Author: S.M. Inam

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: 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 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,…

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…