News

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has officially launched the SME Certification and International Accreditation Grant Programme, a major initiative designed to help Pakistani businesses achieve international standards and enter global markets. This new programme supports small and micro enterprises by covering the costs of certification, accreditation, and compliance — areas that usually…

Saudi Arabia has once again extended its $3 billion deposit placed with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), giving Pakistan another year of financial breathing space. The deposit, which was earlier due to mature on December 8, 2025, will now remain with Pakistan until December 2026. This extension comes through the Saudi Fund for Development…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially announced that the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) privatisation bidding will take place on December 23, 2025, and the entire process will be broadcast live on national media. This marks a historic moment, as Pakistan prepares for the first major privatization in almost two decades, aiming to revive the country’s…

Pakistan’s cotton sector is once again under pressure as the latest report by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) shows a flat output trend, unstable arrivals, and rising stress on the ginning, spinning, and textile value chain. Cotton, long considered the backbone of Pakistan’s textile economy, is failing to meet national demand — and experts…

Pakistan’s oil sector is once again in the spotlight as the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) and the Oil Marketing Association of Pakistan (OMAP) have rejected the government’s strict deadline for digital integration of the petroleum supply chain. The dispute arose after the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) issued instructions to digitally integrate over…

Pakistan and Turkiye have taken a major step toward strengthening their strategic partnership by signing five new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and deeds of assignment focused on oil and gas exploration, mining development, and energy-sector collaboration. The agreements were signed during the visit of a high-level Turkish delegation, marking a new chapter in long-term economic,…

Pakistan has taken a major step toward expanding its footprint in international bond markets as the Federal Cabinet approved full tax exemptions for the country’s upcoming $1 billion Panda Bond issuance. This development marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s external financing strategy and is expected to attract strong investor demand from Chinese and global institutions….

Pakistan has taken a major step toward long-term economic transformation as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved fast-tracked actions on the country’s new export-led growth strategy. This comes after the government received detailed reform proposals from private-sector experts, focusing mainly on tax reforms, investment expansion, and export competitiveness. The initiative signals a clear shift toward a…