Artificial jewellery fad fuelled by Indian dramas – World

Irrespective of their durability and quality, a number of Chinese products have not only made deeper inroads in Pakistani markets — either through legal imports, informal channels, or joint ventures for local assembly — but have also gained popularity among the masses due to their affordability. Some Chinese imports, official or illegal, have literally wiped…

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Wheat — an end to federal crutches – Business

In the wheat sector, the government has decided to take two major policy shifts: abolishing the decades-long practice of setting a support price and discontinuing direct procurement from farmers. These policy measures mark a shift towards deregulating the wheat market, a longstanding demand of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international lenders. Historically, the…

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Buckling under the tax weight – Business

Following the imposition of higher tax rates on Pakistan’s captive taxpayers (the salaried class), citizens now contribute Rs1.3 billion daily to the national exchequer. Totalling Rs41bn each month, annual tax collection is expected to exceed the Rs500bn mark by the end of FY25 against Rs368bn collected in FY24. While this boosts the Federal Board of…

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‘US interests will dictate engagement with Islamabad’ – Pakistan

WASHINGTON: As Pakistani-American groups step up attempts to engage with the new Congress, it is becoming increasingly clear that Washington’s policy towards Islamabad will be dictated by US security and foreign policy interests, rather than anything else. The Pakistani American Political Action Committee (PAKPAC) organised meetings on Capitol Hill throu­ghout the week, pressing lawmakers to…

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Top Nepra officials hike salaries without cabinet nod – Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Top officials of the National Electric and Power Regulatory Auth­ority (Nepra) have significantly increased their remunerations, without mandatory approval by the federal cabinet, sources told Dawn. The increase has come at a time when the power sector is facing massive technical, commercial and distribution losses. The chairperson and me­m­bers of all the regulatory bodies…

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Bilawal assails Imran for disillusioning youth – Pakistan

KARACHI: PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has criticised PTI founder Imran Khan and his narrative, attributing the rising disillusionment among the nation’s youth to the ex-premier’s actions, which he claims have “destroyed everything for personal gain”. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, the PPP chairman defended the role of the…

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