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Pakistan govt slashes diesel price by Rs14 per litre, keeps petrol unchanged

December 15, 2025 6:44

The federal government on Monday slashed high speed diesel (HSD) price by Rs14 per litre to Rs265.65 for the next fortnight. As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), the price of petrol remains unchanged at Rs263.45. The federal government has revised the prices of petroleum products for the next fortnight, effective from December 16, based on the recommendation of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), read the notification. During the last fortnightly review, the government reduced the petrol price by Rs2 per litre, and high speed diesel by Rs4.79 per litre. [...]

Will SBP rate cut ‘do little to ease pressure on businesses’?

December 15, 2025 4:06

Despite a sustained moderation in inflation and clear signs of economic slack, experts say Pakistan’s monetary policy remains overly restrictive, constraining the recovery of private-sector activity. Some analysts and industrialists have raised concerns about the State Bank of Pakistan’s monetary policy decision to cut the key interest rate by 50 basis points to 10.5%. Policy Research & Advisory Council (PRAC) Head of Research Dr Usama Ehsan Khan told Business Recorder the Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) decision to cut the policy rate by 50 basis points to 10.5%, effective December 16, 2025, is a step in the right direction. However, he said it falls well short of what prevailing macroeconomic conditions warrant and what the economy urgently requires. He mentioned headline inflation has remained in single digits since August 2024, indicating sustained easing of price pressures. Despite this, the policy rate stayed in double digits through four consecutive MPC meetings, and the latest modest adjustment does little to address the imbalance. This prolonged delay in easing monetary conditions has imposed substantial costs on the real economy. A regional comparison further highlights the issue, he said, explaining that Pakistan’s real interest rate stands at around 4.4%, significantly higher than peer economies. China’s real rate is approximately 2.8%, Bangladesh’s is 1.8%, and Vietnam’s is just 1.2%. Criticising the SBP’s decision, Khan said excessively tight monetary conditions continue to suppress credit growth, discourage capital formation, and elevate financing costs for firms already grappling with low demand and thin margins. In this context, a 50bps cut offers limited relief. “A more decisive reduction—of at least 200 basis points—would have been more consistent with the current trend in inflation and better aligned with regional monetary settings, while still preserving a positive real rate to safeguard price stability,” he said. Meanwhile SITE Association of Industry (SAI) President Ahmed Azeem Alvi has expressed disappointment over the SBP’s decision to reduce the policy rate by only 50 basis points, terming the move insufficient to provide any meaningful relief to the struggling industrial sector. Alvi said that given the severity of the current economic challenges, such a marginal cut would do little to ease the pressure on businesses. He stressed that the government must adopt a clear and coherent strategy if it intends to keep domestic industries afloat. Alvi stressed that local industries were already under immense strain, while imports had come to a standstill. At the same time, he added, persistently high interest rates had trapped both businesses and the public in a cycle of inflation and unemployment. “ Business Recorder also spoke to Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Rehan Hanif, who expressed deep disappointment over the State Bank of Pakistan’s decision, stating that such a token adjustment falls far short of what is urgently required to revive Pakistan’s fragile economy and restore business confidence. Hanif remarked that the marginal cut neither reflects prevailing economic realities nor offers meaningful relief to businesses that are already struggling under an exceptionally high cost of doing business. He emphasized that despite a visible decline in inflation, borrowing costs in Pakistan remain among the highest in the region, severely undermining industrial growth, exports, and employment generation. Head of Research at JS Global Waqas Ghani said with economic activity still dull, the SBP appears to be responding to the need for incremental growth support. Importantly, the quantum of the cut is modest, suggesting a cautious approach, According to him, the SBP is signaling flexibility while remaining mindful of inflation risks and external account vulnerabilities. He also believes the move is positive for Equities and we may see optimism in the stock market on Tuesday (December 16). [...]

US stocks bounce as traders await delayed jobs, inflation data

December 15, 2025 3:42

WASHINGTON: Wall Street stocks climbed Monday as investors await delayed government figures on US employment and inflation this week – both reports that could provide hints on the path of interest rates ahead. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3 percent to 48,586.08 shortly after trading started, as did the broad-based S&P 500 Index to 6,844.50. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.2 percent to 23,249.74. “We’ve gotten some data over the course of the last couple of weeks, but this is the first time we’ll be playing catch-up,” said Art Hogan of B. Riley Wealth Management. Wall Street Week Ahead: Investors eager for delayed data to shed light on US economy He added that it would be good to have more updated data “to see if that sort of lines up with what we think the Fed might do next,” referring to the Federal Reserve. The US central bank this month made a third consecutive interest rate cut, but also gave signals that the bar ahead could be higher as it seeks to balance risks to inflation and the weakening labor market. The data will also give investors “an impression on both the strength or weakness of the labor market and the path of inflation,” Hogan said. A record-long US government shutdown between October and mid-November also paused the publication of various economic indicators, with delayed reports now trickling out. November’s consumer price index – a key gauge of inflation – is due to be published Thursday while employment numbers for the same month are expected on Tuesday. [...]

Gulf markets muted as investors brace for US data; Egypt extends gain

December 15, 2025 2:34

Most Gulf stock markets were subdued on Monday as investors turned cautious ahead of key U.S. economic data that could shape the interest rate outlook. The upcoming employment, inflation and other indicators are especially critical after a 43-day U.S. federal government shutdown delayed key reports, leaving investors and the Federal Reserve with little certainty. The Fed last week cut rates by 25 basis points for a third straight meeting but signalled further reductions are unlikely in the near term as it waits for clearer data. U.S. monetary policy shifts have a significant impact on Gulf markets, where most currencies are pegged to the dollar. The Qatari benchmark index fell 0.9%, with all constituents in negative territory. Qatar Islamic Bank slipped 2.4% and Qatar Electricity and Water Co dropped 1.8%. Dubai’s benchmark stock index edged 0.1% lower, weighed down by a 9.7% slide in Gulf Navigation and a 0.7% decline in Emirates NBD, the emirate’s largest lender. Ajman Bank gained 3.1% after the Ajman government said on Friday it had raised its stake in the bank to 33.1% from 31.1%. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark stock index ended flat, with Saudi Basic Industries Corp down 1.3% and Riyad Bank off 1.1%. Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair & Co rose 1.6% after the retailer signed a 1.58 billion riyal ($421 million) facilities agreement on Sunday. The Abu Dhabi benchmark index was little changed as gains in technology, real estate, healthcare and energy offset losses elsewhere. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank added 1.1%, while Invictus Investment jumped 10.2%, its biggest intraday gain in more than three years, after the diversified trading company said on Friday that International Holding Company had increased its stake to about 40% in a block trade valued at around 420 million dirhams ($114.36 million). Abu Dhabi Ship Building declined 1.3% after the shipbuilder’s board approved a $1.89 billion deal with EDGE Acquisitions Company to build eight vessels for the Kuwaiti government. Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s blue-chip index rose 0.6% for a second straight session, supported by a 1.4% gain in Commercial International Bank and a 2.8% rise in Palm Hills Developments which on Sunday signed an agreement with Marriott International to develop a new luxury hotel in Cairo. SAUDI ARABIA ended flat at 10,590 KUWAIT lost 0.7% to 9,649 QATAR fell 0.9% to 10,758 EGYPT gained 0.6% to 42,305 BAHRAIN up 0.1% to 2,058 OMAN rose 0.5% to 5,986 ABU DHABI ended flat at 9,988 DUBAI down 0.1% to 6,089 [...]

Sri Lanka shares snap winning streak; third-quarter GDP growth at 5.4%

December 15, 2025 1:12

Sri Lankan shares closed lower for the first session in six on Monday, ahead of the release of third-quarter GDP data that showed the country’s economy grew 5.4%. The CSE All Share index settled down 0.95% at 22,294.77. IT stocks, with a 3.5% decline, led losses among subsectors. Colombo Dockyard and SMB Finance were the top two percentage losers on the CSE All Share, falling 15.4% and 12.5%, respectively. The island nation’s economy grew 5.4% year-on-year in the three months ended September, official data showed after markets closed at 2:30 pm local time. Sri Lankan economy grew 5.4% in third quarter of 2025 Trading volume on the CSE All Share index rose to 81.3 million shares from 76.8 million in the previous session. The equity market’s turnover fell to 2.23 billion Sri Lankan rupees ($7.2 million) from 3.03 billion rupees in the previous session, according to exchange data. Foreign investors were net buyers, purchasing stocks worth 108.1 million rupees, while domestic investors were net sellers, offloading shares worth 2.21 billion rupees, the data showed. [...]

Sri Lankan economy grew 5.4% in third quarter of 2025

December 15, 2025 1:08

Sri Lanka’s economy grew 5.4% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, official data showed on Monday, signaling a sustained recovery from the decade’s worst financial crisis in 2022. The island nation’s economy had grown 4.9% in the preceding quarter. Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector grew by 3.6% in the third quarter from a year earlier, while industrial output expanded by 8.1%, and services grew by 3.5%, the census and statistics department said in a statement. The island nation, which was emerging from the worst economic crisis in decades that peaked in 2022, is reeling from a severe cyclone that hit in late November. Cyclone Ditwah left 643 people dead and at its peak affected nearly 10% of the 22 million population. Floods caused by torrential rain damaged crucial infrastructure and the island’s agriculture sector, authorities said. Growth is projected at 4.5% this year by the central bank but analysts say growth could slow to about 3% in 2026 due to Ditwah. Sri Lanka eyes 6% growth in 2026, but 2025 outlook dims amid spending delays “We are expecting a 0.5%-0.7% contraction in the economy due to the cyclone. The impact will be tempered as reconstruction spending, which could be about $2 billion, will also drive growth next year,” said Shehan Cooray, head of research at HNB Stockbrokers. Sri Lanka, which is already under a four-year, $2.9 billion program from the International Monetary Fund, has sought $200 million in emergency funds from the global lender. The IMF expects the Sri Lankan economy to grow 3.1% in 2026. An IMF team will visit in January for a fresh assessment before releasing the sixth tranche of the original program. The World Bank is making up to $120 million in emergency support available by repurposing funds from ongoing projects. “This will support recovery and help restore essential services and infrastructure—including health care, water, education, agriculture, and connectivity—in the areas hit hardest by the cyclone,” it said in a statement. [...]

