March 19, 2026Islamabad (Rana Ghulam Qadir)Economic activity witnessed a significant surge during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, reflecting a notable improvement in key industrial indicators.According to the latest report released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics, large-scale manufacturing (LSM) recorded a growth of 5.75% during the period from July 2025 to January 2026. The data also showed strong momentum in January alone, with LSM output increasing by 12% on a month-on-month basis and 10.54% on a year-on-year basis.The report further highlighted that automobile production saw the…
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Salaried Class Paid Rs. 365 Billion in Taxes in First 8 Months
March 19, 2026Islamabad (Mehtab Haider)Pakistan’s voiceless salaried class has paid Rs. 365 billion in income tax during the first eight months (July to February) of the current fiscal year, which is even higher than the combined contributions of all wealthy segments—including retailers, wholesalers, exporters, and property tycoons.According to official data from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the salaried class paid Rs. 365 billion in taxes during the first eight months of fiscal year 2026, compared to Rs. 332 billion during the same period in fiscal year 2025. Although the…
Read MorePower firms seek to extract Rs12.2bn more for Feb usage
ISLAMABAD: After charging a positive fuel cost adjustment (FCA) of Rs1.63 per unit in the current month, the power companies have sought to extract another Rs1.64 per unit from consumers across the country in April bills, as demand rose.The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) demanded payment of higher fuel costs on account of power consumed in February, even though more than 75 per cent of power generation came from domestic, cheaper sources. Electricity consumption was reported to be around 11.42pc higher than in the same month last year but about…
Read MoreEnergy shockwaves from Middle East war: Pakistan must exploit Its own resources
The ongoing turmoil in the Middle East has exposed a stark reality: Pakistan’s energy security is perilously dependent on external sources. The ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States, coupled with the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, has disrupted nearly 80% of Pakistan’s energy imports. Oil prices have surged from $75–80 per barrel to $118, while LNG supply disruptions have left national reserves sufficient for only two weeks. Industries are under severe pressure, exports are threatened, and inflation is escalating. This crisis is a clarion call for Pakistan…
Read MoreUnjustified Curtailment of Pakistan’s Cheapest Wind Power at Rs. 14 Pushes Projects Toward Financial CollapseAtif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI
Karachi: A consortium of Pakistan’s leading wind energy producers today issued an urgent rebuttal to recent claims made by the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), warning that the systematic and unjustified curtailment of wind power plants— the nation’s most affordable energy source at just Rs. 14 per unit —is driving the renewable energy sector toward a catastrophic financial breaking point.The consortium explicitly rejects recent media statements from the ISMO suggesting that curtailment is not occurring or is being managed effectively. Furthermore, the consortium highlights that the current compensation mechanism…
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