Author: S.M. Inam

The IMF has urged Pakistan to end sales tax exemptions on locally made electric vehicles and bikes, recommending the standard 18 percent GST from fiscal year 2026–27 By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is facing renewed pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as new conditions tied to the country’s $7 billion loan program emerged, raising concerns about the future of its nascent electric and hybrid vehicle industry. According to sources familiar with the matter, the IMF has called for the removal of sales tax exemptions on locally manufactured electric vehicles and electric bikes, proposing the imposition of the standard 18…

The initial phase witnessed a competitive bidding round, with Lucky Cement offering 101.5 billion rupees and Airblue 26.5 billion, leaving the Arif Habib consortium firmly in the lead By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: The Arif Habib consortium submitted the highest bid of Rs135 billion to acquire a 75 percent stake in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), marking a significant step in the government’s ongoing efforts to reform the national carrier. The development was confirmed by Muhammad Ali, adviser to the Privatization Commission, said the sale was part of a broader agenda aimed at reviving PIA’s operational and financial capacities. He further explained…

By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: A meeting on Pakistan’s lithium-ion battery policy was convened under the chairmanship of Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar Khan, with a focus on promoting local manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports. The session, attended by Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, brought together senior officials including Secretary of Industries Saif Anjum and CEO of the Engineering Development Board Hammad Mansoor to review the country’s prospects in domestic battery production and assembly. Participants discussed the current state of the industry, noting that while lithium-ion batteries are widely used, Pakistan largely relies on…

By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik held a meeting in Kuwait with Tariq Sulaiman Al-Roumi, Kuwait’s Minister of Oil, to discuss issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the petroleum sector. According to an official statement issued on Monday, the meeting was also attended by Sheikh Nawaf Al-Sabah, chief executive of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), the chief executive of Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC), and members of their senior management teams. The Pakistani delegation included the managing director of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Ahmed Hayat Lak, and…

The finance minister said the prime minister’s clearly articulated strategic direction signaled renewed economic confidence and a forward momentum for reform By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said Pakistan was no longer seeking aid-based support and was shifting decisively towards trade- and investment-led engagement to secure long-term economic sustainability and mutually beneficial partnerships, particularly with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. In an interview with Arab media outlet, Finance Minister said this strategic direction, clearly articulated by the prime minister, reflected renewed economic confidence and reform momentum. He noted that Pakistan had remained on…

By S.M. Inam The United States’ recent approval of a $686 million package to upgrade Pakistan’s fleet of F‑16 fighter jets represents a notable moment in the long-standing, and at times complex, military relationship between the two countries. Announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 8 December, the deal is officially framed as an effort to ensure Pakistan’s ability to respond to both current and emerging security threats. Yet the significance of this development extends beyond mere equipment transfers, touching on broader strategic, regional, and political considerations that have shaped Islamabad’s defence posture for decades. At the…

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: The President of Kadin Karachi, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s business platform, Muhammad Reihan Hanif, welcomed an Indonesian business delegation ahead of the International Consumer Product Fair 2025, officials said. The delegation introduced a range of their featured products to Kadin members, providing an opportunity for local businesses to familiarize themselves with Indonesia’s commercial offerings and explore potential avenues for collaboration. During the session, delegates highlighted key product lines, emphasizing quality, innovation, and market readiness. Business representatives from Karachi engaged with the visitors, discussing market preferences, distribution possibilities, and consumer demand, setting the stage…

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: A delegation of eleven Indonesian companies carried out a market survey at Imtiaz Supermarket Zamzama, one of Pakistan’s largest retail chains, in a bid to explore consumer demand and potential opportunities for expanding Indonesian products in the local market. The visit marked a concerted effort by Indonesian businesses to better understand shopping trends, preferences, and high-demand items among Pakistani consumers. Imtiaz Supermarket, which already stocks a range of Indonesian products, welcomed the delegation and facilitated the survey by providing detailed insights into customer behaviour and sales patterns. The store manager personally guided the visiting companies, highlighting…

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: The President of Kadin Karachi, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s business platform, Muhammad Reihan Hanif, welcomed an Indonesian business delegation ahead of the International Consumer Product Fair 2025, officials said. The delegation introduced a range of their featured products to Kadin members, providing an opportunity for local businesses to familiarize themselves with Indonesia’s commercial offerings and explore potential avenues for collaboration. During the session, delegates highlighted key product lines, emphasizing quality, innovation, and market readiness. Business representatives from Karachi engaged with the visitors, discussing market preferences, distribution possibilities, and consumer demand, setting the stage…

By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: The US Chargé d’Affaires in Pakistan, Natalie Baker, announced that the US Export-Import (EXIM) Bank would invest $1.25 billion in the Reko Diq mining project in Balochistan under a bilateral partnership. Earlier, daily Metro Morning had already published a report regarding US bank’s investment in Reko Diq. In a video statement shared on X by the US Embassy in Islamabad, Baker said the EXIM Bank had recently approved the financial support to bolster mining and critical minerals initiatives within the Reko Diq project. She explained that the funds aimed to strengthen collaboration between the two nations,…