India’s Nov palm oil imports rise as lower prices spur buying

December 15, 2025 1:04

MUMBAI: India’s palm oil imports edged up in November as refiners took advantage of lower prices, boosting purchases of the tropical oil while reducing imports of the costlier soyoil and sunflower oil, a leading industry body said on Monday. Higher palm oil imports by India, the world’s largest buyer of vegetable oils, could help top producers Indonesia and Malaysia cut stocks and support benchmark Malaysian palm oil futures, while putting pressure on U.S. soyoil futures. Palm oil imports in November rose about 5% from October to 632,341 metric tons, the Solvent Extractors’ Association of India (SEA) said. Imports of soyoil dropped more than 18% to 370,661 tons and sunflower oil imports fell 45% to a two-year low of 142,953 tons, the industry body said. India also imported 5,000 tons of canola oil from the United Arab Emirates in the month, it added. Lower imports of soyoil and sunflower oil cut India’s total imports of edible oils in November by 13.3% from a month earlier to a seven-month low of 1.15 million tons, the SEA said. India’s November palm oil imports rise as soyoil, sunflower oil buying drops In November, India imported a record 69,919 tonnes of soyoil from China after a supply glut prompted discounts from Chinese crushers, versus India’s traditional South American suppliers. India buys palm oil mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, and imports soyoil and sunflower oil from Argentina, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine. Palm oil is now about $100 per tonne cheaper than soyoil and nearly $200 cheaper than sunflower oil, prompting Indian buyers to step up palm oil purchases for December and January shipments, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trade house. “Some buyers have cancelled soyoil import contracts for December and January and are replacing those volumes with palm oil,” he said. [...]

RBI’s $5 billion FX swap to sail through, high hedging costs cloud corporate appetite

December 15, 2025 1:01

MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India’s three-year dollar–rupee swap is expected to be fully subscribed, though bankers say a run-up in hedging costs is likely to keep corporate participation muted. The RBI’s dollar–Indian rupee swap will absorb $5 billion from the market and inject an equivalent amount of rupees, as part of the central bank’s efforts to ensure ample banking-system liquidity to aid the transmission of rate cuts, with the transaction set to reverse after three years. Bankers expect demand to be sufficient for the auction to be fully subscribed. However, the jump in hedging costs is likely to leave corporate interest far more muted than in March’s larger, similar-tenure operation. When the RBI last conducted a three-year $10 billion swap in March, three-year forward points were around 6 rupees on the auction date. They have since climbed to just under 8 rupees, hitting a more than a two-and-a-half-year high last week. For importers, higher forward points translate into a higher cost of hedging future dollar payables. The swap auction is expected to be fully subscribed, supported by surplus dollar liquidity in the banking system, DBS Bank India Executive Director and head of trading Sameer Karyatt said. India central bank eases restrictions on cash credit accounts, eases current account norms However, considering the “prevailing market dynamics”, marked by elevated hedging costs for importers, he does not expect “significant interest” from corporates. A senior banker at a mid-sized private sector bank concurred with Karyatt, saying corporate “enthusiasm” is expected to be lower this time and that he has been advising his clients against bidding at the auction. The banker expects bidding to be “less competitive”, with the cutoff at the auction likely to be “at least” 15–25 paisa below prevailing market levels. Three-year forward premiums were quoted at 8.02/8.18 rupees on Monday. “There’s little doubt the full $5 billion will be taken up, the real focus is where the cutoff prints,” a forex swap trader at a bank said. This will be the RBI’s third three-year swap auction this year, leaving it to manage about $25 billion in 2028 maturities. The swap comes amid persistent pressure on the rupee, with the currency sliding to an all-time low of 90.7850 per dollar on Monday. Bankers said the weakness is likely to curb corporate participation further. [...]

India trade deficit narrows to 5-month low, official says close to framework deal with US

December 15, 2025 12:53

NEW DELHI: India’s merchandise trade deficit declined to a five-month low of $24.53 billion in November, driven by a fall in gold, oil and coal imports, while exports to the U.S. picked up, government trade data released on Monday showed. Economists had expected the November trade deficit to be $32 billion, according to a Reuters poll, compared to a record deficit of $41.68 billion in the previous month. Merchandise exports to the U.S. rose nearly 10% month-on-month to $6.92 billion in November. “India has held fort on the U.S. exports despite tariffs,” Rajesh Agrawal, India’s commerce secretary told reporters. Agrawal said that India and the U.S. were close to finalising a “framework” agreement but declined to specify a timeline. “There’s a fair expectation that both countries will be able to agree to a deal to lower reciprocal tariffs…We are positively engaged with the U.S. to see if we can close it sooner than later,” he said. A team led by Agrawal met U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer in Delhi last week to discuss bilateral trade including talks on a proposed trade pact. India’s current account deficit moderates in Sept quarter as trade gap narrows The talks come after exports to the U.S. fell nearly 9% year-on-year to $6.31 billion in October, though they were higher than $5.47 billion in September. EXPORTS TO US REBOUND India’s overall merchandise exports rose to $38.13 billion in November from $34.38 billion in October, while imports fell to $62.66 billion from $76.06 billion. Merchandise exports to the U.S., India’s largest export market, rose over 21% year-on-year in November, compared to $5.71 billion a year earlier. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has rolled out measures including consumer tax cuts, an export promotion package and labour reforms to cushion the economy from the impact of steep U.S. tariffs. Modi spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump last week. While New Delhi seeks relief on key export lines, Washington is pushing India to lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers on U.S. goods and open its market to American farm products, including soybean and grain sorghum. The government data showed November services exports are estimated at $35.86 billion and imports at $17.96 billion, suggesting a services trade surplus at $17.9 billion, according to Reuters calculation. India’s central bank releases detailed monthly services trade data about two weeks after the government’s initial estimates. [...]

Copper prices rise on short covering, ignoring weak China data for now

December 15, 2025 12:46

LONDON: Copper prices rose on Monday as some traders rolled forward positions ahead of a contract expiry this week, helping the market to set aside weak data and worries about the property sector in top consumer China for now. Benchmark three-month copper on the London MetalExchange rose 1.4% to $11,670 per metric ton by 1058 GMT. Copper hit a record high of $11,952 on Friday on worries about tight supply and then saw a sell-off amid renewed fears of the AI bubble bursting. “Prices are set to remain choppy and volatile intraday into year-end and as we go into the first quarter,” said Alastair Munro, senior metals strategist at Marex. Short or bearish positions on the LME were being cut or rolled over ahead of settlement on Wednesday, a trader said. About 39% of 165,875 tons of copper stored in LME-registered warehouses was marked as being prepared for delivery out. Meanwhile, daily inflows to the Comex copper stocks, already at a record high, continued due to higher prices on Comex. The U.S. excluded refined copper from the 50% import tariffs that came into force in August but kept it under review. “As long as there is a significant arbitrage between the LME and CME, I expect to see material still flow into the U.S. as traders capture those profits,” said Samuel Basi, founder of Perfectly Hedged, a risk management and trading consultancy. In top metals consumer China, data showed that the country’s factory output growth slowed to a 15-month low in November, while new home prices extended a decline. Adding to worries about China’s property sector, developer Vanke made a renewed effort to muster bondholder backing for an onshore debt repayment. Among other LME metals, aluminium rose 0.4% to $2,880.50 a ton, zinc fell 0.1% to $3,121, lead lost 0.2% to $1,964, tin slid 1.1% to $40,915, while nickel shed 0.3% to $14,540. [...]

Palm oil drops on Dalian weakness, stronger ringgit

December 15, 2025 12:43

JAKARTA: Malaysian palm oil futures closed lower on Monday, tracking weakness in Dalian edible oils and also pressured by a stronger ringgit. The benchmark palm oil contract for February delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange declined 12 ringgit, or 0.3%, to 4,006 ringgit ($979.46) a metric ton at the close. “The futures were still trading in range between 4,000 to 4,100 ringgit, tracking Dalian weakness and ringgit strengh,” a Kuala Lumpur-based trader said. Dalian’s most-active soyoil contract dropped 0.95%, while its palm oil contract was down 0.96%. Soyoil prices on the Chicago Board of Trade was up 0.12%. Palm oil tracks price movements of rival edible oils as it competes for a share of the global vegetable oils market. The Malaysian ringgit, palm’s currency of trade, slightly strengthened 0.07% against the U.S. dollar, making the commodity a bit more expensive for foreign currency holders. Exports of Malaysian palm oil products for December 1-15 fell 16.4% from a month earlier, independent inspection company AmSpec Agri Malaysia said. According to Intertek Testing Services, exports fell 15.9% for the same period. India’s palm oil imports edged up in November as refiners took advantage of lower prices, boosting purchases of the tropical oil while reducing imports of the costlier soyoil and sunflower oil, a leading industry body said on Monday. Oil prices climbed on Monday as supply disruptions linked to escalating U.S.-Venezuela tensions outweighed oversupply worries and the impact of a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal. Stronger crude oil futures make palm a more attractive option for biodiesel feedstock. [...]

Indian rupee’s losing run persists on trade stalemate, portfolio outflows

December 15, 2025 12:39

MUMBAI: The Indian rupee weakened further past the 90-per-dollar mark on Monday to a record low for the third consecutive session, driven by concerns over a prolonged deadlock in U.S.-India trade negotiations and persistent portfolio outflows. The Indian rupee fell to 90.7850, extending its year-to-date decline to about 6%, before ending the session slightly higher at 90.73, compared with 90.4150 in the previous session. The Reserve Bank of India likely intervened to cap the rupee’s fall, traders said, while also noting that gradual depreciation of the currency is likely to persist in the absence of a trade deal with the United States. “Let’s see what happens in the next few months,” India’s trade secretary said on Monday, referring to the ongoing negotiations. “There’s a fair expectation that both countries will be able to agree to a deal to lower reciprocal tariffs,” he said. India’s merchandise exports to the U.S., the country’s largest export market, rose over 21% year-on-year in November, data released on Monday showed. This helped narrow the country’s merchandise trade deficit to a five-month low of $24.53 billion last month. The improved data provided only fleeting relief to the currency in the face of persistent corporate hedging demand and likely portfolio outflows, traders said. Foreign investors have net sold over $18 billion of local stocks over the year so far, on track to be the worst yearly outflow on record. The negatively skewed dollar flows and the drag from the trade stalemate have left the rupee unable to benefit from a broadly weaker dollar, which is on track to end the year down more than 9% against a basket of major currencies. The focus now turns to the RBI’s 3-year dollar-rupee buy/sell swap auction slated for Tuesday. Bankers expect the swap to be fully subscribed but say corporate interest could be muted due to elevated hedging costs. [...]

India share benchmarks end flat on US trade deal delay, outflows

December 15, 2025 12:31

India’s equity benchmarks ended little changed on Monday, in line with the muted moves over the last two weeks, as foreign outflows and ongoing uncertainty surrounding a potential trade deal with the U.S. dampened sentiment. The Nifty 50 fell 0.08% to 26,027.30 points and the BSE Sensex lost 0.06% to 85,213.36. The rupee hit another record low at 90.785 per dollar. Foreign outflows from Indian equities have totalled $2 billion so far in December, marking the worst sell-off in three months. Nine of the 16 major sectors rose. Small-caps gained 0.2%, while mid-caps lost 0.1%. India’s blue-chip indexes have eased about 0.5% over last two weeks as investors booked profits near record-high levels amid uncertainty over the India-U.S. trade deal. “U.S. tariffs are finally starting to compound into stress across asset classes… The best way to ride this out is to stick with large caps, with private lenders, pharma, and IT,” Emkay Global Financial Services said. The U.S. imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods earlier this year, partly in response to India’s Russian oil purchases. India’s trade secretary said on Monday that the two countries were close to a “framework deal”, without giving any timeline. Last week, India’s chief economic advisor said that a trade deal is likely only by March. India’s merchandise trade deficit declined to a five-month low in November, driven by a fall in gold, oil and coal imports, while exports to the U.S. picked up, data showed on Monday. AUTOS FALL, INDIGO RISES Automobile stocks fell 0.9% and were the biggest losers among major sectors. JM Financial said auto and auto components, and aluminium goods could be among the worst affected from tariff hike by Mexico. India’s largest airline IndiGo rose 2.2%, marking the third session of gains, as its operations stabilised after poor pilot roster planning led to thousands of flight cancellations earlier this month. [...]

