According to the latest economic survey of Pakistan, in the latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) of April 2026, the IMF revised the global growth viewpoint downward following the outbreak of war in the Middle East and the resulting disruptions in energy markets, trade flows, and financial situations. Global growth, estimated at 3.4 percent in 2025, is projected to slow to 3.1 percent in 2026, then recover slightly to 3.2 percent in 2027. The downgrade reflects heightened geopolitical tensions, elevated energy and food prices, tighter financial situations, and persistent trade fragmentation. Global headline inflation, after declining to 4.1 percent in 2025,…
Author: S. Kamal Hayder Kazmi
According to the government of Pakistan, education is the foundation of a better future for every child and a strong society. Quality and inclusive education develops skills, promotes economic growth, reduces poverty and strengthens society’s ability to achieve sustainable development. Over the past five decades, education has contributed to around 50 percent of worldwide economic growth and assisted reduce extreme poverty by almost 40 percent. Pakistan’s large youth bulge can be transformed into a productive resource through effective investment in education. However, this requires enhanced access to quality and equity across all levels of education. In the face of demographic…
Key Highlights Of Pakistan Budget For FY2026-27 Total outlay at Rs18.77 trillion, up 7 percent as compared to Rs17.57 trillion budgeted outlay of FY26 Growth target at 4 percent Inflation expected at 8.2 percent FBR revenue target at Rs15.26 trillion, an increase of over 8 percent compared to Rs14.13 trillion proposed in outgoing fiscal year Rs5.336 trillion from non-tax revenue Rs1 trillion for Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) Minimum wage at Rs40,700, 10 percent increase from Rs37,000 in FY26 Rs8.054 trillion for interest payments, up 16 percent from Rs6.937 trillion in FY26 (revised) Rs1.169 trillion for pension payments, up 11…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market (June 11, 2026) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 194.24 199.65 Bahrain Dinar BHD 735.32 745.9 Canadian Dollar CAD 198.08 203.65 China Yuan CNY 38.05 38.8 Danish Krone DKK 43.39 43.79 Euro EUR 321.81 325.81 Hong Kong Dollar HKD…
Australian stocks climb to one-week high Australian shares hit a one-week high on Friday, with gold and mining stock leading gains as easing US-Iran tensions boosted risk appetite after US President Donald Trump called off planned strikes on Iran. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 1.8 percent to 8,789.10 by 0032 GMT, its highest level since June 3. The benchmark was also set to log its best week since mid-April. It fell 0.2 percent on Thursday. Investors capped out a week marked by swings in Middle East tensions, with sentiment improving overnight after Trump said a peace deal with Iran could…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD JCI Jakarta [+] 06/10/2026 5,902.38 2.71% 5.50% -15.31% -18.37% -30.87% TA-35 [+] 06/10/2026 4,196.03 -0.86% -1.68% -7.05% 53.60% 16.45% ASE Amman [+] 06/10/2026 3,927.60 -1.24% -1.98% 1.84% 46.98% 10.15% KASE [+] 11/27/2025 6,849.29 0.31% 1.96% -1.37% 25.19% 0 KSW Kuwait [+] 06/10/2026 9,176.08 0.03% -0.06% -2.18% 2.82% -2.83% KSE Kyrgyz [+] 06/10/2026 8,295.51 -1.35% -1.94% -1.83% 74.01% 30.14% LSX Index [+] 06/10/2026 1,313.10 0.02% -0.02% -1.07% 15.32% 5.29% OMX Riga [+] 06/11/2026 902.81 -0.34% -0.40% 2.68% 0.84% -2.46% OMX Vilnius [+] 06/11/2026 1,448.81 0.10% -0.07%…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] May 2026 4.2% 3.4% United Kingdom [+] April 2026 2.8% 1.4% Germany [+] April 2026 2.9% 2.0% France [+] December 2025 0.8% 0.8% Japan [+] April 2026 1.3% 0% Spain [+] May 2026 3.2% 1.7% Italy [+] March 2025 2.0% 1.2% Portugal [+] December 2025 2.2% 2.2% Greece [+] May 2026 5.2% 3.5% Ireland [+] December 2025 2.8% 2.8% Andorra [+] April 2026 4.8% 3.3% Armenia [+] April 2025 2.7% 2.5% Angola [+] May 2026 10.9% 2.9% Argentina [+] April 2026 32.4% 12.3% Austria [+] December 2025 3.8%…
Japan’s economy grows 1.8pc in q1 Japan’s economy expanded at an annualized real rate of 1.8 percent in the January-March quarter, revised down from an initial estimate of 2.1 percent, as capital investment slowed. The downward revision reflected weaker-than-expected business investment, with capital spending falling 0.7 percent in the quarter revised sharply from a preliminary 0.3 percent increase as outlays on software and production machinery disappointed. Real GDP grew 0.45 percent from the October-December period, down from the preliminary reading of 0.51 percent. Despite marking a second consecutive quarter of growth, momentum is expected to stall in the April-June period,…
OFAC unveils sweeping framework for Venezuela oil The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday unveiled a broad new sanctions framework aimed at reopening significant portions of Venezuela’s energy and mining sectors to U.S. and allied companies, while explicitly authorizing shipping, insurance, and logistics activities needed to support exports. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued updated versions of seven Venezuela-related general licenses covering oil exports, U.S. diluent sales, energy services, mining activities, transactions involving state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), and operations by major international energy companies. The measures replace licenses first issued earlier this year and establish…
Since 2000 OPEC oil production falls to lowest level Crude oil production among members of OPEC has this year collapsed to a generational low, at just 16.13 million barrels daily, Reuters reported, citing a regular survey it conducts on OPEC production. The amount is the lowest since 2000, the publication noted. The May average is also lower than OPEC production at the height of the Covid lockdowns, when the reduction was prompted by the collapse in demand as a result of the lockdowns. It is worth noting, however, that the May OPEC figure excludes the UAE, which left the group…
Business not financial strategy “There ain’t no bargains,” and “You get at most what you pay for,” Successful acquisitions are based upon business plans, not financial analyses. Acquisition targets must fit the business strategies of the acquiring company; other wise, the acquisition is likely to fail. The worst acquisition record of the last decades of the twentieth century was that of Peter Grace, the longtime CEP of W. R. Grace. He was a brilliant man. He set out in the 1950s to build a world-class multinational through financially-based acquisitions. He assembled the ablest group of financial analysts and had them…
