The costs of doing business in Pakistan is around 34 per cent higher than in comparable regional economies, creating a serious competitiveness challenge for local industry, the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) said on Thursday. Read More: Pakistan’s weak tax system costs Rs3.4tr: IMF In a statement, the forum warned that elevated operating costs had significantly weakened the ability […]
Exports
IT exports hit record $437m in December
Pakistan achieved its highest-ever monthly information technology (IT) export figure in December 2025, reaching $437 million and marking a 26 per cent year-on-year increase. The surge reflects growing external demand for Pakistani software and IT-enabled services, particularly from the Gulf region. Read More: Digital boom: Pakistan’s IT exports hit record $1.8bn During July to December of fiscal […]
Pakistan pushes for self-reliance with local production and exports
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is focusing on self-reliance by promoting local production, indigenisation, and exports oriented industries to reduce reliance on imports and conserve foreign exchange. Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb urged multinational companies to adjust business models, highlighting that some firms are already using local raw materials to cut costs. Experts note that increasing domestic consumption of […]
Pakistan urged to modernise agriculture for growth and exports
ISLAMABAD: Experts have called for a major shift in Pakistan’s agricultural policy to boost productivity, diversify crops, and enhance exports. Historically, the focus has been on improving crop yields through better seeds, fertilisers, pest control, and extension services. While these measures raised yields modestly, Pakistan’s growth in agricultural output has lagged behind population growth, leaving […]
Pakistan’s currency stability seen as economic illusion
Economic analysts say Pakistan’s chronic reliance on an artificially managed exchange rate has repeatedly undermined export competitiveness and contributed to recurring balance-of-payments crises, despite short-term gains in political optics and price stability. Read More: Economic growth drops to 3% in Pakistan In a commentary published on Sunday, former corporate executive and economic observer Ehsan Malik argued that […]
China posts $1.2 trillion trade surplus despite US tariffs
China recorded a historic trade surplus of $1.2 trillion in 2025, demonstrating resilience despite ongoing trade tensions with the United States. The figure marks a 20 percent year-on-year increase, underscoring the country’s growing export strength amid a challenging global economic environment. Read More: China vows to counter Trump’s Iran tariffs Exports to the U.S., previously China’s largest […]
Centre allows kinnow, potato exports on Punjab CM’s recommendation
Owing to the special efforts of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the federal government has allowed farmers in Punjab to export kinnow and potatoes through alternative routes. On the directions of the chief minister Punjab, the provincial government had approached the federal authorities for the formation of a high-level committee to facilitate exports of […]
Pakistan growing reliance on diaspora remittances raises concerns
ISLAMABAD: Remittances from overseas Pakistanis reached a record $38.3 billion in FY25, rising more than 26 percent from the previous year, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. While these inflows have bolstered foreign exchange reserves and household consumption, experts warn that excessive dependence on remittances poses long-term economic and social risks. Read More: Remittances […]
KP business leaders warn of heavy losses from prolonged Afghan border closure
Business leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have sounded the alarm over the prolonged border closure of Pakistan’s trade routes with Afghanistan, warning that the disruption has caused massive economic losses at both regional and national levels. Trade crossings have remained largely shuttered for more than three months, severely affecting exports, commerce, transportation and government revenue. […]
Panel proposes urgent reforms to boost exports and avoid future IMF loans
A panel appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recommended urgent reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and sharply increasing exports, in a bid to avert another International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme once the current arrangement ends in 2027. The committee, led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, warned that Pakistan’s current economic […]