India bonds flat as supply pressure meets RBI’s debt-buy boost

December 15, 2025 12:21

MUMBAI: Indian government bonds ended little changed on Monday as persistent supply worries were countered by a boost from the inclusion of a former benchmark paper in this week’s central bank open-market purchase offered some support. The benchmark 10-year yield ended at 6.5931%, unchanged from its closing level on Friday. The 6.33% 2035 bond yield ended a touch higher. Bond yields move inversely to prices. “There is a lot of supply pressure building up, especially for the last quarter, so things may remain tough for the bond market,” said Kruti Chheta, fund manager and fixed income analyst at Mirae Asset Investment Managers (India). The Reserve Bank of India will buy bonds worth 500 billion rupees ($5.51 billion) on Thursday and has included liquid papers, such as the 7.18% 2033 and former benchmark 6.33% 2035 bonds. This comes after the central bank bought a similar quantum of bonds last week at higher-than-estimated prices, which sparked a brief rally. The RBI’s bond buying for this financial year has already hit a record high, with markets anticipating more purchases of about 1-2 trillion rupees in the last quarter of the fiscal year. However, any rally in bond prices lately has been running into supply headwinds. The benchmark bond yield rose 10 basis points last week, its biggest jump since the week ended August Bond yields have risen since last week as expectations of a prolonged pause by the central bank and demand-supply mismatch have dominated trading. Foreign investors also turned cautious, selling the most global index-linked bonds in over half a year in the week of December 12. RATES India’s overnight index swap rates were largely unchanged as traders took a breather after last week’s sharp moves. The one-year OIS rate ended at 5.4575%, while the two-year swap rate closed at 5.5375%. The five-year OIS rate settled at 5.9%. [...]

Gold per tola gains Rs2,600 in Pakistan

December 15, 2025 10:10

Gold prices in Pakistan increased on Monday in line with their gain in the international market, while silver rose to hit an unprecedented high. In the local market, gold price per tola reached Rs454,862 after a gain of Rs2,600 during the day. Similarly, 10-gram gold was sold at Rs389,970 after it increased by Rs2,229, according to rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA). On Saturday, gold price per tola reached Rs452,262 after a decline of Rs2,000 during the day. The international rate of gold was up by $26 to reach $4,325 per ounce (with a premium of $20). Meanwhile, the price of silver increased by Rs68 to reach Rs6,532 per tola, a new all-time high. [...]

Pakistan, Kuwait discuss cooperation in petroleum sector

December 15, 2025 4:35

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik held a meeting with Tariq Sulaiman Al-Roumi, Minister of Oil of Kuwait, on Monday to discuss matters of mutual interest and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the petroleum sector. The meeting was attended by senior officials from Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and KUFPEC, while the Pakistani delegation included OGDCL Managing Director Ahmed Hayat Lak and PSO General Manager (Supplies). Both sides reviewed longstanding cooperation between Pakistan and Kuwait in the petroleum sector and explored ways to enhance existing partnerships and identify new avenues for collaboration. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties and agreed to continue close coordination to advance shared objectives in the petroleum sector. Following the discussions, Minister Al-Roumi hosted a lunch in honour of the visiting Pakistani delegation at Waldorf Astoria. The meeting comes weeks after the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in the petroleum sector. On November 27, Malik met Kuwait’s Ambassador Nassar Abdulrahman Jasser Almutairi and discussed ongoing collaboration and new avenues of partnership. During the meeting, Malik welcomed the Kuwaiti envoy and commended his role in strengthening Pakistan-Kuwait ties, referring to him as “a true friend of Pakistan.” He highlighted that the relationship between the two countries was rooted in mutual respect, trust, and decades of cooperation, especially in energy and petroleum. [...]

Surprise move: SBP lowers policy rate to 10.5% with 50bps reduction

December 15, 2025 3:39

Contrary to market expectations, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) decided to reduce the policy rate by 50 basis points (bps) to 10.5% on Monday. The market expected the central bank to maintain the status quo. “The MPC has decided to decrease the policy rate by 50bps to 10.5% w.e.f. December 16, 2025,” the central bank said. The latest reduction takes the total easing since rates peaked at 22% to 1,150 basis points. The policy rate had remained unchanged for four consecutive meetings before Monday’s move. Last cut of 100bps was announced in the May 05, 2025, meeting. KSE-100 settles at new all-time high as SBP cuts policy rate The MPC, in its statement, noted that inflation on average remained within the target range of 5–7% during July-November FY26, though core inflation is proving to be relatively sticky. “On balance, the inflation outlook remains broadly unchanged, mainly owing to the relatively benign global commodity prices and anchored inflation expectations, amidst a prudent monetary policy stance. “The committee also assessed that economic activity continues to gain traction, based on robust improvement in key high-frequency indicators, including a higher-than-anticipated increase in large-scale manufacturing in Q1- FY26. “Nonetheless, the committee noted that the global environment remains challenging, particularly for exports, which may have some implications for the macroeconomic outlook. In this backdrop, while ensuring the ongoing price stability, the MPC noted the available space to reduce the policy rate to support sustainable economic growth,” read the statement. The MPC noted the following key developments since its last meeting. “First, the Labor Force Survey 2024-25 points to an increase in the unemployment rate from 2020-21, notwithstanding the faster growth in employment as compared to the previous survey. “Second, despite sizable ongoing debt repayments, SBP’s FX reserves continued to increase, reaching above $15.8 billion with the receipt of $1.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after the successful completion of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) reviews. “Third, as per the latest SBP-IBA surveys, consumer confidence improved, while business confidence – though remaining positive – moderated slightly. “Fourth, led by sizable SBP profit transfer, the overall and primary fiscal balances recorded surpluses during Q1-FY26. “Lastly, the global environment remains fluid, characterised by generally supportive commodity prices, but also evolving tariff-related dynamics and challenging financial conditions.” The MPC assessed that the real policy rate remains adequately positive to stabilise inflation within the target range of 5 – 7% over the medium term and contribute towards sustainable economic growth. Inflation outlook The MPC noted that headline inflation remained within its medium-term target range over the past three months. However, the MPC continues to expect that inflation may rise above its target range towards the end of FY26 due to the low base effect from last year, before reverting to the target range in FY27. At its previous meeting on October 27, 2025, the MPC had decided to keep the policy rate unchanged at 11%, saying that the impact of the recent floods on the broader economy was lower than anticipated. This had been in line with market expectations. Industrialists push SBP for rate cut ahead of final MPC meeting of 2025 Market expectations defied Market experts had widely expected the central bank to maintain the status quo. “This came as a surprise in our view as the majority of the participants were expecting rates to remain unchanged,” said Topline Securities. Arif Habib Limited (AHL), another brokerage house, had anticipated no change in the policy rate, noting that “maintaining stability while adopting a cautious stance as the base effect that had been keeping headline inflation low is now fading”. “The slight widening of the current account deficit and the early stage of domestic economic recovery further support a prudent, wait-and-see approach from the central bank,” said AHL. Similarly, a Reuters poll had found that the central bank would keep its key interest rate unchanged, as analysts push back rate-cut forecasts to late 2026 after the IMF warned inflation risks persist and policy must stay “appropriately tight”. All 12 analysts surveyed expected no cut in the policy meeting. Most respondents believed that the SBP would not begin easing until the closing months of FY26, which ends in June 2026, with some analysts pushing forecasts for the first cut into fiscal year 2027, said the report. Previous meeting In its last meeting (Oct 27) the committee had noted that headline inflation rose significantly to 5.6% in September, whereas core inflation remained unchanged at 7.3%. Since the last MPC meeting, several key economic developments have occurred. The rupee has appreciated by 0.2%, while petrol prices have remained largely unchanged. Internationally, oil prices have reduced by over 6% since the last MPC, hovering around $57 per barrel. Pakistan’s headline inflation clocked in at 6.1% on a year-on-year (YoY) basis in November 2025, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) data. In addition, Pakistan’s current account posted a deficit of $112 million in October 2025, data released by the SBP showed. SBP-held foreign exchange reserves rose to $14.58 billion as of December 5, 2025, the central bank said. Net foreign reserves held by commercial banks stood at $5.03 billion, taking the country’s total liquid foreign reserves to $19.61 billion. [...]

Rupee inches up against US dollar

December 15, 2025 3:22

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At close, the local currency settled at 280.31, a gain of Re0.01 against the greenback. During the previous week, the rupee gained further as it appreciated Re0.10 or 0.04% against the US dollar. The local unit closed at 282.32, against 282.42 it had closed the week earlier against the greenback, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Internationally, the US dollar was nursing losses on Monday while the euro and sterling held steady ahead of their respective central bank decisions this week, with focus squarely on the rate outlooks across major economies as the new year approaches. Currencies were largely rangebound in early Asia trade, as investors braced for a busy week which will also see the release of US inflation data and the closely watched nonfarm payrolls report. The yen was little changed after a key central bank survey showed on Monday that big Japanese manufacturers’ business sentiment hit a four-year high. The Japanese currency was 0.1% weaker at 155.94 per dollar. Sterling eased 0.17% to $1.3359 in early Asia trade on Monday, while the euro was down 0.09% at $1.1730. The Australian dollar eased 0.11% to $0.6647, while the New Zealand dollar was up 0.08% to $0.5807. A divided Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points last week as it sought to shore up a weakening labour market. But Chair Jerome Powell signalled borrowing costs are unlikely to drop further in the near term as it awaits more economic clarity. Against a basket of currencies, the dollar was struggling to break away from a near two-month low hit last week and stood at 98.43. Oil prices, a key indicator of currency parity, climbed on Monday as supply disruptions linked to escalating US-Venezuela tensions outweighed oversupply worries and the impact of a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal. Brent crude futures were up 33 cents, or 0.54%, at $61.45 a barrel, as of 0429 GMT, and US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $57.75 a barrel, up 31 cents, or 0.54%. Both contracts slid more than 4% in the prior week, weighed down by expectations of a surplus in 2026. Inter-bank market rates for dollar on Monday BID Rs 280.31 OFFER Rs 280.51 Open-market movement In the open market, the PKR lost 4 paise for buying and gained 1 paisa for selling against USD, closing at 280.80 and 281.35, respectively. Against Euro, the PKR lost 35 paise for buying and 40 paise for selling, closing at 328.80 and 331.69, respectively. Against UAE Dirham, the PKR lost 2 paisa for buying and 4 paise for selling, closing at 76.56 and 77.33, respectively. Against Saudi Riyal, the PKR gained 1 paisa for buying and lost 1 paisa for selling, closing at 74.78 and 75.39, respectively. Open-market rates for dollar on Monday BID Rs 280.80 OFFER Rs 281.35 [...]