International experts recorded the global Remittance market size was valued at $121.43 billion in 2025. The market is projected to grow from $132.18 billion in 2026 to $270.81 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.4 percent during the forecast period. North America dominated the global remittance market with a share of 32.27 percent in 2025. Sources recorded that the remittance industry refers to the revenue generated from the transaction fees, foreign exchange margins, and service charges paid by service providers. Growing international migration, consistent demand across borders, technological advancements, fintech innovations and increasing access to banking solutions are few…
No doubt, economists are very interested in examining the relationship between inflation and economic growth. One of the main reasons behind this is the fact that the conduct of monetary policy is largely considered to have important consequences for long-term economic growth. Economic growth and inflationary relations have been closely monitored in the economy. When Inflation reaches a peak, it curbs productivity and growth whereas a low and stable inflation rate contributes to economic growth. The high inflation rate affects the decision making of almost all economic factors such as consumers, producers, and investors due to uncertainty about the expected…
Pakistan: Credit/Loans Classified By Borrowers (Million Rupees) (Outstanding position at the end of month) (Based on ISIC 4 Classifications of Private Sector Business) Description Jun-25 Apr-26P 1. Credit to Government Sector 36,239,017 36,536,267 2. Credit to Non Government Sector (A+B) 12,933,015 13,720,208 A. SBP Credit to Non Govt. Sector 78,823 58,832 B. Scheduled Banks Credit to Non Govt. Sector (I+II+III) 12,854,192 13,661,375 I. Credit to PSEs 2,088,458 2,311,890 II. Credit to NBFIs 848,252 501,331 III. Credit to Private Sector (A+B) 9,917,482 10,848,154 A. Investment in Securities & Shares of Private Sector 246,015 206,619 B. Loans to Private Sector (1-4) 9,671,467…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market ( May 19 2026) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 197.17 201.47 Bahrain Dinar BHD 731.47 741.85 Canadian Dollar CAD 201.57 207.81 China Yuan CNY 40.05 41.15 Danish Krone DKK 43.35 43.75 Euro EUR 324.38 329.43 Hong Kong Dollar…
China shares edge up on US-Iran peace deal hopes China stock edged higher on Thursday, joining a broader rally in the region, as hopes of a U.S.-Iran peace deal lifted risk appetite, while Nvidia’s stellar earnings boosted chip shares. China’s blue-chip CSI300 index was up 0.6 percent by the lunch break, while the Shanghai Composite index was flat at 4,162.37 points. In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index was largely flat at 25,648.28. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that negotiations with Iran were in the final stage, suggesting he was prepared to wait a few days to…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD EGX30 [+] 05/19/2026 52,471.31 0.89% 0.20% 0.19% 67.34% 25.44% OMX Tallinn [+] 05/19/2026 2,103.25 -0.28% -0.29% -0.63% 3.37% 2.48% SPX Fiji [+] 05/19/2026 9,806.05 -0.08% -0.20% -0.07% 5.59% -1.01% OMX25 [+] 05/18/2026 6,333.62 0.97% 0.97% 0.66% 33.51% 12.58% GSE Ghana [+] 05/18/2026 14,321.70 0.01% 0.01% 2.12% 113.51% 63.57% HANG SENG [+] 05/18/2026 25,675.18 -1.11% -1.11% -1.85% 9.98% -0.56% BUX [+] 05/18/2026 132,046.38 0.27% 0.27% -4.88% 36.04% 18.91% ICEX [+] 05/18/2026 2,115.61 -1.37% -1.37% 0.76% -2.71% -1.77% NIFTY [+] 05/18/2026 23,649.95 0.03% 0.03% -2.89% -5.48% -9.19%…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] April 2026 3.8% 2.8% United Kingdom [+] March 2026 3.3% 0.6% Germany [+] April 2026 2.9% 2.0% France [+] December 2025 0.8% 0.8% Japan [+] March 2026 1.4% -0.3% Spain [+] April 2026 3.2% 1.6% Italy [+] March 2025 2.0% 1.2% Portugal [+] December 2025 2.2% 2.2% Greece [+] April 2026 5.4% 3.5% Ireland [+] December 2025 2.8% 2.8% Andorra [+] April 2026 4.8% 3.3% Armenia [+] April 2025 2.7% 2.5% Angola [+] April 2026 11.6% 2.3% Argentina [+] April 2026 32.4% 12.3% Austria [+] December 2025 3.8%…
Japan’s economy grows at annualized 2.1pc rate Japan’s economy grew at an annualized 2.1 percent in the first quarter of 2026, surpassing analysts’ expectations, on the back of improved consumption and strong exports. The growth was sharply higher compared with Reuters-polled analysts’ average estimate of 1.7 percent, and against the 1.3 percent in the previous quarter. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the economy expanded 0.5 percent, government data released Tuesday showed, compared with estimates of 0.4 percent, and improving from the 0.3 percent growth at the end of 2025. GDP expanded 0.6 percent, year on year. These figures do not capture…
Hong Kong hedge fund beats peers with bets on oil tankers while cutting AI A Hong Kong hedge fund that outperformed peers says shipping stocks are a better trade than artificial intelligence, given the risks of tech companies overspending. HD Capital Ltd.’s flagship fund allocated 11 percent of its portfolio in oil transport and 6.1 percent in shipbuilders as of April, making them its largest exposure. The $200 million multi-asset fund beat 97 percent of its peers this year and over a five-year period, based on industry data provider With Intelligence. “The tanker cycle could remain strong well into 2028–2029,…
Iran turns to natural gas to thwart oil shortages There are signs that the US naval blockade targeting Iranian crude oil exports is compelling Tehran to reshape its domestic energy balance. Iran appears to be redirecting larger portions of its crude and condensates into domestic refining and power generation, thereby freeing up natural gas for export to neighboring states, particularly Iraq and Turkiye. The shift marks a potentially important evolution in the Islamic Republic’s energy strategy: from maximizing crude exports to maximizing strategic regional influence through pipeline gas trade and domestic resilience. Since its inception last month, the US blockade…
Society of performing organization “By their fruits ye shall know them.” Society in all developed countries has become a society of organizations in which most, if not all, social tasks are being done in and by an organization. Organizations do not exist for their own sake. They are means: each society’s organ for the discharge of one social task. The organization’s goal is a specific contribution to individual and society. The test of its performance, unlike that of a biological organism, therefore, always lies outside itself. This means that we must know what “performance” means for this or that institution.…
Presently around the world, cars are central to the lives of millions of people. The market for cars is one of the largest for a single product, and this product represents the single largest source of oil demand, a key trend that the International Energy Agency (IEA) has tracked closely for decades. What’s more, car manufacturing is a pillar of the economy in many countries today, directly employing over 10 million people across the world – while supporting millions of additional jobs elsewhere in the supply chain, from steel and aluminum production to component manufacturing. No doubt, the automotive sector…
