Author: Asghar Ali Mubarak
Asghar Ali Mubarak
(The writer is a senior journalist covering various beats, can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
The country witnessed a notable rise in foreign exchange reserves this year, with the finance minister claiming steady progress towards long-term economic stability By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the national economic survey in Islamabad, highlighting signs of progress and stability in the country’s economy. He said Pakistan’s GDP growth for the current fiscal year stood at 2.7 percent, signaling a gradual recovery. Aurangzeb pointed out that inflation has eased to 4.6 percent, down from higher rates seen previously. The policy interest rate, which was 22 percent last year, has been halved to 11 percent.…
The economy grew at a provisional rate of 2.68 per cent in 2024-25, missing the 3.6 per cent target and raising concerns over stalled growth ambitions By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: The federal government is all set to unveil the national budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 this evening, as the National Assembly prepares to convene under the chairmanship of Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. The highly anticipated session, scheduled to begin at 5pm, comes against the backdrop of economic headwinds and modest growth figures for the outgoing financial year. After these customary openings, the floor will be handed over, with…
By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: In a move to pave the way for a smoother budget session, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has summoned a key consultative meeting of parliamentary leaders on Tuesday, ahead of the 2025–26 federal budget. The meeting is set to take place at 4pm in the National Assembly, where parties across the political aisle will sit down to chalk out a strategy for the upcoming budget proceedings. The discussion is expected to include how long the debate on the budget should run and other procedural matters. Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah will also attend the…
By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has registered a historic current account surplus of $1.9 billion, signaling a notable turnaround in the country’s external balance, according to the Economic Survey 2025 unveiled by Federal Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb. The rare surplus — a first in several years — reflects what the government has termed a cautiously optimistic outlook shaped by disciplined fiscal management, stronger remittances, and improved trade dynamics. The survey, released ahead of the federal budget, outlines a series of encouraging indicators, with particular emphasis on the current account and export performance. Pakistan’s exports rose by 6.8 percent over…
Zardari struck a cautionary yet urgent tone, urging the international community to confront the rising threat of political ideologies rooted in exclusion and division By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has voiced grave concern over the rising tide of extremist Hindutva ideology in India, warning that its implications stretch far beyond the borders of the country and pose a threat to regional stability. Speaking at the Presidency during a gathering of Pakistan People’s Party leaders and workers on Eid al-Adha, Zardari said the ideology was not only fuelling systematic discrimination against minorities in India, particularly Muslims and…
Talks during the PM’s Saudi visit struck a rare balance of warmth and purpose, blending personal rapport with political resolve By Asghar Ali Mubarak RIYADH: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership after a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking a renewed phase of diplomatic warmth and mutual trust between the two longtime allies. The talks, held during the prime minister’s recent visit to the Kingdom, were conducted in an atmosphere described by officials as both cordial and constructive. It was not just a routine bilateral meeting…
By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly rejected recent comments by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the situation in Indian-administered Kashmir, describing them as baseless, misleading, and an attempt to deflect global attention from India’s ongoing human rights violations in the region. In a sharp statement issued by the Foreign Office, the spokesperson criticized Modi’s remarks on Jammu and Kashmir as being detached from reality and politically driven. “These statements are contrary to facts on the ground,” the spokesperson said, suggesting that India was once again trying to rewrite the narrative to avoid accountability for its actions in…
By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has issued a strong condemnation of Israeli airstrikes targeting Beirut and other parts of southern Lebanon, urging the United Nations and international mediators to urgently address what it describes as blatant aggression. In an official statement from the Foreign Office, Islamabad denounced the attacks carried out on the night of Eid al-Adha, describing them as a clear violation of international law and a breach of Lebanon’s sovereignty. The statement expressed deep concern over the strikes, noting that they contravene the ceasefire agreement signed in November 2024, which was intended to bring a fragile calm…
PM Shehbaz Sharif honored nation’s profound sacrifices—over 90,000 lives lost and $15 billion in economic damage—underscoring the unparalleled role in global counter-terrorism By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has spoken optimistically about the future of Pakistan’s relationship with the United States, describing it as entering a new era marked by mutual respect and shared democratic values. Addressing a gathering at the US embassy in Islamabad to celebrate America’s 249th Independence Day, he extended warm congratulations to the US government, embassy staff, and people. Shahbaz Sharif reflected on the longstanding cooperation between Pakistan and the US, recalling numerous…
By Asghar Ali Mubarak ISLAMABAD: China has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering improved relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, expressing readiness to play an active role in supporting peace and stability in the region. This comes after Pakistan took a significant diplomatic step by upgrading its mission in Afghanistan to ambassadorial status—a move welcomed warmly by Beijing. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the elevation of diplomatic representation was a positive development that would deepen cooperation and strengthen mutual trust between the neighboring countries. The spokesperson emphasized that such gestures are vital in creating a more stable and…