Staff Report Pakistan car sales, as reported by PAMA, reached 11,098 units in March 2025, marking an 18% year-on-year increase, though down 8% compared to February. The month-on-month decline was largely attributed to the high base in February 2025, a period when sales typically spike at the start of the year. March figures were also…
Staff Report Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has asked the government to increase margins of oil marketing companies (OMCs) following losses due to sales tax exemptions. “We are writing to seek your immediate support for the long-overdue revision of OMC Margin and recovery of sales tax-related costs, which is critical for ensuring the sustainability and…
Staff Report Minister for Petroleum, Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik, held a productive meeting with Ms. Joe Moir, Development Director of the British High Commission in Islamabad, to discuss bilateral energy collaboration and cooperation opportunities in Pakistan’s petroleum sector. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Petroleum, focused on enhancing UK-Pakistan partnerships in oil, gas, and…
Staff Report Islamabad: Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guaranteed (CPPA-G) and 9 bagasse-fired IPPs have sought tariff revision in power purchase agreements. They have filed joint tariff review petitions in accordance with the revised agreements signed after tough negotiations with the Task Force on Power and subsequent approval of Federal Cabinet.Electricity Rates Cut in April 2025 NEPRA…
Staff Report Topline Banking Universe is likely to post a 12% QoQ decline in Pakistan Banks’ earnings in 1Q2025, amid a fall in Net Interest Income (NII) and Non-Interest Income. NII of the banks in the Universe is expected to decrease by 11% QoQ to Rs279bn due to (1) a decline in the average policy…
Staff Report Ambassador of Japan, Akamatsu Shuitsi, visited the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and held an important meeting with Federal Minister for IT, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja. During the meeting, both sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of information technology, digital transformation, and innovation. The Federal Minister highlighted the government’s commitment…
Staff Report Belarus — Federal Minister for Commerce of Pakistan, Jam Kamal Khan, highlighted growing bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus during his address at the Pakistan-Belarus Business Forum held in Belarus. Speaking to a foreign media journalist, the minister shed light on the strengthening relationship and the mutual interest in expanding economic and industrial…
Our Correspondent Islamabad: The national electric power regulatory authority (Nepra) has allowed the federal government to divert Rs 58 billion funds collected from the oil consumers to provide relief Rs 1.71 per unit rate to electricity consumers. The relief will be application on Discos and KE consumers as well.Iesco Recovers Rs6.3B from Electricity Defaulters …
Staff Report National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has recommended the federal government to remove Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Naeem Jan immediately over poor performance. The power regulator took serious notice of the poor performance of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Naeem Jan.Iesco…
Staff Report Islamabad: Kaspersky has uncovered a new, sophisticated version of the Triada Trojan preinstalled on counterfeit Android smartphones allegedly sold through unauthorized retailers. Embedded in the system firmware, the malware operates undetected and grants attackers’ full control over infected devices. More than 2,600 users worldwide have been affected. Unlike typical mobile malware delivered via…