As per the government of Pakistan report, during July-March FY 2025, total sectoral consumption of petroleum products reached at 13.17 million metric tons (MMT), registering a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 7.04 percent compared to 12.30 MMT during the same period of FY 2024). Statistics showed that the transport sector, which remains the dominant consumer, registered a 7.99 percent increase in consumption, rising from 9.76 MMT in July-March FY 2024 to 10.54 MMT (80 percent of total demand) in the corresponding period of FY 2025. This growth is indicative of increased mobility, recovery in trade and logistics, and higher fuel demand…
Pakistan: Import Payments By Transport And Petroleum Groups (Thousand US Dollar) Commodities and Groups Mar (R) Feb (R) Mar (P) Jul-Mar FY25 FY26 FY26 FY25 (R) FY26 (P) Transport Group 196,178 369,639 243,507 1,352,117 2,621,806 1. Road Motor Vehicles 185,642 249,301 232,990 1,259,190 2,300,032 a. Completely Built Unit (CBU) 14,850 24,489 32,786 76,031 316,967 1- Buses,Trucks & Oth. Heavy Vehicle 5,088 8,299 10,190 30,368 212,658 2- Motor Cars (CBU) 9,336 15,780 22,109 43,473 99,879 3- Motor Cycles (CBU) 426 410 487 2,191 4,430 b. Completely Knock Down (CKD) 150,657 207,599 178,111 1,052,079 1,780,441 1- Buses,Trucks & Oth. Heavy Vehicle 36,287…
China, Hong Kong stocks slip Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong stock slipped on Friday, as renewed hostilities broke out between the United States and Iran, threatening a shaky ceasefire, while investors awaited next week’s meeting between top leaders of the world’s two largest economies. At the midday break, the benchmark Shanghai Composite index lost 0.43 percent, while the blue-chip CSI300 Index fell 0.9 percent. In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng Index declined 1.09 percent, while the city’s tech shares eased 1.08 percent. For the week, both SSEC and CSI300 looked set for their fifth straight weekly rise, with the…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD HANG SENG [+] 05/06/2026 26,213.78 1.22% 1.70% 4.37% 15.67% 1.53% BUX [+] 05/06/2026 135,899.33 -0.03% 1.58% 9.60% 47.84% 22.38% ICEX [+] 05/06/2026 2,147.92 1.05% 3.16% 4.96% 7.41% -0.27% NIFTY [+] 05/06/2026 24,330.95 1.24% 1.39% 5.93% -0.20% -6.57% JCI Jakarta [+] 05/06/2026 7,092.47 0.50% 1.95% 1.47% 2.82% -16.93% TA-35 [+] 05/06/2026 4,505.61 -0.44% 1.82% 6.05% 75.37% 25.04% ASE Amman [+] 05/06/2026 3,862.53 0.62% -0.54% 5.55% 52.83% 8.32% KASE [+] 11/27/2025 6,849.29 0.31% 1.96% -1.37% 25.19% 0 KSW Kuwait [+] 05/06/2026 9,433.51 0.42% -0.02% 3.26% 9.25% -0.11%…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] March 2026 3.3% 1.9% United Kingdom [+] March 2026 3.3% 0.6% Germany [+] March 2026 2.7% 1.5% France [+] December 2025 0.8% 0.8% Japan [+] March 2026 1.4% -0.3% Spain [+] April 2026 3.2% 1.6% Italy [+] March 2025 2.0% 1.2% Portugal [+] December 2025 2.2% 2.2% Greece [+] March 2026 3.9% 1.9% Ireland [+] December 2025 2.8% 2.8% Andorra [+] March 2026 4.1% 2.2% Armenia [+] April 2025 2.7% 2.5% Angola [+] March 2026 12.4% 1.8% Argentina [+] February 2026 33.1% 5.9% Austria [+] December 2025 3.8%…
Indonesian economy tops estimates to grow 5.6pc Indonesia’s economy grew 5.6 percent on an annual basis in the first quarter of 2026, the national statistics agency said Tuesday, exceeding the government’s own forecast despite pressures of the Middle East war. The reading surpassed the 5.4 percent recorded in the final three months of 2025, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) head Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti told. Household expenditure was the biggest contributor to the growth, Amalia added. The government of President Prabowo Subianto is aiming to raise the Southeast Asian economy’s growth rate from 5.1 percent last year to 8 percent by 2029, powered…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market (May 08 2026) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 200.29 207.7 Bahrain Dinar BHD 731.47 742.44 Canadian Dollar CAD 203.16 207.18 China Yuan CNY 40.05 40.3 Danish Krone DKK 43.3 43.7 Euro EUR 327.02 331.27 Hong Kong Dollar HKD…
Maritime transition means in practice? Across shipping, sustainability is no longer only an environmental issue, but increasingly a question of competitiveness, resilience, and operational readiness. The real test is no longer whether the sector wants to decarbonize, but how quickly it can move from pilot projects to large-scale deployment. One of the biggest bottlenecks presently lies in investment certainty, infrastructure readiness, and high costs of vessel retrofits. While ambitions are high, concrete decisions are often slowed by uncertainty around fuel pathways, regulation, and supporting infrastructure. Without more predictable conditions, large-scale investment remains harder to unlock. Australia bans bulker The Australian…
Turkey increased steel production by 6.4pc In March 2026, Turkey increased its steel production by 6.4 percent compared to the same month last year, reaching 3.3 million tons. This is according to data from the Turkish Steel Producers’ Association (TCUD). In the first quarter of 2026, steel production in the country rose by 5.3 percent year-on-year, reaching 9.7 million tons. Domestic consumption of finished steel products in March showed rapid growth—up 20.9 percent year-on-year, to 3.2 million tons. Overall, for January–March, this figure rose by 8.9 percent to 9.9 million tons. Steel exports in March showed moderate growth of 5…
Managing oneself: what to contribute? Successful careers are not the products of luck or planning; they are built by people who are able to seize those opportunities that match their own strengths. Now that you have identified your strengths and work style you can begin to look for the right opportunities. These are the assignments that will enable you to use your strength, match your work style, and fit within your personal value system. They are also the assignments that help you to make the right contribution. But you first have to decide what your contribution should be. Figuring out…
International experts recorded that the worldwide economy is navigating growing challenges, including policy unrest, protectionism, and fiscal pressures, which are weighing on growth. While financial markets face risks from rising borrowing costs and geopolitical tensions, opportunities through trade reforms, structural adjustments and advancements in technology still exist. According to the October 2025 World Economic Outlook, IMF predicted that worldwide GDP growth slowed from 3.3 percent in 2024, to 3.2 percent in 2025 and it will slow further to 3.1 percent in 2026. Advanced economies are projected to grow at 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies at just above…
