Author: S.M. Inam

By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: Karachi port has long served as the fastest and cheapest route for Afghanistan’s imports and exports, with goods typically moving from Kabul to Karachi in three to four days. The average cost of transporting a single container along this route is about USD 2,000. According to Afghan media, Afghan traders are facing mounting financial and logistical problems after cross-border commercial traffic through Pakistan remained suspended for a second month, cutting off what many consider the country’s most efficient trade corridor. By contrast, Afghan broadcasters reported that shipments sent via Iran’s Chabahar port take seven to eight…

By S.M. Inam There are stories that break with a loud crash — explosions, scandals, elections, wars. And then there are those that slip quietly into the public domain, revealing themselves not with drama but with discomfort. Amnesty International’s latest “Predator Files” report belongs firmly in the second category. It does not shout. It does not accuse with sensationalism. Instead, it walks the reader through the unsettling reality of a modern world where states no longer need to cross borders to interfere with their neighbors; their machines can do it for them. At the center of this new chapter is…

By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom sought to strengthen economic cooperation and institutional reforms during a high-level meeting in Islamabad this week, underscoring shared concerns over fiscal stability and development priorities. Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met with British Minister for Development, Baroness Chapman, in a session attended by British High Commissioner Jane Marriott and senior UK officials, where both sides explored avenues to bolster economic resilience and growth. During the discussions, Pakistan expressed gratitude for Britain’s support in the successful implementation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, which officials said had played a key role…

By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce has drafted a set of proposals aimed at reforming the import of used vehicles, seeking to strike a balance between facilitating legitimate overseas Pakistanis and curbing longstanding misuse of existing schemes, sources familiar with the matter said. The proposals are expected to be presented for approval at the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting scheduled for tomorrow, marking a potential turning point for the country’s automotive trade regulations. Officials explained that the reforms are designed to harmonies the different frameworks under which used vehicles are imported, including baggage, gift, and transfer-of-residence schemes. By…

The initial $1 billion tranche under the program was released immediately at its launch, swiftly followed by a second $1 billion instalment in May 2025 By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: Pakistan was poised to receive approval for $1.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the fund’s executive board convened to review the country’s financial program. The discussions, scheduled from 8 to 14 December, focused on Pakistan’s staff-level agreement under its existing loan arrangements, with expectations that the board would release $1 billion under the current Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and an additional $20 million from the Resilience and Sustainability…

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: Pakistan has witnessed a notable increase in global investor confidence, with 14 foreign companies choosing to invest in the country over the past seven months, according to figures released by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The regulator reported that these international firms collectively injected more than Rs1.10 billion into 618 newly registered companies, reflecting a cautious but growing faith in the country’s economic prospects. Chinese investors accounted for the largest portion of this inflow, contributing approximately 67 percent of the total, while companies from Denmark, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Türkiye also joined…

By S.M. Inam Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has once again emphasized that Pakistan’s national security remains the country’s foremost priority, reaffirming the armed forces’ commitment to working hand in hand with both federal and provincial governments. His remarks came during a visit to the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where participants of the National Security Workshop were briefed on the state of Pakistan’s internal and regional security. The delegation, which included parliamentarians, civil and military officials, academics, and representatives from civil society, received a comprehensive overview of the threats confronting the country, ranging from cross-border militancy and hybrid warfare to…

By S.M Inam KARACHI: Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) convened its Corporate Briefing Session (CBS) for the financial year ending 30 June 2025 at PNSC House, Karachi. Analysts, investors, and representatives from brokerage houses attended both in person and online, while senior management presented the Corporation’s operational performance, financial results, fleet utilisation, future business plans, and key strategic developments. During the session, the CEO highlighted PNSC’s continued progress despite global market fluctuations and reaffirmed the Corporation’s focus on strengthening Pakistan’s maritime presence through capacity enhancement, operational efficiency, and policy advocacy. The briefing was followed by an interactive discussion, during which…

By S.M. Inam ISLAMABAD: The federal government has eliminated 54,000 vacant positions across various departments, a move projected to save the national exchequer around Rs56 billion annually, Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Thursday. Speaking at an event in Islamabad, the minister said the reforms aimed to strengthen economic stability, financial discipline, and competitiveness. He highlighted positive signs in the economy, noting that investor confidence had risen according to the latest OICCI survey. Aurangzeb said global firms in energy, mining, and the automotive sector were showing increased interest in Pakistan, and that the country’s tax system was rapidly…

By S.M. Inam The fragile calm descending on Gaza has, for the first time in months, inspired a tentative sense of hope. After years of conflict, siege, and repeated military escalations, even the smallest gestures toward stability are being closely watched by a world fatigued by violence. Yet hope, in this context, must be tempered by realism. History is replete with examples of agreements imposed from above—brokered by distant powers—that unravel quickly, leaving communities once again at the mercy of force. The challenge today is to ensure that optimism does not slip into complacency, and that any progress made is…