Finance Minister approves key appointments in PRCL, SLIC, Ignite

December 15, 2025 3:07

The Cabinet Committee on State Owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs) met on Monday at the Finance Division under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, along with secretaries and senior officials from relevant ministries and regulatory bodies. The Committee approved agenda items from the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunications, including: Filling of one vacant Independent Director position and appointment of Chairman of the Board for Pakistan Reinsurance Company Limited (PRCL). Reconstitution of the Board of Directors of State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC). Appointment of members on the Board of Directors of Ignite Company. Nomination of the CEO of ZONG to the Board of Universal Services Fund Company (USF) as Director representing Mobile-Cellular Licensees until June 2026. Delay in reforms, law amendments and SOEs sell-off: IMF warns of serious risks ahead of next review Regarding Morafco Industries Limited (MIL), the Committee directed the Ministry of Industries & Production to submit a detailed proposal, in consultation with the Law Division, outlining the process for the body’s winding up. The Committee also asked the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination to resubmit its proposal on the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), including a detailed plan on staffing, governance, and PTDC’s role in supporting the national tourism strategy. The Committee emphasized that any reconsideration of previous decisions must be supported by a clear business case and align with the government’s broader reform and rightsizing agenda for state-owned enterprises. [...]

Oil prices stable as Venezuelan supply disruptions balance surplus concerns

December 15, 2025 2:40

LONDON: Oil prices held steady on Monday as investors balanced supply disruptions linked to escalating U.S.-Venezuelan tensions with oversupply concerns and the impact of a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal. Brent crude futures were down 20 cents, or 0.33%, to $60.92 a barrel at 1301 GMT, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $57.23 a barrel, down 21 cents, or 0.37%. Both contracts slid more than 4% last week, weighed down by expectations of a global oil surplus in 2026. “The grind lower in oil prices and the achieving of month-to-date lows across the major futures complex last week might have seen more negative pricing if it were not for the upping of the ante by the United States with regard to Venezuela,” said PVM analyst John Evans. Venezuela’s oil exports have fallen sharply since the U.S. seized a tanker last week and imposed fresh sanctions on shipping companies and vessels doing business with the Latin American oil producer, according to shipping data, documents and maritime sources. The market is closely monitoring developments and their impact on oil supply, with Reuters reporting that the U.S. plans to intercept more ships carrying Venezuelan oil following the tanker seizure, intensifying pressure on President Nicolas Maduro. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy offered to drop his country’s aspiration to join the NATO military alliance as he held five hours of talks with U.S. envoys in Berlin on Sunday. Negotiations are set to continue on Monday. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said “a lot of progress was made”, though additional details were not divulged. A possible peace deal could eventually increase Russian oil supply, which is currently sanctioned by Western countries. “Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have swung between optimism and caution, while tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. are escalating, raising concerns about potential supply disruptions,” said Tsuyoshi Ueno, a senior economist at NLI Research Institute. Rising expectations of a surplus also weighed on prices. JPMorgan Commodities Research said in a note on Saturday that oil surpluses in 2025 were expected to widen further into 2026 and 2027, as global oil supply was projected to outpace demand, expanding at three times the rate of demand growth through 2026. [...]

Gulf markets muted as investors brace for US data; Egypt extends gain

December 15, 2025 2:34

Netflix says its position on deal with Warner Bros Discovery unchanged

December 15, 2025 2:28

Netflix’s decision to acquire assets from Warner Bros Discovery has not changed, its co-CEOs Greg Peters and Ted Sarandos said in a letter to employees on Monday. The streaming giant won Warner Bros’ vote earlier this month, securing a $72 billion equity deal for its TV, film studios and streaming assets before Paramount launched a hostile $108.4 billion enterprise bid for the whole company. Netflix is committed to theatrical releases of Warner Bros’ movies, saying it is “an important part of their business and legacy”. “We haven’t prioritized theatrical in the past because that wasn’t our business at Netflix. When this deal closes, we will be in that business,” the letter said, adding that a hostile bid from Paramount Skydance was “entirely expected”. Despite growing concerns of heavy regulatory scrutiny, Netflix is confident it will get the approvals, relying on its argument that the deal is necessary to compete with the dominance of YouTube. Netflix’s $72 billion Warner Bros deal faces skepticism over YouTube rivalry claim But attorneys say the Justice Department is unlikely to see Netflix and YouTube as interchangeable rivals, given their different content, audiences and business models. “Even after combining with Warner Bros, our view share would only move from 8% to 9% in the US—still well behind YouTube (13%) and a potential Paramount/WBD combination (14%),” Netflix’s letter said. The company said the deal will not result in studio closures amid fears of job losses due to the rise of artificial intelligence. Paramount too had said it does not intend to cut content budgets and aims to run both studio units separately. [...]

Abu Dhabi Ports signs MoU to develop, operate Shuaiba container terminal in Kuwait

December 15, 2025 2:23

Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) said on Monday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi Ports Group to develop and operate the container terminal at Kuwait’s Shuaiba port under a concession agreement. Shuaiba port, established in the 1960s, is Kuwait’s oldest port. It covers a total area of 2.2 million square metres (543.63 acres) and has 20 berths, while the container terminal has a storage area of 318,000 sqare metres, according to KPA’s website. The port, located about 60 km (37.3 miles) south of the capital, handles commercial cargo, heavy equipment, raw materials and chemicals essential to various industries. Abu Dhabi’s IHC plans to exit minority investments worth up to $25 billion The MoU represents “the first preliminary step” toward concluding a concession contract, subject to the completion of required studies, KPA said in a statement without disclosing the value of the deal. Under the agreement, Abu Dhabi Ports Group will prepare the technical, environmental and financial studies needed for the project, including infrastructure requirements. [...]

PSW extends post-payment regime to SIDC following successful rollout for customs duties, taxes

December 15, 2025 2:06

KARACHI: In a significant step toward streamlining trade operations and improving the ease of doing business, the Pakistan Single Window (PSW), in collaboration with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan Customs, has extended the post-payment regime to the Sindh Infrastructure Development Cess (SIDC) within the WeBOC/PSW ecosystem. According to a press release issued by the PSW on Monday, this follows the successful transition of customs duties and taxes to a post-payment system in July, marking a key milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to modernise trade and improve efficiency in the business environment. This initiative, supported by the PSW, is part of the broader strategy of the FBR to simplify trade procedures and reduce the regulatory burden on businesses. Previously, traders were required to pay SIDC upfront before the assessment, which often discouraged early filing of Goods Declarations (GDs) and created liquidity challenges. By enabling SIDC to be paid after the customs clearance process, the new post-payment arrangement addresses these issues and supports the smooth flow of trade, reducing delays, and enhancing predictability for traders. PSW integrated with MoD The extension of the post-payment regime to the SIDC ensures that all major duties and taxes follow a unified post-assessment process, the handout read. This harmonisation streamlines customs clearance procedures and contributes to faster processing times, reducing the wait time for shipments and enhancing cargo dwell time performance. With the removal of pre-clearance payment requirements, traders can now retain liquidity and focus on growing their businesses, while the overall efficiency of the trade process is significantly improved. Talking to Business Recorder, eminent entrepreneur and industrialist Muhammad Farooque Shaikhani said, “I view this step as a positive and timely reform for Pakistan’s trade ecosystem, especially for small traders and small industries. The extension of the post-payment regime to SIDC reflects PSW’s seriousness in reducing procedural bottlenecks and aligning provincial levies with modern digital trade practices. Traders clearly appreciated such reforms that ease cash flow pressure and encourage early and transparent filing. This move strengthens confidence in digital systems and improves ease of doing business in Sindh.” He said for small traders and small industries, this system is extremely beneficial as it directly addresses liquidity constraints. Allowing SIDC payment after customs clearance enables businesses to file Goods Declarations early without blocking working capital, he said. Cross-border trade: govt hopes to empower startups, entrepreneurs with ‘Trade Lab’ “It reduces delays, minimises port dwell time, and brings predictability to trade operations. Through PSW’s integrated digital platform, traders save time, reduce compliance costs, and avoid unnecessary physical interactions. Overall, it supports smoother trade flows, faster clearances, and creates a more business-friendly environment for Small Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs),” he said. [...]

Sri Lanka shares snap winning streak; third-quarter GDP growth at 5.4%

December 15, 2025 1:12

Sri Lankan economy grew 5.4% in third quarter of 2025

December 15, 2025 1:08

India’s Nov palm oil imports rise as lower prices spur buying

December 15, 2025 1:04

RBI’s $5 billion FX swap to sail through, high hedging costs cloud corporate appetite

December 15, 2025 1:01

KSE-100 settles at new all-time high as SBP cuts policy rate

December 15, 2025 1:00

Bullish momentum was observed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), with the benchmark KSE-100 Index closing at a new all-time high amid a gain of over 800 points. Buying interest was observed throughout the trading session, pushing the benchmark index to an intra-day high of 171,001.71. At close, the KSE-100 settled at 170,741.34, an increase of 876.82 points or 0.52%. The increase reflected “sustained investor confidence and an improving market outlook,” said Topline Securities. “Key index heavyweights — PPL, SYS, MLCF, NBP, and UBL — led the rally, collectively contributing approximately 651 points to the index’s overall advance,” said the brokerage house. In a key development, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), contrary to market expectations, decided to reduce the policy rate by 50 basis points (bps) to 10.5% on Monday. During the previous week, PSX closed on a strongly bullish note, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index surging to a new all-time high of 169,864.53 points, marking a week-on-week gain of 1.7%, as improving macroeconomic indicators and renewed investor confidence fuelled broad-based buying. Globally, Asian stocks tumbled in early trading on Monday as investors reined in risk-taking at the start of a week sprinkled with key central bank decisions and data releases. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan shed 1%, led by a drop of as much as 2.7% in South Korean shares, one of the world’s best-performing markets this year. S&P 500 e-mini futures were up 0.3%, while the yield on the US 10-year Treasury bond was last down 1.2 basis points at 4.182% as investors awaited a string of economic data releases and a slew of decisions from central banks. Among the central banks making decisions this week, the Bank of Japan is expected to hike rates by 25 basis points to 0.75%, while the Bank of England may make an equal-sized cut to 3.75%. The European Central Bank is expected to keep interest rates on hold, alongside Sweden’s Riksbank and Norway’s Norges Bank. Investors will also have the chance to catch up on economic data that was delayed by the US government shutdown, including the jobs report for November and the monthly consumer price index. In Japan, stocks fell despite getting a lift after the BOJ’s closely watched “tankan” survey showed on Monday that big manufacturers’ business sentiment hit a four-year high, suggesting the economy was weathering the hit from higher US tariffs. The Nikkei 225 was last 1.4% lower. Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee recorded marginal improvement against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Monday. At close, the local currency settled at 280.31, a gain of Re0.01 against the greenback. Volume on the all-share index increased to 905.68 million from 873.03 million recorded in the previous close. The value of shares improved to Rs47.72 billion from Rs40.87 billion in the previous session. Pak Int.Bulk was the volume leader with 123.27 million shares, followed by Hum Network with 39.67 million shares, and Fast Cables Ltd with 36.33 million shares. Shares of 486 companies were traded on Monday, of which 239 registered an increase, 202 recorded a fall, and 45 remained unchanged. [...]