Analyzing Consumption Patterns, Rising Imports, and the Impact of Geopolitical Risks As per the government of Pakistan report, during July-March FY 2025, total sectoral consumption of petroleum products reached at 13.17 million metric tons (MMT), registering a year-on-year rise of 7.04 percent as against to 12.30 MMT during the corresponding period of FY 2024. The data reflects varied consumption trends across dissimilar economic sectors, shaped by changes in industrial activity, power generation needs, transportation demand, and operational dynamics in public and overseas segments. The transport sector, which remains the dominant consumer, stood a 7.99 percent rise in consumption, rising from…
Insurance Association Of Pakistan Proposes Year 2025 2026 2027 2028 Life 0.900 1.1 billion 1.3 billion 1.5 billion Non-Life 0.625 0.750 billion 0.875 billion 1.0 billion Local Investor’s Portfolio Investment (Lipi) Including Insurance Companies During July-March FY2025 Details Gross Buy(Rs million) Gross Sell(Rs million) Net Buy / (Sell)(Rs million) Net Buy / (Sell)($ million) Individuals 5,007,443.25 -4,996,931.79 10,511.46 37.68 Companies 278,269.36 -263,192.69 15,076.66 54.25 Banks / DFI 265,403.71 -186,906.41 78,497.29 280.71 NBFCs 4,056.39 -3,899.31 157.08 0.56 Mutual Funds 485,810.06 -518,408.58 -32,598.52 -115.81 Other Organization 61,260.51 -63,595.66 -2,335.15 -8.41 Broker Proprietary Trading 826,141.29 -830,453.85 -4,312.56 -15.44 Insurance Companies 94,885.57 -92,549.78 2,335.79…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market (Apr 23, 2026) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 197.75 203.7 Bahrain Dinar BHD 726.65 737.55 Canadian Dollar CAD 202.85 207.75 China Yuan CNY 38.65 39.25 Danish Krone DKK 43.25 43.65 Euro EUR 326.37 331.85 Hong Kong Dollar HKD…
Indian shares fall Financials and automakers dragged Indian shares down on Thursday, as Brent crude topped $100 a barrel after Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz and peace talks showed no sign of resuming. The Nifty 50 lost 0.84 percent to 24,173.05, while the BSE Sensex shed 1.09 percent to 77,664. Brent crude rose for a fourth straight session to trade above $103 a barrel as uncertainty over Middle East peace talks lingered. Other Asian markets fell 0.4 percent. HSBC downgraded Indian equities to “underweight” from “neutral” on Thursday, citing the impact of high energy prices on…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD HANG SENG [+] 04/20/2026 26,361.07 0.77% 0.77% 4.29% 23.21% 2.10% BUX [+] 04/20/2026 136,386.25 -1.75% -1.75% 11.69% 56.65% 22.82% ICEX [+] 04/20/2026 2,094.73 -0.24% -0.24% 4.42% 3.53% -2.74% NIFTY [+] 04/20/2026 24,364.85 0.05% 0.05% 5.41% 2.15% -6.44% JCI Jakarta [+] 04/20/2026 7,594.11 -0.52% -0.52% 6.86% 17.95% -11.05% TA-35 [+] 04/20/2026 4,429.47 0.53% 0.53% 2.68% 77.85% 22.93% ASE Amman [+] 04/20/2026 3,818.40 0.39% 0.39% 3.42% 51.32% 7.08% KASE [+] 11/27/2025 6,849.29 0.31% 1.96% -1.37% 25.19% 0 KSW Kuwait [+] 04/20/2026 9,469.45 -0.54% -0.54% 4.72% 12.37% 0.27%…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] March 2026 3.3% 1.9% United Kingdom [+] February 2026 3.0% 0% Germany [+] March 2026 2.7% 1.5% France [+] December 2025 0.8% 0.8% Japan [+] February 2026 1.3% -0.7% Spain [+] March 2026 3.4% 1.1% Italy [+] March 2025 2.0% 1.2% Portugal [+] December 2025 2.2% 2.2% Greece [+] March 2026 3.9% 1.9% Ireland [+] December 2025 2.8% 2.8% Andorra [+] March 2026 4.1% 2.2% Armenia [+] April 2025 2.7% 2.5% Angola [+] March 2026 12.4% 1.8% Argentina [+] February 2026 33.1% 5.9% Austria [+] December 2025 3.8%…
Malaysia’s economy grew 5.3pc yr/yr in Q1 Malaysia’s economy grew 5.3 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier, official advance estimates showed on Friday, moderating from its pace at the end of 2025 as slowed in some key sectors. In the final quarter of 2025, gross domestic product had expanded by 6.3 percent, the fastest pace in three years, driven by higher domestic demand, exports and investments. The rise in the January-to-March period was driven by sustained growth in the manufacturing, services and construction sectors, though momentum has slowed compared to the previous quarter, the statistics department said…
Shipping interests call for unity As delegates head to London for MEPC 84 and the next round of talks on the Net Zero Framework, shipping industry heavyweights are lining up to endorse the universal authority of the IMO and the value of a single global rulebook – but as ever, opinions vary on the climate regulations at issue. The main shipowners associations – ICS, BIMCO, CLIA, Intercargo, WSC and Intertanko – say that they remain committed to the NZF, offering both input and support; the world’s top three flag registries – which represent half of all global tonnage – are…
OGDC oil production crosses 40,000 barrels per day Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) has increased its oil production to over 40,000 barrels per day for the first time in more than six and a half years, according to a statement issued by the company. The milestone follows a period of declining output from mature fields, with the company attributing the increase to technical interventions, improved reservoir management and coordination between operational and support teams. The company said the achievement reflects efforts to stabilise and enhance production levels through operational improvements and better resource management. Industry analysts view the…
Controls, control, and management The probability of an event’s being meaningful is a much more important datum than the event itself. We are rapidly acquiring great capacity to design controls in business and in other social institutions, based on a great improvement in techniques, especially the ability to process and analyze large masses of data very fast. What does this mean for “control”? Especially, what are the requirements for these greatly improved controls to give better control to management? For, in the task of a manager, controls are purely a means to an end; the end is control. If we…
International experts recorded that the worldwide aviation sector is experiencing a, rapid recovery and growth phase, with 2026 projections explaining record revenues of over $40 billion and high passenger traffic. This sector supports 3.9 percent of global GDP ($4.1 trillion) and 86.5 million career opportunities. Approximately 10 to 15 million passengers travel by airplane daily, based on estimates of around 100,000 to 115,000 daily flights worldwide. With global air traffic reaching 5 billion passengers yearly in 2024, this number includes passengers on commercial, cargo, and private aircraft. This sector related statistics showed (daily passenger cancellation numbers fluctuate) roughly 1 to…
