USF accepts Rs13b new telecom projects
The Universal Service Fund (USF) is poised to achieve a major milestone under the prime minister’s Digital Pakistan vision with the approval of nine new telecom projects valuing at Rs13.05 billion.
These projects are set to provide high-speed internet and voice services to 5.55 million un-served and underserved residents across 178 towns/union councils and 753 mauzas of 11 districts across the country, significantly empowering the rural population to participate in the digital economy and connect with the digital world, said.
Six projects will deliver high-speed broadband and voice services to 1.27 million people in 753 mauzas across seven districts. Similarly, three projects will lay optic fibre cable over 1,428 km in 178 towns/union councils in four districts and enable connectivity for 4.29 million people.
IMF statement ‘indictment’ of govt: MPS
A main arm of parliament on Wednesday declared the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) report an “indictment of the government and parliament”, as the finance minister promised to submit an action plan in the current month to address governance and corruption challenges.
“We do not want to use the IMF report to criticise, but it is an indictment of the government and parliament,” said Syed Naveed Qamar, Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance. The committee had called the finance minister for a briefing on the IMF report.
Government, oil sector in tracking system row
The government and oil industry have entered into a deadlock over the installation of auto tank gauging (ATG) system at petrol pumps to monitor the sale and purchase of petroleum products.
The government wants to set a target of installing 5 percent ATG at retail outlets and expand the tagging to 100 percent in a year. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) wants to install ATG following the model of the track and trace system installed in industries.
The Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) had written a letter to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), saying that the industry could not install ATG system due to the higher cost involved in it.
Revenue gap increases alarm as businesses seek reforms
The struggle of Pakistan’s financial managers to achieve revenue targets for the current fiscal year has once again come under the spotlight, with early data pointing to a widening gap between projected collections and actual performance.
The first quarter of fiscal year 2025-26 has already revealed a shortfall of nearly Rs200 billion, indicating deeper structural problems in the tax system at a time when the country remains under strict scrutiny from international lenders. The revenue target for the year requires a substantial 20.3 percent annual growth. However, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has so far managed to achieve only 12.5 percent growth in the first quarter. This mismatch has prompted growing concerns among business leaders, who believe the government must urgently address flaws in the taxation framework before the gap becomes unmanageable.
Inspire to train youth
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has stressed that under the INSPIRE initiative, 7,200 young Pakistanis will be trained in advanced semiconductor technologies, supported by the establishment of nine IC (integrated circuit) design labs across university clusters nationwide, to strengthen Pakistan’s hardware and chip-design ecosystem.
A high-level delegation comprising Louisa Odell, Innovation and Technology Adviser at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); Michael Unwin, Strategic Partnership Lead, Technology & Innovation Unit, FCDO; and Kimberly Brown, Global Head of Mobile for Humanitarian, GSMA, called on the IT minister in Islamabad.
Pakistan, Egypt accept to strengthen economic ties
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a meeting with Egypt’s Minister of Investment & Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib on the sidelines of the D-8 Trade Ministers Council. Their discussion focused on expanding bilateral economic cooperation, exploring sector-specific opportunities and creating structured mechanisms for enhanced private-sector engagement between the two countries.
Jam Kamal appreciated the remarkable development and infrastructure transformation in Cairo, noting that the recent political goodwill between Pakistan and Egypt presents a strong foundation for deeper economic partnership. The federal minister underscored the importance of diversifying Pakistan’s export base, for which he identified key growth sectors such as textile, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, IT and value-added industries.
Solutions to SME problems sought
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production (SAPM) Haroon Akhtar Khan on Wednesday chaired a meeting that discussed in detail the regional challenges facing small and medium enterprise (SME) clusters, particularly the issues related to logistics, value addition, financing and infrastructure.
Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber officials highlighted that the region was rich in natural resources and its SMEs deserved special attention as shortage of warehouses and logistical constraints posed major challenges to business growth.
With trade obligations, meeting reviews compliance
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik has stressed the necessity of a modern and efficient tariff regime to support economic stability, protect domestic industries and ensure compliance with international trade commitments.
He chaired the fifth meeting of the Prime Minister’s Committee for the Modernisation of the National Tariff Commission (NTC). The committee reviewed the core objectives, expertise and mandate of the NTC, which included responsibilities under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) trade remedy laws, dispute settlement mechanisms, tariff rationalisation and broader trade policy matters.