviate a full-scale economic crisis. The standby $3 billion arrangement with the global lender expires on April 11, and the two sides reached a staff-level agreement regarding …

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the restructuring of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) but directed its specialised panel to sort out differences between the ministries of finance and privatisation over financial implications of the bifurcation of the airline for the budget. The cabinet gave the green light to invite interests from potential investors for selling 51% to 100% stake …

KARACHI: Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar stated on Saturday that the interim government’s “proactive measures” to encounter external and domestic challenges have stabilised the economy. She added that the process of transforming the economy is underway in the country, acknowledging that structural reforms in every sector takes time. While addressing members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce …

Inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), surged by 28.3 per cent year-on-year in January, according to data released from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Thursday. This is the last monthly CPI data before the general elections due on Feb 8 and comes as the country undertakes reforms linked to a $3 Billion Standby Agreement with the International …

ISLAMABAD: The caretaker government on Wednesday increased the per-litre price of petrol by Rs13.55 and that of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs2.75 for the next fortnight ending Feb 15, citing higher international market and import premiums. The government has also raised the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by Rs1.16 per kilogram for February. In a late-night an­­nouncement, the Ministry …