In 2026 the Global economic growth in 2026 is projected at approximately 3.3 percent, slightly higher than the 3.2 percent forecast in the October 2025 IMF World Economic Outlook, reflecting ongoing resilience. The growth outlook for 2027 is also expected to be about 3.2 percent. This positive revision is supported by increased investment in technology, accommodative monetary and fiscal policies, and the adaptability of the private sector, which have offset some trade policy uncertainties. Advanced economies such as the United States and the European Union are forecasted to expand by about 2.2 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively, while emerging markets…
PSL: Most Individual Appearances (As of 22 February 2026) Rank Player Team(s) Years active Appearances Runs Wkts 1 Imad Wasim IU, KK, 2016–present 101 1,293 77 2 Babar Azam PZ, KK, IU 2016–present 100 3,792 – 3 Fakhar Zaman LQ 2017–present 97 2,964 2 4 Rilee Rossouw QG, MS 2017–present 95 2,287 – 5 Shadab Khan IU 2017–present 94 1,413 105 6 Mohammad Rizwan MS, KK, LQ 2016–present 93 2,770 – 7 Shoaib Malik KK, MS, PZ, QG 2016–2025 93 2,350 17 8 Hasan Ali KK, IU, PZ 2016–present 92 309 125 9 Asif Ali LQ, IU, PZ 2018–present 91…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market (Apr 01 2026) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 189.97 197 Bahrain Dinar BHD 732 743.15 Canadian Dollar CAD 198.38 204.15 China Yuan CNY 36.65 37.6 Danish Krone DKK 43.25 43.65 Euro EUR 322.13 329.51 Hong Kong Dollar HKD…
A short review: global stock exchange investments in tension As of March-April 2026, international experts recorded that the Israel-US war on Iran has caused significant volatility in worldwide stock markets, leading to an estimated $3.2 trillion loss in worldwide equity value within 96 hours of the conflict’s start. The war triggered sharp sell-offs, mainly in Middle Eastern markets like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The conflict caused an immediate $3.2 trillion loss in global equity value, driven by a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Statistics show that UAE stock markets (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) lost almost $1.2 billion in value…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD CROBEX [+] 03/25/2026 3,901.57 1.01% -0.64% -3.77% 16.83% 2.06% CSE [+] 03/24/2026 263.71 -0.74% 0.33% -8.56% 15.66% -4.31% PX [+] 03/25/2026 2,537.85 1.62% -0.09% -5.36% 19.92% -5.03% OMXC20 [+] 03/25/2026 1,369.15 0.22% 0.70% -3.74% -27.12% -15.21% EGX30 [+] 03/25/2026 47,464.96 1.14% -0.31% -3.16% 49.44% 13.47% OMX Tallinn [+] 03/25/2026 2,066.96 0.06% -0.15% -1.15% 13.02% 0.72% SPX Fiji [+] 03/25/2026 9,743.32 0 0.24% -0.72% 6.82% -1.65% OMX25 [+] 03/25/2026 5,930.66 1.31% 1.60% -3.37% 25.53% 5.42% GSE Ghana [+] 03/24/2026 15,316.66 -2.39% -2.39% 29.74% 150.02% 74.94% HANG…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] February 2026 2.4% 0.8% United Kingdom [+] February 2026 3.0% 0% Germany [+] February 2026 1.9% 0.3% France [+] December 2025 0.8% 0.8% Japan [+] February 2026 1.3% -0.7% Spain [+] February 2026 2.3% 0% Italy [+] March 2025 2.0% 1.2% Portugal [+] December 2025 2.2% 2.2% Greece [+] February 2026 2.7% -0.7% Ireland [+] December 2025 2.8% 2.8% Andorra [+] February 2026 3.1% 0.1% Armenia [+] April 2025 2.7% 2.5% Angola [+] February 2026 13.4% 1.2% Argentina [+] February 2026 33.1% 5.9% Austria [+] December 2025 3.8%…
Indian economy: war situation in gulf starts severe negative impact The war situation in the Gulf has started having a severe negative impact on the Indian economy. According to the sources, the foreign investors are withdrawing capital from Indian bonds and the stock market at a record pace. It is said that since the start of the war, investors have withdrawn a total of $12.14 billion from India. Furthermore, due to the Gulf tension, there is a risk of further increase in inflation in India due to the increase in oil prices in the global market. Economy: decoding china’s ‘new…
Russian oil tanker begins discharging cargo in Cuba’s Matanzas Terminal A Russian-flagged tanker carrying some 700,000 barrels of crude docked in Cuba’s Matanzas oil terminal on Tuesday, shipping data showed, marking the first significant oil delivery to the island since President Donald Trump’s administration cut off its fuel supply. The Anatoly Kolodkin vessel, under U.S. sanctions, entered Cuban territorial waters late on Sunday not far from the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, despite U.S. restrictions on oil supplies to Cuba, including from Russia. The U.S. said it was allowing the tanker to deliver the crude oil for humanitarian reasons.…
Gas discovery in Egypt’s western desert A new natural gas discovery in Egypt’s Western Desert has been announced, with initial tests indicating output of about 26 million cubic feet a day of gas and 2,700 barrels a day of condensate. US energy firm Apache Corp. reported the find, made with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corp. after drilling the SKAL-1X exploratory well in the South Kalabsha area, according to a statement from the north African country’s petroleum ministry. The find reflects the impact of incentives and procedures introduced by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, which have encouraged Apache to…
Harmonize the immediate long-range future A manager must, so to speak, keep his nose to the grindstone while lifting his eyes to the hills-quite an acrobat feat. A manager has two specific tasks. The first is creation of a true whole that is larger than the sum of its parts, a productive e more than the sum of the resources put into it. The second specific task of the manager is to harmonize in every decision and actions the requirements of the immediate and of the long-range future. A manager cannot sacrifice either without endangering the enterprise. If a manager…
Global trade recovery and shifting import patterns offer opportunities for Pakistan’s economy According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), imports into Pakistan during January 2026 amounted to Rs 1,629,640 million (provisional), compared with Rs 1,707,035 million in December 2025 and Rs 1,635,355 million in January 2025. This represents a decline of 4.53 percent over December 2025 and a marginal decrease of 0.35 percent compared with January 2025. In US dollar terms, imports in January 2026 totalled $5,813 million (provisional), down from $6,081 million in December 2025, a drop of 4.41 percent, and slightly lower than $5,869 million recorded in…
Investing in technology, skills and infrastructure is crucial to boost Pakistan textile exports The global textile market continues to demonstrate remarkable growth and resilience. Experts recorded that the market was valued at USD 1,065.45 billion in 2025, and it is projected to expand from USD 1,065.45 billion in 2026 to USD 1,955.50 billion by 2034, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.11 percent during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the market in 2025, holding a 44.17 percent share, driven by its large-scale production capacity and competitive cost structure. Textile products include flexible materials derived from natural and…
