Pak-Saudi trade corridor recently proposed
With Pakistan and Saudi Arabia recently sealing a historic defence pact, policymakers and business leaders are increasingly calling for the two nations to expand cooperation into structured economic frameworks that could reshape regional connectivity.
They believe that a Pak-Saudi Economic Corridor (PSEC), modelled on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, could be the natural next step to convert the momentum of the new security alliance into long-term economic dividends.
| Pakistan: Central Government Debt (In Billion Rupees) (P) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt Instruments | As on end Period | ||
| Jul-24 | Jun-25 | Jul-25 | |
| A. Central Government Domestic Debt (a+b+c) | 47,716 | 54,471 | 54,988 |
| a. Long Term | 36,990 | 45,651 | 46,189 |
| b. Short Term | 10,638 | 8,759 | 8,728 |
| c. Naya Pakistan Certificates | 88 | 62 | 71 |
| B. Central Government External Debt | 21,907 | 23,417 | 23,250 |
| Long Term | 21,677 | 23,207 | 23,019 |
| Short Term | 230 | 210 | 231 |
| Central Government Debt (A+B) | 69,623 | 77,888 | 78,238 |
Inflation surges to 5.6pc in Sept
The inflation rate jumped to a one-year high of 5.6percent in September due to a surge in prices of non-perishable food items, while the cost of perishable goods decreased despite floods, beating official expectations of a relatively lower price hike. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Wednesday that inflation accelerated in both rural and urban centres, with price increases witnessed across various groups of the inflation basket, barring perishable foods. As a result, inflation surged to 5.6percent last month, the highest in a year, exceeding the Ministry of Finance’s maximum forecast of 4.5percent issued just a day earlier. The inflation bulletin coincided with ongoing talks between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The economic impact of the floods remains one of the important topics in the discussions, which so far appear calmer compared to earlier rounds.
Global, domestic firms to revive Peshawar block
International and local energy companies have agreed to form a joint venture to inject new life into the Peshawar Block, which has remained inactive for several years, and recommence exploration and development activities.
To discuss the revival of the Peshawar Block, a high-level meeting was held on Wednesday between Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and the senior leadership of international and local energy firms.
The minister met with Hycarbex American Energy CEO Pierce Onthank and Mari Energies CEO Faheem Haider at the Ministry of Petroleum. The executives briefed the minister on a landmark transaction wherein Mari Energies partnered with Hycarbex and Fatima Petroleum for exploration work in the Peshawar Block.
The new collaboration between Hycarbex, Mari Energies and Fatima Petroleum will form a joint venture to recommence exploration and development activities.
PTCL-Telenor merger accepted
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Wednesday approved the much-awaited acquisition of mobile services company Telenor by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) after a long wait of 18 months.
“This is one of the most complicated transactions in the entire world,” CCP Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu remarked while announcing the approval of PTCL-Telenor merger. He elaborated that strict conditions had been attached to the deal to discourage the creation of a monopoly and to avoid anti-competitive practices.
The CCP has approved the acquisition of 100percent shareholding in Telenor Pakistan and Orion Towers by PTCL, subject to extensive conditions designed to preserve competition, ensure non-discriminatory access and secure the pass-through of efficiencies to consumers.
First e-balloting for e-bikes kicks off
The Ministry of Industries and Production, through the Engineering Development Board (EDB), on Wednesday conducted the first-ever Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification (PAVE) Scheme e-balloting to allocate subsidised electric two- and three-wheelers across Pakistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
According to an official statement, the secure digital balloting was held via the PAVE Online Portal under the supervision of the Balloting Oversight Committee.
A total of 269,161 applications were received, out of which 40,000 qualified in the e-balloting. In the digital draw, 40,000 electric two-wheelers and 1,000 electric three-wheelers were allocated among successful applicants. The statement adds that applicants will be notified through the online portal using their CNIC or Application ID.
Cooperative farming major to sustainable agriculture
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, has said that cooperative farming will play a crucial role in strengthening Pakistan’s agriculture and ensuring food security.
Chairing a high-level meeting on cooperative farming and marketing, also attended by Rana Iftikhar Muhammad, President of the Chamber of Agriculture Punjab, and other stakeholders, the minister called the initiative the “backbone of sustainable agriculture.”
In Khairpur OGDC discovers gas, condensate
Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) on Wednesday announced a significant discovery of gas and condensate at Bitrism East-1 exploratory well, located in Khairpur district of Sindh.
The Bitrism East-1 well was drilled on June 30, 2025 and reached a depth of 3,800 metres in the Sembar Formation. The well was drilled using OGDC’s in-house expertise in collaboration with its joint-venture partner Government Holdings (Private) Limited.
Based on wireline log interpretations, two Drill Stem Tests (DSTs) were conducted in the Lower Goru Formation, targeting Massive and Basal Sands. Both the first DST in the Massive Sand and the second test in the Basal Sand confirmed the presence of hydrocarbon.
The well has a combined production potential of 22.5 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of gas and 690 barrels per day (bpd) of condensate at a 32/64″ choke.