Author: S.M. Inam

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: Foreign investor participation in company registrations in Pakistan increased, reflecting sustained momentum in the corporate sector.The latest data pointed to growing confidence among overseas investors across multiple industries. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, foreign investment remained stable while overall corporate growth accelerated. Between January and March, 220 companies included foreign shareholders, while firms with foreign directors reported paid-up capital of Rs657 million. The commission said foreign investors showed interest in sectors including trading, services, IT, construction and mining. A total of 10,318 new companies were registered during the period, marking a 12.5%…

State Bank of Pakistan spokesperson says funds were held with the central bank as a secure safe deposit arrangement, assuring financial stability By S.M. Inam KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) confirmed on Saturday that the government had repaid $2 billion in debt to the United Arab Emirates, marking another significant movement in the country’s shifting external financing position at a time of heightened fiscal pressure. According to an SBP spokesperson, the funds had previously been held with the central bank as a safe deposit arrangement before their repayment. The clarification came as officials continued to navigate a complex…

By S.M Inam KARACHI: Pakistan has received $2 billion in financial support from Saudi Arabia, according to the central bank. The inflow is expected to strengthen the country’s foreign reserves and support economic stability. The State Bank of Pakistan confirmed that the funds were received on April 15 from the Saudi Ministry of Finance. Officials said the deposit forms part of broader financial assistance pledged by Saudi Arabia, which has committed a total of $3 billion in support to Pakistan. Earlier, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had stated that the expected inflow would be received within the week. He also noted…

By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Wednesday that Islamabad would host delegations from the United States and Iran later this week, following the announcement of their two-week ceasefire. “I extend my deepest gratitude to the leadership of both countries and invite their delegations to Islamabad on Friday, 10th April 2026, to further negotiate a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes,” he wrote on X. Pakistan, which has developed close ties with US President Donald Trump and remains highly attuned to developments in neighboring Iran, has recently acted as a key channel for communication between Tehran and…

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: The government has made arrangements to repay $4.8 billion in external obligations by June, including $3.5 billion payable to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through three different facilities, official sources told Metro Morning on Monday. The development comes after the federal government decided to return $2 billion to Abu Dhabi by the end of the current month. The amount had been placed with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) as a deposit, on which the country has been paying around 6 percent interest. According to the sources, Islamabad also received assurances of more than $5 billion…

By S.M. Inam GWADAR: Trade activity at Gwadar Port has continued its steady ascent, marked most recently by the arrival of the cargo vessel MV Riva Glory, which docked carrying 14,629 metric tons of goods. The development underscores the port’s growing importance as a regional trade hub, reflecting both the restoration of commercial operations and increasing confidence from international traders. According to Gwadar Port Chairman Noor-ul-Haq Baloch, the continuous arrival of vessels such as the MV Riva Glory highlights Gwadar’s transformation into a central node for trade across South and Central Asia. The chairman emphasized that the port’s strategic location,…

By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s external financing gap is expected to widen after the government decided to repay $2 billion in deposits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this month, along with a 6 percent interest payment. As a result, Islamabad will either need to manage the increased financing gap independently or persuade the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to adjust the foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) at the end of June 2026, Metro Morning reported. On the eve of striking a staff-level agreement with the IMF under a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility program,…

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: LPG is being sold at 450 to 500 rupees per kilo, far above the official government price of 310 rupees per kilo, causing hardship for citizens relying on cylinders amid a shortage of gas. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has warned that operations against dealers and shopkeepers selling LPG at inflated rates will begin today. Meanwhile, Abdul Hadi Khan, Chairman of LPG Distributors, stated that supply is limited and distributors are purchasing stock at higher costs. He added that OGRA and importers have so far failed to prevent the sale of LPG at excessive…

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: The government of Pakistan has announced a major increase in petrol and diesel prices, with petrol rising by Rs 137.24 per litre to Rs 458.41 and diesel by Rs 184.49 per litre to Rs 520.35. The new rates will come into effect from midnight following the official notification. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said that global conflicts have caused a surge in energy prices, forcing the government to take difficult but responsible decisions. He noted that record increases in crude oil prices have impacted the global economy and stressed that Pakistan had no role in creating…

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan has introduced a new framework to expand financial access for young people, allowing teenagers to open and manage their own bank accounts and digital wallets, Metro Morning reported. Under the initiative, individuals aged 13 to 18 will be able to independently access regulated financial services, marking a significant step toward integrating younger segments of the population into the formal banking system. According to the SBP, the framework is designed to promote financial literacy and encourage responsible money management among youth. Teenagers will be allowed not only to open accounts but also…