BISP Financial and Physical Achievements (Rs billion) Year Budget Estimates Cash Transfer Number of Beneficiaries (million) Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) Total (UCT+CCT) 2019-20 243.71 3.70 228.67 232.37 9.10 2020-21 194.29 5.57 169.40 174.97 7.06 2021-22 235.63 25.35 193.74 219.09 7.76 2022-23 412.33 61.24 332.91 394.15 9.00 2023-24 471.68 94.38 360.17 454.55 9.30 2024-25 598.72 57.17 328.47 385.64 9.87 Total 2,944.07 276.09 2,331.72 2,607.81 – Pakistan: Workers’ Remittances (Mn US $) Country Dec-2025R Jan-2026 Country Dec-2025R Jan-2026 Cash 3,592.4 3,464.5 9. Switzerland 7.4 4.8 1. USA 301.7 294.7 10.Australia 114.9 109.7 2. U.K. 559.7 572.1 11.Canada 70.9…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Open Market (10/3/2026) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 194.42 198 Bahrain Dinar BHD 731.15 741.7 Canadian Dollar CAD 202.24 206.25 China Yuan CNY 36.5 37.75 Danish Krone DKK 43.32 43.72 Euro EUR 324.74 328.05 Hong Kong Dollar HKD 34.83 35.83 Indian Rupee INR 2.4 2.85…
South Korean shares rebound 6.5pc South Korean shares climbed more than 6 percent on Tuesday, rebounding from a sharp selloff in the previous session, as traders reacted after US President Donald Trump suggested the US-Israeli war on Iran could be nearing an end. The benchmark KOSPI was up 342.72 points, or 6.53 percent, at 5,594.59, as of 0153 GMT, after closing 5.96 percent lower on Monday. Earlier in the session, a sidecar trading curb was activated in the index, after futures rose more than 5 percent, halting programme trading for five minutes. Wall Street close higher on Monday, notching a…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD EGX30 [+] 03/09/2026 46,708.49 -0.14% -0.14% -7.13% 50.93% 11.67% OMX Tallinn [+] 03/09/2026 2,080.85 -0.28% -0.28% 0.75% 10.77% 1.39% SPX Fiji [+] 03/09/2026 9,726.03 0.00% 0.00% -0.92% 6.54% -1.82% OMX25 [+] 03/06/2026 5,945.02 -0.52% -3.29% 0.41% 23.51% 5.67% GSE Ghana [+] 03/05/2026 14,273.08 1.91% 11.02% 57.69% 137.43% 63.02% HANG SENG [+] 03/09/2026 25,398.00 -1.39% -1.39% -6.03% 4.81% -1.63% BUX [+] 03/06/2026 121,885.96 -2.61% -3.67% -6.26% 36.58% 9.76% ICEX [+] 03/06/2026 2,186.72 -0.46% -1.26% -4.21% -3.81% 1.53% NIFTY [+] 03/06/2026 24,450.45 -1.27% -2.89% -4.84% 8.45% -6.11%…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] January 2026 2.4% 0.4% United Kingdom [+] January 2026 3.0% -0.4% Germany [+] January 2026 2.1% 0.1% France [+] December 2025 0.8% 0.8% Japan [+] January 2026 1.5% -0.1% Spain [+] February 2026 2.3% 0% Italy [+] March 2025 2.0% 1.2% Portugal [+] December 2025 2.2% 2.2% Greece [+] January 2026 2.5% -0.8% Ireland [+] December 2025 2.8% 2.8% Andorra [+] January 2026 2.6% -0.4% Armenia [+] April 2025 2.7% 2.5% Angola [+] January 2026 14.6% 0.7% Argentina [+] January 2026 32.4% 2.9% Austria [+] December 2025 3.8%…
Malaysia sets up gig economy commission Malaysia has established the Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGIM) to strengthen governance of the country’s gig economy ecosystem ahead of the enforcement of the Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 872). In a media statement, the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) said it welcomes the government’s decision to set up SEGIM as the main coordinating body to coordinate and strengthen the gig sector. The move comes as Act 872 is scheduled to come into full force on 31 March 2026. At this stage, SEGIM will focus on gig workers operating through digital platforms. However, the…
Washington: $20 billion maritime reinsurance facility The Trump administration on Friday unveiled a $20 billion maritime reinsurance facility aimed at restoring confidence in commercial shipping through the Persian Gulf, moving to operationalize a federal insurance backstop proposed earlier this week as missile and drone attacks and insurance withdrawals triggered a collapse in vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The plan, announced by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation in coordination with the United States Department of the Treasury, would provide reinsurance coverage—including war risk—for vessels operating in the Gulf region during the escalating conflict with Iran. According to officials,…
Oil soars past $100 a barrel Oil prices have surged past $100 a barrel amid the fallout from the United States and Israel’s war on Iran. Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose by more than 30 percent on Sunday, at one point topping $119 a barrel, as fears grew of prolonged disruption to global energy supplies. The surge marked the first time oil rose above $100 per barrel since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Oil prices dropped back to about $110 per barrel after The Financial Times reported that the Group of Seven finance ministers would discuss the release of…
A social ecologist For me the tension between the need for continuity and the need for innovation and change was central to society and civilization. I consider myself a “social ecologist,” concerned with man’s man-made environment the way the natural ecologist studies the biological environment. The term “social ecology” is my own coinage. But the discipline itself boasts and old and distinguished lineage. Its greatest document is Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America. But no one is as close to me in temperament, concepts, and approach as the mid-Victorian Englishman Walter Bagehot. Living (as I have) in an age of…
Inflows of overseas workers’ earnings reached $3.46 billion, up 15.4pc YoY International experts recorded that the global remittance market was valued at USD 121.43 billion in 2025. It is projected to grow from USD 132.18 billion in 2026 to USD 270.81 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.4 percent during the forecast period. North America dominated the global market with a 32.27 percent share in 2025. Users increasingly prefer digital payment transactions over cash-based or agent-driven transfers. Digital platforms, including portals, mobile apps, and digital wallets, are gaining traction due to low fees, transparent pricing, and convenience. Rising smartphone…
Balancing innovation, regulation and resilience in Pakistan’s rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape In an era defined by relentless technological acceleration, cybersecurity risks in 2026 are intensifying, driven by rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), deepening geopolitical fragmentation, and increasingly complex global supply chains. AI is no longer a peripheral tool; it is fundamentally transforming security operations worldwide. The Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 notes that AI is reshaping detection, triage and response capabilities, while automating labour-intensive tasks such as log analysis and compliance reporting. Its capacity to process vast datasets at speed and identify hidden patterns gives organisations a decisive competitive…