India trade deficit narrows to 5-month low, official says close to framework deal with US

December 15, 2025 12:53

Israeli forces kill Palestinian teen in West Bank, health ministry says

December 15, 2025 6:55

JERUSALEM: The Israeli military shot dead a 16-year-old Palestinian during a raid on the town of Tuqu’ on Monday, the Palestinian health ministry said, the latest deadly incident in a recent surge of violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The boy was shot after Israeli military forces gathered in the centre of town late on Monday and began firing “indiscriminately”, according to a report by Palestinian state news agency WAFA citing the head of the Tuqu’ town council. The military shot the teenager, Ammar Yaser Sabbah, with a live round to the chest, the report said. He was rushed to the hospital but did not survive. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Violence has surged in the West Bank this year, and since the start of the two-year war in Gaza in October 2023. Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians have risen sharply, while the military has tightened restrictions on movement and carried out sweeping raids in several cities. More than a thousand Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank between October 7, 2023, and November 14, 2025, according to the United Nations. Fifty-nine Israelis have been killed in the West Bank over the same period. Israeli forces kill two Palestinians in West Bank who appeared to be surrendering Those killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank this year include 53 Palestinian minors, according to official Palestinian statistics. The West Bank is home to 2.7 million Palestinians who have limited self-rule under Israeli military occupation. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have settled there. Most world powers deem Israel’s settlements - on land it captured in a 1967 war - illegal, and numerous U.N. Security Council resolutions have called on Israel to halt all settlement activity. Israel denies the illegality of the settlements, citing biblical and historical connections to the land. Israeli forces have cleared out refugee camps, forcing thousands of Palestinians from their homes and maintaining their longest presence in some West Bank cities for decades. Human Rights Watch accused Israel in November of war crimes and crimes against humanity over what it said were forced expulsions in the West Bank. Israel denies committing such crimes. [...]

Pakistan govt slashes diesel price by Rs14 per litre, keeps petrol unchanged

December 15, 2025 6:44

German, Ukrainian defence firms join forces to make drones

December 15, 2025 6:27

BERLIN: A German drone maker and a Ukrainian defence tech start-up announced Monday they are forming a joint venture to mass-produce unmanned aerial vehicles for the Ukrainian military. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, drones have become a crucial part of the conflict and both sides have ramped up production. Quantum Systems, based in the southern German state of Bavaria, and Ukrainian company Frontline Robotics will make the drones in Germany. The Financial Times reported the deal was worth 100 million euros ($118 million), and that the companies want to produce 10,000 drones next year at a new factory in southern Germany. The project will “establish Europe’s first fully automated, industrial-scale foreign production line for drones for the Ukrainian armed forces”, the firms said in a statement. The new venture, called Quantum Frontline Industries, will make “battlefield-proven, multi-use drones” developed by Frontline Robotics, according to the statement. Quantum Systems will provide industrial infrastructure and production operations while the Ukrainian firm will contribute designs and training. NATO to beef up defence of Europe’s eastern flank after Poland shot down drones “Together with Frontline Robotics, we will build on our proven experience and create Europe’s first foreign production capacity at this scale for Ukraine,” said Sven Kruck, co-CEO of Quantum Systems, in a statement. Yevhen Tretiak, CEO of Frontline Robotics, said the joint venture would produce “thousands of drones to drive back the Russian aggressor”. The deal was announced as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US envoys held talks in Berlin aimed at ending the war. A Ukrainian-German business forum in Berlin brought together companies from both countries. Berlin also released a 10-point plan Monday aimed at boosting cooperation between the German and Ukrainian defence sectors. Proposals included promoting joint ventures, federal investment guarantees, and stepping up efforts to integrate the Ukrainian industry into the wider European defence sector. “A strong Ukrainian defence industry… is an important element of security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression,” the plan said. “Cooperation between the German and Ukrainian defence industries is becoming increasingly important in this context.” [...]

Pakistan, Kuwait discuss cooperation in petroleum sector

December 15, 2025 4:35

Will SBP rate cut ‘do little to ease pressure on businesses’?

December 15, 2025 4:06

US stocks bounce as traders await delayed jobs, inflation data

December 15, 2025 3:42

Finance Minister approves key appointments in PRCL, SLIC, Ignite

December 15, 2025 3:07

Messi mania peaks in India’s pollution-hit capital

December 15, 2025 2:42

NEW DELHI: Football superstar Lionel Messi ended his whirlwind tour of India on Monday with a lap of honour in New Delhi, thrilling thousands of fans and thanking them for “all the love and support”. The 38-year-old Argentine great greeted chanting supporters at a nearly packed Arun Jaitley Stadium, usually home to cricket, with fans dressed in Argentina jerseys waving flags and shouting his name. “It was beautiful to receive all the love and support. I knew it was there, but to receive it first-hand was, well, amazing”, Messi told the crowd, speaking in Spanish, saying he will “definitely be back”. Clad in a pink jersey and black trousers, Messi enthralled the audience with his charm as he kicked footballs into the crowd and obliged star-struck delegates and fans with selfies. Messi and his fellow stars played football with children before being presented with a T20 World Cup ticket and an Indian jersey by the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Jay Shah. India – a nation of 1.4 billion – are a cricket powerhouse, but struggles on the football pitch and are 142nd on the FIFA rankings. ‘Golden moment’ as Messi meets Tendulkar, Chhetri on India tour Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia took the stage with Messi, who signed Argentine jerseys for the Indian star and his family. His final stop in India went smoothly after a chaotic opening day on Saturday, when fans vandalised a stadium in the city of Kolkata, where his brief presence left the crowd frustrated. Heavy security left fans struggling to catch a glimpse of him. Many had paid more than $100 for tickets, and they broke down barricades and stormed the pitch after the superstar abruptly left the arena. In New Delhi on Monday, thousands of excited fans dismissed hazardous choking air pollution to see their hero. “I’m very excited to see Messi, I have been watching him since my childhood”, said 29-year-old fan Sumesh Raina. Fans throw objects onto field after Messi visits Kolkata’s Salt Lake stadium New Delhi, and its wider sprawling metropolitan region of 30 million residents, is regularly ranked among the world’s most polluted capitals, due to a deadly mix of emissions from power plants, heavy traffic, as well as the burning of rubbish and crops. Levels of cancer-causing PM 2.5 microparticles hit more than 300 micrograms per cubic metre in parts of New Delhi on Monday, according to monitoring organisation IQAir, 20 times the World Health Organization’s recommended daily maximum. A study in The Lancet Planetary Health last year estimated that 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were linked to air pollution. Messi, who is in India as part of his so-called GOAT Tour along with his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul, seemed unperturbed by the toxic air. He looked in good spirits as he kept up his energy with fans and football enthusiasts in his 35-minute stay at the stadium. Messi had also visited the cities of Hyderabad and Mumbai, where he met cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and Indian football star Sunil Chhetri. The footballer won his second consecutive Major League Soccer Most Valuable Player award last week after propelling Inter Miami to the MLS title and leading the league in goals. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward will spearhead Argentina’s defence of the World Cup in June-July in North America. [...]

Gulf markets muted as investors brace for US data; Egypt extends gain

December 15, 2025 2:34

Netflix says its position on deal with Warner Bros Discovery unchanged

December 15, 2025 2:28

Abu Dhabi Ports signs MoU to develop, operate Shuaiba container terminal in Kuwait

December 15, 2025 2:23

Let digital literacy sink in before crypto regulation, asset tokenisation: experts

December 15, 2025 2:16

KARACHI: Crypto, stablecoin, blockchain and asset tokenisation are clearly the future of Pakistan, however, the government should let innovation and digital literacy penetrate in the ecosystem before opting to regulate technological advancement in the country, experts and stakeholders have said. “The financial landscape is reshaping in Pakistan,” they said, speaking at the two-day +92Disrupt conference, organised by Katalyst Lab from December 13 to 14 in Karachi. Crypto refers to digital currencies that operate on blockchain technology, a decentralised and secure ledger system that records transactions across a network of computers. Blockchain enables transparency, making it ideal for cryptocurrencies. The experts said stablecoins, a subset of crypto, are designed to maintain a stable value by pegging their worth to assets like the US dollar, offering a hedge against the volatility often seen in other digital currencies. Meanwhile, asset tokenisation is revolutionising the investment space by turning real-world assets — such as real estate, gold or stocks — into tradable digital tokens on the blockchain. Together, these innovations are reshaping the financial landscape, providing new ways to invest, transact, and store value in the digital age, it was learnt. OPINION: Regulating Pakistan’s crypto ‘boom’ Speaking at a panel discussion on ‘Has crypto really arrived in Pakistan?’, DAO PropTech Co-founder Owais Barlas said the consensus has developed that asset tokenisation is the future. “How soon or how late Pakistan can go depends on Pakistan as at what pace it wants to move on,” he said. If you completely rely on regulations that the work would start after the introduction of relevant regulations then this would be a “recipe for disaster. Innovation comes first. Regulations come after. Otherwise you never think out of the box,” he added. He recalled that cryptocurrencies and their trade were illegal in Pakistan in the recent past. The government is building laws to make it a legal business in the country now, he said. Citing different studies and projections, Barlas said almost 30-40% world assets can be tokenised by 2030. According to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), he said, the size of global asset tokenisation could grow to $16 trillion by 2030. Singapore and UAE among the countries are advancing rapidly in new financial technologies. He said blockchain and tokenisation are buzzwords and stressed upon the conference participants to build their understanding on these through extensive reading and educating themselves. “Identify what is your need and go for the relevant technology adoption.” US regulator grants crypto firms initial approval to launch trust banks Crypto lawyer and digital assets policy expert Mariam Saleem Malik said the evolution of global regulatory framework on crypto and digital assets like the one in the United States suggests that “whenever jurisdiction is low to regulate, innovations lead.” “The administration of former US President Joe Biden was slow and hesitant to introduce regulation, innovation advanced. And American got advantage of that. The UAE is also having a similar or more sophisticated experience in this regard,” she said. She said the good news for Pakistan is that the top leadership has recognised the importance of crypto and blockchain in the country. The deployment of such technology has become a national and economic priority. Now, the acknowledgement is not enough. It should be followed by action and enforcement to build up the crypto and blockchain ecosystem, she added. Mariam further said Pakistan should not pick and choose laws from other jurisdictions and copy and paste, but do the regulations keeping in mind Pakistan’s paint points, culture, demography, economy and it is required to move forward. BlockApex Co-founder Mujtaba Raza said that the blockchain technology works on multiple layers. The layers help setting records straight, eliminate frauds and theft and bring transparency in businesses like in real estate and banking sectors, he said. He said that the technologies help bring efficiency and minimise or eliminate errors. However, it does not work like “give it potatoes and it will produce gold,” he added. XORD Co-founder and Fasset Product Manager Muhammad Salman said, “Crypto adoption has taken place [in Pakistan]. It has happened without regulations. It does not care about the regulations. Now, we are moving in the right direction….trust [on Crypto] is being built with its adoption.” “Stablecoin is the future,” he said, adding that collaboration is taking place in the world across where work on innovation would get advanced on the decentralised technology and regulators would build trust through regulations. Such a combination of the adoption and trust would help new players to roll out their product and services, he maintained. Speaking on ‘Let’s not build in isolation’, Sault Ventures CEO and Founder Junaid Iqbal stressed upon investing in education and healthcare system to prepare and create an enabling customers segment and create markets for products in Pakistan. He added that without doing so markets for products and services would shrink in the country, going forwards. “The budget spending on education and healthcare system stand less than 1% of GDP [gross domestic product] on each,” he said. NOCs to Finance, HTX not blanket approval, first step under supervised framework: PVARA chairman Junaid argued to cut the tax burden and rate of taxes on salaried class individuals and manufacturing system to achieve sustainable economic growth. The salaried people have paid more than Rs550 billion in taxes in FY25 compared to less than 1% of GDP by the agriculture sector in the year, he said, adding higher taxes on salaried people are resulting in brain drain and crushing industries. Speakers at panel discussion on ‘Go viral or go home’, which was moderated by Sumaenah Raza Rizvi, said people should do whatever they have to do to go viral to leave their products and services impact ever-lasting. However, the duration of staying viral remains short like for posts on social media, they said. Therefore, the panellists developed a consensus that it is not a must for every business to go viral. Business projects should focus on achieving sustainability of earnings and growth in the long-run rather than focusing just on going viral in the short run, they opined. The panel discussion on ‘The AI paradox: Ethics, benefits and opportunities’, moderated by 4Sight Technologies CEO Nausheen Ashraf said it should be human beings on the other side of the screen or a machine rather than robots all over the workplace. Moreover, the artificial intelligence (AI) should be used to bring efficiencies and creating more jobs, she said. [...]

