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NEWSWorld Bank flags Middle East conflict as top risk to Pakistan's economy
The World Bank warns a prolonged Middle East conflict could raise Pakistan's energy import bill, widen the current account deficit and strain foreign exchange reserves.
NEWSPakistan envoy seeks shift from counterterrorism to IT ties with US
Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh told a Washington tech forum Pakistan wants its US relationship to move from counterterrorism to information technology, as 16 Pakistani firms sought partnerships.
MARKETSNikkei falls 1.71% as Wall Street tech selloff bites
Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 1.71% to 61,832.66, tracking a tech-led Wall Street decline in which Nvidia fell about 4% and Meta dropped 7% after earnings.
- MARKETS
Bitcoin dominance hits 60% as altcoins slide and ETF flows stay volatile
Bitcoin's share of the crypto market has reached its highest level since May, with traders retreating to the largest token as smaller coins fall and ETF inflows remain inconsistent.
- NEWS
Utexo opens early access to platform for USDT on Bitcoin ahead of 28 November launch
Utexo has opened Utexo Mint, a sandbox for exchanges, wallets and market makers to test minting and redeeming USDT on Bitcoin via RGB, with a public launch set for 28 November.
- NEWS
Anthropic IPO stands alone as AI market jitters sideline others
Anthropic's IPO is reported to be standing alone as jitters in the AI market sideline other listings, according to a report on the IPO landscape.
NEWSIMF forecasts 1.3% contraction in Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan
The IMF expects output across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan to shrink 1.3% this year on war-related energy and shipping disruption, before rebounding to 6.6% growth in 2027.
POLICY & REGULATIONCentral Bank of Ireland fines Coinbase unit €3.25m over safeguarding failures
Coinbase Ireland was penalised for underfunding customer safeguarding accounts and relying excessively on its US parent, the regulator said. Coinbase says it self-reported the issues and no customer lost funds.
NEWSWorld Bank flags AI exposure for 61% of Pakistan's service-sector workers
A World Bank report finds 61 percent of Pakistan's service-sector workers hold occupations with above-median AI exposure, with wholesale and retail trade the key sector for the labour-market transition.
NEWSAurangzeb says twin deficit fell to 2.6% of GDP as tax reforms widen
Pakistan's finance minister told an IMF-backed tax workshop that the twin deficit has fallen from 12.5% to 2.6% of GDP and the tax-to-GDP ratio has risen to 10.3%, as the government pushes enforcement-led revenue reform.
POLICY & REGULATIONIMF's Azour urges fairer tax system as Pakistan's tax base stays narrow
IMF Regional Director Jihad Azour called for a more neutral, fairer tax system to lift compliance, even as real estate, agriculture and retail contributions stay small under the programme.
POLICY & REGULATIONTariff policy is working, but GST is now the real barrier, analyst says
Pakistan's National Tariff Policy 2025-30 has cut import-based revenue's share of tax receipts below 40%, but an analyst argues high GST, not customs duty, now disadvantages formal industry.
OPINIONLong marches cost Pakistan about Rs120 billion a day, economist estimates
An international economist puts the daily output loss from nationwide disruption at approximately Rs120 billion, with mobile internet shutdowns cutting digital exports by up to 80% during outages.
OPINIONSolar is our saviour, capacity charge our drain
A petroleum engineer argues that solar has been the biggest saviour for Pakistan's economy while capacity charges drain it, and urges renegotiation of power purchase agreements.
NEWSPakistan's balance of payments swings to $4.39bn deficit in September
State Bank of Pakistan data show the overall balance of payments moved to a $4.39 billion deficit in September from $118 million in August, as the current account gap widened and the quarterly goods trade deficit grew 21.1%.
NEWSBIS paper links higher deposit rates to slower stablecoin growth
A Bank for International Settlements working paper finds that small rises in bank deposit rates predict slower growth in stablecoin market capitalisation, with a stronger effect for USDC than USDT.
- FEATURES
Pakistan’s $100 Billion Agriculture Ambition: Transforming Farming Into an Engine of Economic Growth
Pakistan's agriculture could add far more to growth, jobs and exports through modern farming, efficient water use, value-added processing and better market access. A $100 billion ambition can guide that shift only if it is clearly defined, costed and measured.
NEWSPakistan seeks OPEC Fund financing for M-6 motorway
Finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb discussed M-6 motorway financing, a pending loan agreement and ML-1 railway priorities with the OPEC Fund in Bangkok, alongside talks with Moody's and the ITFC.
OPINIONAnalyst defends Pakistan equity case after eight months of KSE-100 consolidation
An independent analyst argues the KSE-100's pullback from above 180,000 is consolidation after a rapid re-rating, and that earnings, exports and reform must now catch up.
MARKETSRupee set to rally as RBI tightens foreign-exchange rules
Traders expect the rupee to strengthen about 1% to 95.60-95.90 per dollar after the RBI barred rebooking of cancelled FX derivative contracts and required banks to set aside 20% cash on some hedges.
