Author: S.M. Inam

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: A ship carrying a large quantity of diesel from Kuwait has arrived at Karachi Port. According to sources, a vessel of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, named ‘Khairpur’, transported around 80 million litres of diesel and had passed through the Strait of Hormuz three days earlier. During the journey, the ship crossed Hengam Island and moved towards Larak Island before its captain steered it towards Karachi Port.Sources said the vessel was provided a safe passage despite ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States. #Karachi #Pakistan #FuelSupply #Diesel #Kuwait #Shipping #StraitOfHormuz

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: The federal government has announced a reduction of 25 to 50 per cent in storage charges at Karachi port terminals, in a move aimed at easing pressure on exporters and improving the flow of goods, particularly shipments bound for Gulf countries. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the relief package is designed to support exporters facing delays at ports, with special concessions for cargo destined for Gulf markets. He said the measure would help reduce financial strain on businesses while addressing long-standing logistical bottlenecks. According to the announcement, the relief also applies to…

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: Elon Musk reportedly placed a valuation of $60bn on an artificial intelligence startup co-founded by a young entrepreneur from Karachi, according to British media reports, in a move that underscored rising global interest in emerging AI ventures. The company, Cursor, was founded by Saleh Asif along with three partners, all under the age of 30. The startup has attracted attention for its work in artificial intelligence and developer-focused tools, gaining traction in a highly competitive global market. Reports said a company linked to Musk had secured an option to acquire the firm at the $60bn valuation,…

By S.M. Inam KARACHI: Shares fell steeply on the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Friday, as regional uncertainty in the Middle East weighed heavily on investor sentiment, wiping out billions in market value. The benchmark KSE-100 Index opened in negative territory at the start of the fourth trading day of the week, dropping by more than 1,000 points in early trade. Selling pressure persisted throughout the session, with the index closing down 2,405 points at 169,173. Trading volumes remained substantial despite the downturn, with more than 310 million shares exchanged, amounting to a total value of over Rs20bn. The latest losses…

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,…