PSW extends post-payment regime to SIDC following successful rollout for customs duties, taxes

December 15, 2025 2:06

Soldier martyred, seven terrorists killed in Dera Ismail Khan operation: ISPR

December 15, 2025 1:14

Pakistani security forces killed seven terrorists and recovered weapons and ammunition during an intelligence-based operation in Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan District on Monday, the military’s media wing said. The operation targeted members of the Indian-backed Fitna al Khwarij group involved in multiple terrorist activities, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. One soldier, Naik Yasir Khan, 34, from Mardan, was martyred during the firefight. Forces kill 12 terrorists in Kalat IBO: ISPR ISPR further stated that weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the scene, as militants were involved in multiple acts of terrorism across Kalat and surrounding areas. Sanitization operations are ongoing to eliminate any remaining terrorists in the area. The military said counterterrorism efforts under the federal “Azm-e-Istehkam” initiative will continue to combat foreign-sponsored terrorism across the country. [...]

Sri Lanka shares snap winning streak; third-quarter GDP growth at 5.4%

December 15, 2025 1:12

Punjab by-polls: Notices served on minister, SAPM for 'violating' election code of conduct

November 21, 2025 1:33

This collage of pictures show Federal Minister of Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Huzaifa Rehman. —APP/NA website/FileShow-cause notices have been issued to Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Special Assistant to the... [...]

27th Amendment empowers FCC to hear all constitutional cases: minister

November 20, 2025 7:59

Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik addressing an event on December 21, 2024. — Facebook@BarristerAqeelMalikState Minister for Law Aqeel Malik said on Thursday that the 27th Amendment has vested authority to hear constitutional matters in the Federal Constitutional... [...]

JF-17 attracts strong attention at Dubai Airshow as friendly country inks procurement MoU

November 20, 2025 5:25

Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder fighter jet during World Defence Air Show 2024 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 7, 2024. — PPI Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder garnered significant attention at the Dubai Airshow 2025, leading to the signing of a memorandum of understanding with a... [...]

US lawmakers laud Punjab govt's initiative to modernise brick-kiln

November 20, 2025 4:39

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz attends ceremony in this undated image. — Facebook/@MaryamNSharifISLAMABAD: The Congressional Pakistan Caucus has applauded Punjab’s drive to modernise its brick-kiln sector, saying the reforms could serve as a pilot for eliminating bonded labour and... [...]

Security forces gun down 30 terrorists in multiple IBOs in KP: ISPR

November 20, 2025 4:38

Frontier Constabulary and army personnel gather stand guard in Kurram, January 17, 2025. — AFPSecurity forces killed 30 Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists during multiple intelligence-based operations carried out by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , the military's media wing... [...]

MQM-P calls for new province in Sindh

November 20, 2025 3:56

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui addresses a press conference in Karachi, November 20, 2025. — Screengrab via YouTube/Geo NewsKARACHI: With discussions on the 28th Amendment gaining momentum, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan has once again... [...]

US report validates Pakistan military edge over India: PM

November 20, 2025 3:55

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses ceremony in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on November 20, 2025. — X/@GovtofPakistanPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said a recent US report endorsing Pakistan’s downing of Indian aircraft stands as formal validation of the country’s... [...]

Banned TTP poses serious threat to Pakistan security: UNSC panel

November 20, 2025 10:24

Denmark’s Deputy Permanent Representative to United Nations and chair of UNSC's ISIL, Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee Sandra Jensen Landi. — Screengrab via UN WebTV websiteThe chair of the United Nations Security Council's Daesh and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee has cautioned that the... [...]

CM Afridi clarifies remarks on by-poll after ECP requests army deployment

November 20, 2025 10:01

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi addresses a gathering at Havelian, Abbottabad on November 19, 2025. — Facbook@ImMuhammadSohailAfridiISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Thursday issued a clarification concerning his remarks on the NA-18 by-poll,... [...]

Dubai sees 3.2m Pakistani passengers in 2025 as airport sets new milestone

November 20, 2025 6:16

People sit at a coffee shop as they wait for their flight at the Dubai International Airport, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 17, 2024. — ReutersDUBAI: Dubai International Airport handled 3.2 million passengers travelling from Pakistan in the first nine months of 2025, making the... [...]

Security forces kill 23 Indian proxy terrorists in KP's Kurram

November 20, 2025 5:08

Security forces are seen taking position during an operation. — ISPR/FileRAWALPINDI: Amid country's ongoing fight against the menace of terrorism, security forces have neutralised 23 Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists in separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kurram... [...]

Pakistan to construct island to boost oil exploration: report

November 19, 2025 6:26

Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas United States. — Reuters/FilePakistan's state-owned energy company, Pakistan Petroleum Limited , has announced plans for an artificial island to boost its oil exploration efforts.Islamabad has intensified its... [...]

Russia ready to mediate Pakistan's issues with India, Afghanistan: envoy

November 19, 2025 6:14

Russia's ambassador to Pakistan has extended his country's offer to mediate Islamabad's conflicts with India and Afghanistan, amid strained relations with its neighbouring countries.Islamabad's relations with India have remained tense since the four-day war in May, while the Afghan Taliban regime... [...]

Security forces neutralise four terrorists in KP IBOs

November 19, 2025 5:12

Soldiers ride on a Pakistan Army vehicle in this undated image. — AFP/FileFour terrorists affiliated with Indian proxy, Fitna al-Khawarij, were killed in a series of operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from November 17 to 18, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Wednesday.An... [...]

Reclassification of 41 candidates on reserved seats goes beyond SC mandate: Justice Mandokhail

November 19, 2025 4:38

Supreme Court's Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail addresses an event related to Labour Day in Islamabad on May 1, 2025. — Screengrab/YouTube/Geo NewsISLAMABAD: Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail has released a detailed dissent in the reserved seats case, stating that the ruling on 41 candidates... [...]

Almost 37 people killed in Morocco flash floods

December 15, 2025 1:22

Almost 37 people killed in Morocco flash floodsJust one hour of heavy torrential rain and flash floods had left houses and shops flooded in the coastal town of Morocco.Safi, a town in Morocco was hit by disastrous flash flooding on Sunday December 14, 2025 killing at least 37 people,reports Al... [...]

China makes childbirth free in major 2026 healthcare policy shift

December 15, 2025 12:04

China makes childbirth free in major 2026 healthcare policy shift China’s national healthcare security administration has announced a major shift in policy as it intends to fully cover all policy-approved medical costs related to childbirth. Under a new policy, the couples will be... [...]

Bondi 'hero' who took down gunman is stable after surgery, family confirms

December 15, 2025 8:30

Bondi ‘hero’ who took down gunman is stable after surgery, family confirmsA 43-year-old fruit shop owner identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, is reportedly recovering from surgery after he bravely wrestled a gun from one of the alleged attacks during mass shooting at Bondi Beach. During the... [...]

Hong Kong's pro-democratic activist Jimmy Lai found guilty of national security offences

December 15, 2025 7:24

Hong Kong's pro-democratic activist Jimmy Lai found guilty of national security offencesIn years long trials of Hong Kong high-profile activists, Jimmy Lai had been found guilty of national security offenses on Monday December 15, 2025.The pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been on trial in... [...]

Brown university shooting: Detained 'person of interest' released, officials say

December 15, 2025 6:57

Brown university shooting: Detained ‘person of interest’ released, officials say A Wisconsin man identified as a “person of interest” in connection with the fatal shooting at Brown University in the US, has been released from police custody as reported by Providence... [...]

Bondi beach tragedy: Father, son charged after fatal mass shooting

December 15, 2025 6:12

Bondi beach tragedy: Father, son charged after fatal mass shooting The mass shooting at Bondi beach’s Jewish festival has sent shockwaves across the world as 15 innocent people lost their lives in the deadly tragedy. According to Australian police official authorities, two gunmen, a... [...]

Brown university shooting suspect arrested, reports officials

December 14, 2025 3:05

Brown university shooting suspect arrestedA suspect has been arrested after two people were killed and multiple injured in a shooting attack at Brown University in Rhode Island.As reported by the Guardian, Mayor Brett Smiley of Providence informed that a person of interest was in custody on Sunday... [...]

Eleven killed in shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach

December 14, 2025 11:41

Twelve killed in shooting at Australia’s Bondi BeachThe shooting at Bondi Beach, which resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries and prompted shockwaves within the community occurred on Sunday, December 14.According to the BBC, nine people were killed in a shooting that took place at a... [...]

Teenager plunges to death while taking a photograph on cliff at Australian beach

December 14, 2025 9:47

Teenager plunges to death while taking a photograph on cliff at Australian beachA teenager killed in a tragic fall and lost her life after jumping a safety fence and slipping off a cliff while trying to take a photograph on the Sunshine Coast at Moffat Beach.The 17-year-old girl fell 30 metres at... [...]

Two killed, nine injured after deadly shooting at US university

December 14, 2025 5:50

Two killed, nine injured after deadly shooting at U.S. universityA tragic incident occurred at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island resulting in two deaths and nine injuries on Saturday.Concerning the serious situation, some of the injured are in a critical condition in hospital, and... [...]