Pakistan: Workers’ Remittances (Million Us Dollars) Country Aug-25 Sep-25 Oct-25 Nov-25 Dec-25R Jan-26 Cash 3,138.2 3,184.1 3,419.6 3,188.3 3,592.4 3,464.5 1 USA 267.3 269.0 301.4 277.0 301.7 294.7 2 U.K. 463.4 454.8 498.8 480.7 559.7 572.1 3 Saudi Arabia 736.7 751.0 837.7 753.0 813.1 739.6 4 U.A.E. 642.9 677.1 703.3 675.0 725.8 694.2 Dubai 436.7 510.9 553.4 567.0 565.4 544.7 Abu Dhabi 180.0 142.1 123.2 89.8 130.1 126.1 Sharjah 12.4 10.8 10.7 5.9 12.8 9.8 Others 13.8 13.3 16.0 12.4 17.5 13.5 5 Other GCC Countries 303.9 299.7 345.9 298.9 333.2 329.3 Bahrain 43.1 40.9 48.3 42.7 50.5 47.4 Kuwait…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market (Feb 26, 2026) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 197.4 201.05 Bahrain Dinar BHD 742.02 751.52 Canadian Dollar CAD 203.4 206.9 China Yuan CNY 38.25 39.3 Danish Krone DKK 43.32 43.72 Euro EUR 329.92 334.44 Hong Kong Dollar HKD…
Australian shares cross 9,200 level Australian shares crossed the 9,200 level for the first time on Thursday, lifted by strong gains in miners and healthcare stocks, as investors focused on upbeat corporate earnings rather than inflation jitters. The S&P/ASX 200 index rose 0.5 percent to 9,171.80, as of 2345 GMT, after hitting a record high of 9,202.90 earlier in the session. Miners jumped 1.7 percent to a record high, tracking two-week high copper prices, which gained on the back of growth and demand optimism. Heavyweights BHP rose 3.2 percent to a fresh peak, while Rio Tinto rose around 3 percent.…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD HANG SENG [+] 02/25/2026 26,717.50 0.48% 1.15% 3.48% 15.99% 3.48% BUX [+] 02/24/2026 124,714.69 -1.83% -0.81% 12.31% 43.95% 12.31% ICEX [+] 02/24/2026 2,211.13 -0.10% -0.58% 2.67% -6.54% 2.67% NIFTY [+] 02/24/2026 25,424.65 -1.12% -0.57% -2.37% 12.73% -2.37% JCI Jakarta [+] 02/25/2026 8,332.54 0.62% 0.73% -2.41% 26.50% -2.41% TA-35 [+] 02/24/2026 4,169.00 -1.75% -1.49% 15.70% 69.22% 15.70% ASE Amman [+] 02/25/2026 3,599.22 -0.16% -0.82% 0.94% 38.37% 0.94% KASE [+] 11/27/2025 6,849.29 0.31% 1.96% -1.37% 25.19% 0 KSW Kuwait [+] 02/24/2026 9,155.77 -0.86% -0.45% -3.11% 5.32% -3.05%…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] January 2026 2.4% 0.4% United Kingdom [+] January 2026 3.0% -0.4% Germany [+] January 2026 2.1% 0.1% France [+] December 2025 0.8% 0.8% Japan [+] January 2026 1.5% -0.1% Spain [+] December 2025 2.9% 2.9% Italy [+] March 2025 2.0% 1.2% Portugal [+] December 2025 2.2% 2.2% Greece [+] January 2026 2.5% -0.8% Ireland [+] December 2025 2.8% 2.8% Andorra [+] January 2026 2.6% -0.4% Armenia [+] April 2025 2.7% 2.5% Angola [+] January 2026 14.6% 0.7% Argentina [+] January 2026 32.4% 2.9% Austria [+] December 2025 3.8%…
India expected to overtake Germany Despite downturns and stagnation, Germany remains the world’s third largest economy for the third year running, according to a new study. But India is expected to jump ahead by the end of the decade. Although we’ve heard doom and gloom about Germany’s faltering economy of late, it’s still ranks among the world’s largest. With a gross domestic product (GDP) totalling around $5.1 trillion in 2025, Germany maintains its third place in the list of the world’s largest economies, according to a recent study by the German Economic Institute (IW). The US leads the ranking with…
West coast gateway ports hold ground The nation’s two busiest container ports posted double-digit declines in January cargo volumes, but industry leaders say the dip reflects comparison against historic highs rather than structural weakness—even as Supreme Court intervention and rapid-fire tariff policy shifts inject fresh uncertainty into trans-Pacific trade lanes. The Port of Long Beach moved 847,765 TEUs last month, down 11 percent year-over-year but still marking the facility’s second-busiest January on record. Sister port Los Angeles handled 812,000 TEUs, a 12 percent decline from the prior year’s elevated volumes. Both gateways are comparing against January 2025, when importers frontloaded…
Canada’s coal output drops 5pc mom in Nov Canada’s production of coal for all uses reached 3.33 million tonnes in November last year, down 5 percent on month but up 2.7 percent on year, according to the latest data published on February 24 by Statistics Canada. Bituminous coal – including coal for steelmaking and power generation – made up the majority of the output. Its volume reached 2.88 million tonnes in November, down 3.9 percent on month but up 1.4 percent on year. The agency doesn’t reveal production of other coal types, Mysteel Global notes. China and India spending more…
The transnational company Successful transnational companies see themselves as separate, non national entities. Most companies doing international business today are still organized as traditional multinationals. But the transformation into transnational companies has begun, and it is moving fast. The products or services may be the same, but the structure is fundamentally different. In a transnational company there is only one economic unit, the world. Selling, servicing, research, finance, marketing, pricing, and management are conducted in contemplation of the world market. One of America’s leading engineering companies, for instance, makes one critical part for al its forty-three plants worldwide in one…
Shariah-compliant banking grows steadily, expanding access, ethical finance, and innovative products nationwide According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Islamic banking industry in Pakistan maintained its robust growth momentum during the third quarter of 2025, further reinforcing its position within the financial landscape. Since its inception in the early 2000s, Islamic banking has seen significant expansion, operating under Shariah principles that prohibit interest (riba) and promote ethical financial practices. Islamic Banking In Pakistan: Profitability Ratios (%) Particulars Sep-24 Jun-25 Sep-25 Overall Banking Industry Profit before tax (PKR billion) 381.0 210.7 305.0 1207.0 ROA before tax 5.4 3.6 3.4…
Strong exports boost foreign exchange, balance of payments and economic stability nationwide. Experts in various economic reports have consistently highlighted that exports are vital for Pakistan’s economic progress and development, as they serve as a primary source of foreign exchange earnings. By increasing exports, the country can strengthen its balance of payments (BOP), which is essential for maintaining economic stability and sustaining growth. Pakistan Exports S.No. Commodities %Change for value in million Rupees inJanuary,2026 over December, 2025 January,2025 1 Readymade garments 21.60 10.17 2 Knitwear 14.99 -8.12 3 Bed wear 39.15 7.38 4 Basmati Rice 434.81 157.63 5 Rice others…
