ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to welcome expanded investment from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) across key sectors including renewable energy, artificial intelligence, fintech, agriculture, and minerals. Speaking at a ceremony marking the UAE’s 54th National Day in Islamabad, the Prime Minister highlighted the UAE’s crucial support for Pakistan’s economic stabilisation efforts. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with senior government officials, attended the event. “The economic partnership between Pakistan and the UAE is a shining example. The UAE continues to extend critical…
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Pakistan, Indonesia to Review $4bn Trade Pact to Fix Imbalance, Expand Market Access
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Indonesia have agreed to review their $4 billion Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement (IP-PTA) in an effort to boost bilateral trade and address the persistent trade imbalance that currently favours Indonesia. The decision was formalised during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday, where both leaders underscored the importance of strengthening economic engagement. IP-PTA Review Aimed at Broadening Scope Signed in 2012, the IP-PTA provides preferential tariff concessions on a variety of goods—mainly textiles, agriculture products,…
Read MoreChinese Firm Plans Major Solar Panel Manufacturing Plant in Pakistan, Eyes Multi-Billion-Dollar Investment
ISLAMABAD: China’s Hebei Juhang Energy Technology Group has expressed strong interest in setting up a large-scale solar panel manufacturing plant in Pakistan, targeting both domestic needs and international export markets. A delegation led by Chairman Wang Jianbin, joined by representatives of the China-Pakistan Business Forum, met with Minister for the Board of Investment (BoI) Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh on Tuesday to outline plans for potential multi-billion-dollar investments in Pakistan’s solar and high-tech sectors. ‘A Golden Opportunity for Investment in Pakistan’ Welcoming the proposal, Minister Sheikh said this was “a great time…
Read MoreNepra Approves 33-Paisa Tariff Hike as Regulator Flags Deepening Power-Sector Inefficiencies
ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has approved a 33-paisa per unit increase in the national uniform electricity tariff for three months (December–February), while simultaneously allowing discounted incremental rates for industrial and agricultural consumers. The regulator’s decision comes with a sharply worded additional note highlighting pervasive inefficiencies, theft, mismanagement, and the underutilisation of cheaper power plants—costs that Nepra warned should not be passed on to consumers. 33-Paisa Quarterly Tariff Adjustment Nepra approved a positive Quarterly Tariff Adjustment (QTA) of Rs6.067 billion for the first quarter of FY26.The increase…
Read MoreECC Approves Higher Petrol & Diesel Margins for OMCs, Dealers
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved an increase of Rs2.56 per litre in combined profit margins for oil marketing companies (OMCs) and petroleum dealers to improve sector profitability, while also introducing stricter rules for used vehicle imports and limiting chloroform imports to certified pharmaceutical companies. Chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the ECC approved a Rs1.22 per litre rise in OMC margins and a Rs1.34 per litre increase for petrol and diesel dealers. The adjustments will be rolled out in two phases. Immediate Increase from Next Price Revision…
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