Indonesia flood tragedy: Death toll crosses 1,000

December 13, 2025 1:03

Indonesia flood tragedy: Death toll crosses 1,000Indonesia has been grappling with climate disaster as destructive floods and landslides have killed 1,003 people, according to rescuers’ reports on Saturday. As per the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, the calamity which ravaged the... [...]

Trump administration $100,000 H-1B visa fee faces legal challenge from US states

December 13, 2025 5:15

Trump administration $100,000 H-1B visa fee faces legal challenge from US statesA coalition of California and 19 other U.S. states has reportedly filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s newly imposed $100,000 fee on H-1B visas for highly-qualified migrants on Friday.The... [...]

Americans skeptical of Trump on Epstein, but Republican doubts ease

December 12, 2025 6:41

Americans are deeply skeptical of President Donald Trump's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, though he is shoring up support among his core Republican followers who have long focused on the case, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found.The poll, completed on Monday, found that most Americans believe... [...]

UK economy contracted by 0.1%: What's behind unexpected drop?

December 12, 2025 10:41

UK economy contracted by 0.1%: What’s behind unexpected drop?The UK’s economy has witnessed an unexpected drop during the three months to October, according to official figures. As per the Office for National Statistics data, GDP shrunk by 0.1 percent in the August to October period.... [...]

Trump signs executive order blocking states from regulating own AI rules

December 12, 2025 8:00

Trump signs executive order blocking states from regulating own AI rulesTrump signed an executive order imposing national AI rules on Thursday, December 11, 2025, that aimed at blocking states from enforcing their own artificial intelligence AI regulations.U.S. President Donald Trump told... [...]

خیبرپختونخوا حکومت کا بھنگ کی کاشت کو قانونی حیثیت دینے پر غور

December 15, 2025 9:12

خیبرپختونخوا حکومت نے بھنگ کی کاشت کو قانونی حیثیت دینے پر غور شروع کر دیا۔ادویات بنانے والے بڑی کمپنیوں کو لائسنس جاری کیے جائیں... [...]

گھوٹکی: ڈاکوؤں کا بس پر حملہ، 19 مرد اغوا کرلیے

December 15, 2025 8:12

—اسکرین شاٹ گھوٹکی میں ڈاکوؤں کا مسافر بس پر دھاوا، بس میں سوار 19 مردوں کو اغوا کرلیا، ڈاکوؤں نے تمام خواتین کو چھوڑ دیا۔عینی... [...]

کراچی کو اس نہج پر پہنچانے والے آج رو رہے ہیں، سعدیہ جاوید

December 15, 2025 8:12

فائل فوٹوسندھ حکومت کی ترجمان سعدیہ جاوید کا کہنا ہے کہ کراچی کو اس نہج تک پہنچانے والے آج رو رہے ہیں، ریکارڈ دیکھیں، پتہ چل جائے گا... [...]

پنجاب: مختلف علاقوں میں شدید دھند، موٹرویز کے مختلف سیکشنز بند

December 15, 2025 8:12

پنجاب کے مختلف علاقوں میں شدید دھند، حد نگاہ متاثر ہونے پر موٹرویز کے مختلف سیکشنز بند کردیے گئے۔ایم ٹو ٹھوکر نیاز بیگ سے ہرن مینار،... [...]

حکومت کا PTI قیادت کی بانی سے ملاقات کرانے کا اشارہ

December 15, 2025 8:12

حکومت کا پی ٹی آئی کی قیادت کو اس کے بانی سے ملاقات کرانے کی اجازت دینے کا اشارہ دیا ہے۔ وفاقی وزیر اطلاعات عطا تارڑ کا کہنا ہے کہ... [...]

کراچی اور بلوچستان میں زلزلے کے جھٹکے، شدت 5.2 ریکارڈ

December 15, 2025 7:12

کراچی اور بلوچستان میں زلزلے کے جھٹکے محسوس کیے گئے۔ زلزلے کی شدت 5.2 اور گہرائی 12 کلومیٹر ریکارڈ کی گئی۔کراچی کے علاقے آئی آئی چند... [...]

اٹلی سے آنیوالے دولہا کی شادی میں ملکی اور غیر ملکی نوٹوں کی بارش

December 15, 2025 6:12

—جیو نیوز گریبپنجاب کے شہر گوجرانوالہ میں ہونے والی ایک بارات میں دولہا کے دوستوں نے نوٹوں کی برسات کر دی۔بارات گوجرانوالہ کے علاقے... [...]

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December 15, 2025 5:12

عطاء اللّٰہ تارڑ—فائل فوٹووفاقی وزیرِ اطلاعات و نشریات عطاء اللّٰہ تارڑ نے کہا ہے کہ تحریکِ انصاف کا ووٹر مایوس ہو کر گھر بیٹھ گیا... [...]

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December 15, 2025 5:12

سینئر صحافی اور اینکر پرسن کامران یوسف کا کہنا ہے کہ جنرل فیض حمید صرف آرمی چیف نہیں بلکہ چین اور روس کی طرز پر صدر بننا چاہتے... [...]

مصطفیٰ کمال نے چیمبر سے خطاب کو خود کو فرشتہ سمجھنے کی تقریب بنالیا، سعدیہ جاوید

December 15, 2025 4:12

سعدیہ جاوید—فائل فوٹوترجمان سندھ حکومت سعدیہ جاوید نے وفاقی وزیر مصطفیٰ کمال کی پریس کانفرنس پر ردعمل کا اظہار کیا ہے۔جاری کیے گئے... [...]

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December 15, 2025 4:12

—فائل فوٹومیانوالی میں ٹول پلازہ کے عملے نے ٹول ٹیکس میں رعایت مانگنے پر کار سوار کو تشدد کا نشانہ بنایا ہے۔جناح بیراج داؤد خیل ٹول... [...]

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December 15, 2025 4:12

—تصویر بشکریہ سوشل میڈیالیفٹیننٹ جنرل حسن اظہر حیات کو پاکستان لینڈ پورٹ اتھارٹی کا مینیجنگ ڈائریکٹر ڈائریکٹر تعینات کر دیا گیا... [...]

کراچی: پکڑی گئی منشیات فروخت کرنے کا الزام، ڈی ایس پی واصف قریشی سب انسپکٹر سمیت معطل

December 15, 2025 3:12

—فائل فوٹوڈپٹی سپرنٹنڈنٹ آف پولیس ایس آئی یو واصف قریشی اور سب انسپکٹر اعجاز بٹ کو معطل کر دیا گیا۔کراچی پولیس ذرائع کے مطابق ڈی... [...]

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December 15, 2025 3:12

—فائل فوٹو کراچی کے علاقے ملیر الفلاح میں گھر میں مبینہ ڈکیتی کی واردات کا واقعہ پیش آیا ہے، متاثرہ شہری کا دعویٰ ہے کہ 2 خواتین اور... [...]

سابق چیف جسٹس قاضی فائز عیسیٰ کو دھمکیاں، کالعدم ٹی ایل پی کے پیر ظہیرالحسن کو 35 سال کی سزا

December 15, 2025 3:12

سابق چیف جسٹس قاضی فائز عیسیٰ کو دھمکیاں دینے کے مقدمے میں کالعدم ٹی ایل پی کے رہنما پیر ظہیر الحسن شاہ کو ساڑھے 35 سال قید کی سزا... [...]

جنگ بندی کے بعد یوکرین میں کثیرالقوامی امن فورس تعینات کی جائے، یورپین قیادت

December 15, 2025 9:12

یورپی لیڈرز نے کہا ہے کہ مستقبل میں یوکرین میں سیکیورٹی ضمانتوں اور امریکی اعانت کے ساتھ ملٹی نیشنل امن فوج تعینات کی جائے۔غیرملکی... [...]

بھارت: وزیرِ اعلیٰ بہار نے تقریب میں مسلمان خاتون کی نقاب کھینچ دی

December 15, 2025 6:12

بھارت میں مسلمانوں سے جاری ناروا سلوک کا ایک اور واقعہ سامنے آ گیا۔بہار کے وزیرِ اعلیٰ نتیش کمار نے ڈاکٹروں کو اپائنٹمنٹ... [...]

بھارت: محبوبہ کا سر کاٹ کر ملزم شادی کی تیاریوں میں مشغول ہو گیا

December 15, 2025 5:12

—فوٹو بشکریہ بھارتی میڈیا بھارتی ریاست اترپردیش کے ضلع سہارن پور میں ایک شخص اپنی دوست کا سر کاٹ کر قتل کرنے کے بعد شادی کی تیاریوں... [...]

یوکرینی صدر کی سیکیورٹی ضمانتوں کے بدلے نیٹو رکنیت کی خواہش ترک کرنے کی پیشکش

December 15, 2025 4:12

یوکرینی صدر زیلنسکی—فائل فوٹویوکرینی صدر زیلنسکی نے مضبوط سیکیورٹی ضمانتوں کے بدلے نیٹو کی رکنیت کی دیرینہ خواہش ترک کرنے کی پیشکش... [...]

امریکا: کیلیفورنیا اور نیو اورلینز میں دہشتگردی کے منصوبے ناکام، 5 افراد گرفتار

December 15, 2025 3:12

—فائل فوٹوامریکی وفاقی تحقیقاتی ادارے ایف بی آئی نے ریاست کیلیفورنیا اور نیو اورلینز میں دہشت گردی کے منصوبے ناکام بنا دیے۔امریکی... [...]

سڈنی واقعہ: آسٹریلوی حکام نے بھارتی ایجنسیز سے رابطہ کر لیا

December 15, 2025 2:12

—فوٹو: اے ایف پی آسٹریلیا کے شہر سڈنی میں فائرنگ کے واقعے کی تحقیقات جاری ہیں، اس حوالے سے آسٹریلوی حکام نے بھارت کی ایجنسیز سے... [...]

پریمیئر نیو ساؤتھ ویلز کرس منز احمد الاحمد کی عیادت کرنے اسپتال پہنچ گئے

December 15, 2025 2:12

—فوٹو بشکریہ ایکس آسٹریلیا کی ریاست نیو ساؤتھ ویلز کے پریمیئر کرس منز احمد الاحمد کی عیادت کے لیے اسپتال پہنچ گئے۔اس موقع پر انہوں... [...]

اسرائیل کیخلاف مزاحمت فلسطینی عوام کی خواہش ہے: حماس رہنما اسامہ حمدان

December 15, 2025 2:12

اسامہ حمدان—فائل فوٹوحماس کے سینئر رہنما اسامہ حمدان نے کہا ہے کہ اسرائیل کے خلاف مزاحمت تمام فلسطینی عوام کی خواہش ہے، آئندہ مرحلے... [...]

مراکش: بارش و سیلاب، حادثات میں 37 افراد ہلاک، 14 زخمی

December 15, 2025 1:12

—تصویر بشکریہ سوشل میڈیامراکش کے بحرِ اوقیانوس کے ساحل کے کنارے آباد شہر آسفی میں اتوار کو ایک گھنٹے تک طوفانی بارش ہوئی ہے۔بارش... [...]