Pakistan: Advances Classified By Securities/ Borrowers (Outstanding Amount in Billion Rs.) Security/ Borrower January-2026P Foreign Banks Private Sector Banks Public Sector Banks Specialized Banks All Banks 1. Foreign Constituents – 0.4 0.3 – 0.7 2. Domestic Constituents 428.1 10,816.3 2,663.8 154.5 14,062.7 I. Government 374.6 796.1 301.9 – 1,472.6 II. Non-Financial Public Sector Enterprises (NFPSE) – 1,437.5 498.4 – 1,935.9 III. Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) – 389.3 40.9 – 430.2 IV. Private Sector (Business) 53.2 7,083.3 1,531.7 151.3 8,819.5 i. Gold Bullion, Gold, And Silver Ornaments, Precious Metals – 12.5 117.1 – 129.6 ii. Securities, Shares And Other Financial Instruments…
Market indicators are a series of technical indicators used by traders to predict the direction of the major financial indexes. Most market indicators are created by analyzing the number of companies that have reached new highs relative to the number that created new lows, also known as market breadth. FINANCIAL MARKET IN PAKISTAN Pakistan: Currency Rate As Per Open Market (Feb 18 2026) Currency Symbol Buying Selling Australian Dollar AUD 196.35 201 Bahrain Dinar BHD 742.02 751.52 Canadian Dollar CAD 203.91 207.44 China Yuan CNY 38 39.85 Danish Krone DKK 43.32 43.72 Euro EUR 331.24 334.98 Hong Kong Dollar HKD…
Asia shares rise Asian stock pushed higher on Wednesday despite the renewed artificial intelligence worries gripping international markets, while oil prices were under pressure after Iran touted progress in nuclear negotiations with the United States. The New Zealand dollar sank after the central bank said monetary policy needs to remain accommodative for some time to support the economic recovery. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.93 percent to 57,090.14, poised to snap a three-day skid, while Australia’s S&P/ASX200 was up 0.5 percent. Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korean were among markets closed for Lunar New Year holidays.…
Stock Market Indexes Details Date Level Ch. This Week ch. Mon. ch. Ann. ch. YTD EGX30 [+] 02/17/2026 51,809.69 0.61% -0.95% 19.52% 70.22% 23.86% OMX Tallinn [+] 02/17/2026 2,073.96 -0.26% -0.06% -0.26% 8.09% 1.06% SPX Fiji [+] 02/17/2026 9,813.90 -0.10% -0.10% 0.10% 8.52% -0.93% OMX25 [+] 02/16/2026 5,958.20 0.37% 0.37% 5.91% 26.51% 5.91% GSE Ghana [+] 02/16/2026 10,530.31 2.63% 2.63% 20.27% 96.78% 20.27% HANG SENG [+] 02/16/2026 26,705.94 -0.06% -0.06% 3.44% 18.06% 3.44% BUX [+] 02/16/2026 124,389.48 -2.03% -2.03% 12.02% 42.09% 12.02% ICEX [+] 02/16/2026 2,235.43 -0.31% -0.31% 3.79% -8.60% 3.79% NIFTY [+] 02/16/2026 25,682.75 0.83% 0.83% -1.38% 12.01% -1.38%…
CPI Countries Countries Date CPI Interannual Accum. since January United States [+] January 2026 2.4% 0.4% United Kingdom [+] December 2025 3.4% 3.3% Germany [+] January 2026 2.1% 0.1% France [+] December 2025 0.8% 0.8% Japan [+] December 2025 2.1% 2.1% Spain [+] December 2025 2.9% 2.9% Italy [+] March 2025 2.0% 1.2% Portugal [+] December 2025 2.2% 2.2% Greece [+] January 2026 2.5% -0.8% Ireland [+] December 2025 2.8% 2.8% Andorra [+] December 2025 2.7% 2.7% Armenia [+] April 2025 2.7% 2.5% Angola [+] January 2026 14.6% 0.7% Argentina [+] January 2026 32.4% 2.9% Austria [+] December 2025…
Japan’s economy avoids technical recession Japan’s economy grew 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the previous three months, narrowly avoiding a technical recession. While it was a reversal of the 0.7 percent contraction in the third quarter, the gross domestic product missed expectations of a 0.4 percent expansion by economists polled by Reuters. A technical recession is commonly defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction. On an annualized basis, output rose 0.2 percent, compared with forecasts of 1.6 percent, following a 2.3 percent decline in the previous quarter. Compared with a year earlier, fourth-quarter GDP expanded…
NATO and its Greenland defense plans NATO is to conduct a series of integrated exercises to test and exercise plans for the defense of the High North and Greenland. A keynote of the plans is the engagement of numerous NATO nations but also use of NATO command and control structures. British involvement in the plan was announced by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the Munich Security Conference last week. The United Kingdom will deploy a Royal Navy carrier strike group (CSG) led by HMS Prince of Wales (R09) supported by Type 45 destroyer HMS Dragon (D35), a frigate,…
Global sugar production Experts estimate for global sugar production is up by 1.3 million tons since their previous update. They now think that global sugar production will hit 186.7 million tons in 2025/26. The increase in production is mainly driven by improved output in China, Indonesia and the EU. They now expect China’s sugar production to reach 12 million tons, up from 11.7 million tons, as favourable weather in Guangxi and Yunnan has improved yields. However, mills are currently selling cane at a loss. While the government-set cane price continues to support farmer returns, weaker mill profitability could reduce future…
Eliminating cost centers Would the roof cave in if we stopped doing this work altogether? No matter how well a business prevents cost inflation, it will still have to cut costs. This is because businesses are like people, and people often get sick no matter how carefully they exercise, control their diet, and avoid substance abuse. There is thus always the need for cost cutting. To start cost cutting, management usually asks: “How can we make this operation more efficient?” it is the wrong question. The question should be: “Would the roof cave in if e stopped doing this work…
PRISM upgrades and branchless banking accelerate secure, efficient, and inclusive retail payment systems in Pakistan According to the latest State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) report, Banks and Microfinance Banks (MFBs) remain the backbone of the retail payments ecosystem, providing the core infrastructure for a wide range of transactions, including fund transfers and settlements, card-based payments, mobile and internet banking, cash management, cheque clearing, and the issuance of instruments such as pay orders and demand drafts. Complementing this formal banking network, Branchless Banking (BB) operators extend financial services through extensive agent and micro-merchant networks, enabling access in both urban areas and…
Addressing unemployment requires a strategy that promotes industrial growth, exports, investment, education and skill development According to the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s latest report on employment prospects for this year, the global unemployment rate is projected to remain at a historically low level of 4.9 per cent in 2026, while the total number of unemployed people is expected to reach 186 million. Around 284 million workers worldwide continue to live in extreme poverty—on less than $3 a day — and more than two billion workers remain engaged in informal employment. Looking beyond unemployment figures, the broader global jobs gap—capturing individuals…