Pakistan's Punjab govt has tabled legislation that could see rates as high as 45%. Agricultural income tax hikes among measures prescribed to raise revenue under $7bn IMF bailout deal.
Investors perceive SBP’s signals of potential rate cuts as a green light for increased borrowing and spending, which could stimulate economic activity.
In 2023, Pakistan was grappling with the risk of debt default, unprecedented inflation, record-high yields on government bills, and political instability. But 2024 is all set to be a happy new year.
The currency has lost about 6% of its value against the dollar in the first three weeks of Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s tenure, as he faces economic challenges and IMF terms.
IMF executive board is scheduled to meet on 12 July to approve $3 billion SBA with Pakistan. But there are doubts whether this will stave off default, or just push issue to 2024.
Sharif's govt is hoping to persuade the IMF to unlock at least some of the $2.5 billion left in a $6.5 billion programme that Pakistan entered in 2019.
In all, 16 people have been killed in chaos at charity distributions especially during Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, a time for giving and spiritual reflection.
Indians see West Asia as one uninterrupted wash of Islam, but the reality is more complex. For the Druze, support from Israel—where they are a recognised minority—is now critical.
Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.
India-Russia JV is also racing to deliver 7,000 more AK-203 assault rifles by 15 Aug. These are currently being made with 50% indigenisation and this will surge to 100% by 31 December.
Public, loud, upfront, filled with impropriety and high praise sometimes laced with insults. This is what we call Trumplomacy. But the larger objective is the same: American supremacy.
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