سعودی عرب: رواں برس کتنے مجرموں کو سزائے موت دی گئی؟

December 15, 2025 1:12

—علامتی تصویرسعودی عرب میں رواں برس ریکارڈ تعداد میں مجرموں کو سزائے موت دی گئی ہے۔دارالحکومت ریاض سے خبر ایجنسی کے مطابق سعودی... [...]

سڈنی: حملہ آور کو دبوچ کر قابو کرنیوالے شامی ہیرو احمد الاحمد کی دنیا بھر میں پذیرائی

December 15, 2025 12:12

سڈنی میں حملہ آور کو دبوچ کر بندوق چھیننے والے شامی ہیرو احمد الاحمد کو آسٹریلیا سمیت دنیا بھر میں پذیرائی ملنے لگی ہے۔امریکی... [...]

نیتن یاہو کو سڈنی حملہ آور کو قابو کرنیوالے احمد الاحمد کی شناخت سے متعلق وضاحت کرنا پڑ گئی

December 15, 2025 12:12

—تصاویر بشکریہ غیر ملکی میڈیااسرائیلی وزیرِ اعظم بنیامین نیتن یاہو نے سڈنی کے بانڈی بیچ پر دہشت گرد حملے کے دوران بہادری دکھانے... [...]

سڈنی حملے میں ملوث ملزم سے متعلق آسٹریلوی وزیرِ اعظم کے انکشافات

December 15, 2025 11:12

آسٹریلوی وزیراعظم نے دہشتگردی کے واقعے میں کسی بڑے انتہا پسند گروپ کے ملوث ہونے کا امکان مسترد کردیا۔سڈنی میں میڈیا سے گفتگو... [...]

سڈنی حملے میں ملوث ساجد اکرم کے بھارتی ہونے کا انکشاف

December 15, 2025 10:12

... [...]

ہوٹل میں پولیس چھاپے کے بعد خاتون کی نالی کے پائپ سے فرار کی کوشش، گر کر شدید زخمی

December 15, 2025 10:12

تصاویر:بھارتی میڈیابھارتی شہر بنگلور میں شور شرابے کی شکایت پر پولیس کے چھاپے میں 21 سالہ خاتون ہوٹل کی بالکونی سے پائپ کے ذریعے فرار... [...]

پیٹرولیم مصنوعات کی قیمتوں میں ردو بدل کر دی گئی

December 15, 2025 6:12

فائل فوٹو پیٹرولیم مصنوعات کی قیمتوں میں رد و بدل کر دی گئی۔وزارتِ خزانہ کی جانب سے پیٹرولیم مصنوعات کی نئی قیمتوں کا نوٹیفکیشن جاری... [...]

انٹر بینک: ڈالر آج 1 پیسے سستا ہوا

December 15, 2025 4:12

—فائل فوٹوانٹر بینک میں آج کاروبار کے اختتام پر امریکی ڈالر 1 پیسے سستا ہوا ہے۔انٹر بینک میں ڈالر 1 پیسے سستا ہو کر 280 روپے 31 پیسے پر... [...]

ایل این جی کی قیمتوں میں کمی

December 15, 2025 3:12

—فائل فوٹوآئل اینڈ گیس ریگولیٹری اتھارٹی نے لیکوفائیڈ نیچرل گیس قیمتوں میں 5 اعشاریہ 90 فیصد تک کمی کر دی۔اوگرا نے دسمبر کے لیے ایل... [...]

پاور سیکٹر کو 2 ہزار 872 ارب روپے کا نقصان

December 15, 2025 2:12

—فائل فوٹوبجلی کی تقسیم کار کمپنیوں کی ناقص کارکردگی سے سالانہ اربوں روپے کا نقصان سامنے آیا ہے۔نیشنل الیکٹرک پاور ریگولیٹری... [...]

وزیرِ خزانہ سے اے ڈی بی وفد کی ملاقات، اسٹریٹجک شراکت داری مضبوط کرنے پر اتفاق

December 15, 2025 2:12

—تصویر بشکریہ سوشل میڈیاپاکستان اور ایشیائی ترقیاتی بینک کے درمیان اسٹریٹجک شراکت داری مزید مضبوط کرنے پر اتفاق ہوا ہے۔وزیرِ خزانہ... [...]

وزیر خزانہ کی زیرِصدارت اجلاس، سرکاری اداروں کے بورڈز کی تشکیلِ نو، تقرریوں کی منظوری

December 15, 2025 2:12

وزیر خزانہ محمد اورنگزیب—فائل فوٹووزیرِ خزانہ محمد اورنگزیب کی زیرِ صدارت کابینہ کی ایس او ایز کمیٹی کا اجلاس ہوا۔اجلاس میں کمیٹی... [...]

پاکستان کا معاشی ماڈل 25 کروڑ عوام کو چلانے کے قابل نہیں: مزمل اسلم

December 15, 2025 12:12

مشیرِ خزانہ خیبر پختون خوا مزمل اسلم—فائل فوٹومشیرِ خزانہ خیبر پختون خوا مزمل اسلم نے کہا ہے کہ پاکستان کا معاشی ماڈل 25 کروڑ عوام کو... [...]

صدر کراچی چیمبر کی مصطفیٰ کمال سے مسئلہ حل کرانے کی درخواست

December 15, 2025 12:12

ایوانِ صنعت و تجارت کراچی کے صدر ریحان حنیف—فائل فوٹوایوانِ صنعت و تجارت کراچی کے صدر ریحان حنیف نے کہا ہے کہ ایک ہفتے سے برآمدی... [...]

بجلی کی تقسیم کار کمپنیوں کیلئے نئے اسمارٹ میٹرز کی قیمتیں 40 فیصد تک کم ہو گئیں، اویس لغاری

December 15, 2025 11:12

وفاقی وزیرِ پاور ڈویژن اویس لغاری کا کہنا ہے کہ بجلی کی تقسیم کار کمپنیوں کے لیے نئے اسمارٹ میٹرز کی قیمتیں 40 فیصد تک کم ہو... [...]

اسٹیٹ بینک نے شرح سود میں کمی کردی

December 15, 2025 11:12

—فائل فوٹواسٹیٹ بینک آف پاکستان نے شرح سود میں کمی کر دی۔اسٹیٹ بینک آف پاکستان کی مانیٹری پالیسی کمیٹی کا اجلاس ہوا، جس میں شرح... [...]

ملک میں فی تولہ سونا 2600 روپے مہنگا

December 15, 2025 10:12

--فوٹو: فائلملک میں سونے کی قیمت میں اضافہ جاری ہے، آج فی تولہ سونا 2600 روپے مہنگا ہوگیا۔آل پاکستان صرافہ جیمز اینڈ جیولری ایسوسی ایشن... [...]

پاکستان اسٹاک ایکسچینج میں نیا ریکارڈ، 100 انڈیکس ایک لاکھ 71 ہزار پر پہنچ گیا

December 15, 2025 6:12

فائل فوٹوپاکستان اسٹاک ایکسچینج میں کاروباری ہفتے کے پہلے دن تیزی کے باعث 100 انڈیکس ایک لاکھ 71 ہزار کی بلند ترین سطح پر ہے۔بازار حصص... [...]

دسمبر کے دوسرے کاروباری ہفتے میں انڈیکس پہلی بار 1 لاکھ 70 ہزار ہوا

December 13, 2025 6:12

---فائل فوٹو پاکستان اسٹاک ایکسچینج میں دسمبر کے دوسرے کاروباری ہفتے کے دوران 100 انڈیکس نے پہلی بار 1 لاکھ 70 ہزار پوائنٹس کو... [...]

پاور سیکٹر نے 11 دن میں اوسطاً کتنی ایل این جی استعمال کی؟

December 12, 2025 3:12

پاور سیکٹر نے دسمبر کے ابتدائی 11 دنوں میں اوسطاً کتنی لیکوفائیڈ نیچرل گیس استعمال کی؟دستاویز کے مطابق پاور سیکٹرنے 11 دن میں اوسطاً 22... [...]

بائنانس، ایچ ٹی ایکس کو پاکستان میں این او سی جاری

December 12, 2025 1:12

—تصویر بشکریہ سوشل میڈیاپاکستان ورچوئل ایسٹس ریگولیٹری اتھارٹی نے بائنانس اور ایچ ٹی ایکس کو این او سی جاری کر دیا۔پاکستان... [...]

Broadcom’s worst three-day stock slide since 2020 marks a humbling of sorts

December 16, 2025 3:45

Meta is now worth more than Broadcom once again. [...]

Two Fed officials who rarely agree both say inflation will not be a problem going forward

December 16, 2025 12:56

Fed governor Stephen Miran and New York Fed President John Williams say they are not worried about inflation. [...]

‘Am I simply the unloved son?’ My mother ghosted me after my father died. Is she stealing his money?

December 16, 2025 12:30

“No phone calls, no holiday cards, no explanation, no anything.” [...]

‘We all have economic jitters’: After the Fed cut rates, should my son buy a $600K house?

December 16, 2025 12:08

“They are tuned in to friends and colleagues, who are losing jobs, cognizant of shifts in company agendas and financial worries.” [...]

2025 was one hell of a year. Consumers should expect more ‘silent pain’ in 2026

December 16, 2025 12:07

Tariffs, an AI boom, geopolitical divisions and a new administration ushered in a unique, unsettling year for consumers. [...]

Why Oracle’s stock — and its bonds — can’t shake off AI spending fears

December 15, 2025 11:02

Oracle has left nervous investors with more questions than answers about the company’s AI financing plans. [...]

You’ve just won the $1.1 billion Powerball jackpot. Here are the 5 money moves you need to make next.

December 15, 2025 10:20

But even if you’re not a big lottery winner in Monday’s Powerball drawing, it’s still worth heeding this advice for managing a significant sum of money [...]

Why Ford is scrapping major EV plans and taking a $19.5 billion hit

December 15, 2025 10:19

The Detroit automaker is refocusing on hybrids and pouring money into battery-energy storage. [...]

‘The stress at my job is getting worse every day’: I’m 61, earn $177K, and have a 401(k) with $965K. Do I retire and downsize?

December 15, 2025 10:05

“I don’t want to end up in a nursing home on Medicare like my grandma.” [...]

Trouble persists in a key corner of financial markets — and these assets face the greatest risk

December 15, 2025 9:52

Signs of possible trouble are cropping up again in a crucial corner of the financial market despite the Federal Reserve’s best efforts to calm things down — raising questions about whether the central bank might need to do more. [...]

Gen X-ers are lagging behind in retirement saving and planning. How to catch up.

December 15, 2025 11:59

Broadcom’s worst three-day stock slide since 2020 marks a humbling of sorts

December 15, 2025 11:14

Why Ford is scrapping major EV plans and taking a $19.5 billion hit

December 15, 2025 10:22

Why Wall Street’s lone Nvidia bear is doubling down on his call

December 15, 2025 9:30

They made big money on risky trades this year. Then they posted about it.

December 15, 2025 9:29

U.S. stocks end lower as rotation trade continues

December 15, 2025 9:01