WASHINGTON – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that the world’s 20 largest economies will grow by just 2.9% by 2030, marking their weakest medium-term outlook since the 2009 global financial crisis. The IMF cited protectionism, policy uncertainty, and fiscal pressures as key factors constraining growth. Read More: IMF warns corruption threatens Pakistan’s economic stability […]
Inflation
Sugar prices spike well above government limit
ISLAMABAD – Sugar prices have skyrocketed in violation of the government’s agreement with mill owners, raising concerns over regulatory enforcement and consumer protection. The surge comes despite an official cap on pricing set earlier this year. According to documents, the government and sugar mill owners had agreed to a maximum sugar price of Rs 171 […]
Sugar prices surge to 229 PKR per kg across Pakistan
Sugar prices in Pakistan have surged, reaching a maximum of 229 PKR per kilogram in Quetta. Statistics show that last year, the average price was 132.24 PKR per kilogram. The recent spike has pushed Quetta residents to pay the highest rates in the country. In the past week, Quetta saw an increase of 19 PKR […]
PSX extends losses for third week amid economic headwinds
KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its downward trajectory for the third consecutive week, as foreign corporates and mutual funds opted for profit-taking in a bearish market environment. Persistent macroeconomic pressures — including rising inflation, a widening trade deficit, and sluggish domestic demand — weighed heavily on investor confidence. Despite the overall decline, the […]
Trump refocuses on affordability to win over concerned voters
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is shifting his messaging strategy to highlight affordability and combat voter concerns about the rising cost of living. The approach emphasizes new tax breaks, progress on inflation, and recent deals to reduce prescription drug prices, aiming to appeal to voters who cited economic issues as their top priority in recent […]
Weekly inflation drops 0.59% as SPI records slight decline
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s weekly inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), fell by 0.59 percent for the combined consumption group during the week ending November 6, 2025, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The SPI dropped to 333.55 points from 335.53 points the previous week, while showing a year-on-year increase of 4.18 […]
Pakistan’s trade deficit widens 38% to $12.58 billion in four months
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s trade deficit widened by more than 38 percent during the first four months of the 2025-26 fiscal year, highlighting growing economic pressures as exports continue to decline. According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the trade deficit between July and October 2025 stood at $12.58 billion, compared to […]
Global commodity prices to hit six-year low by 2026: World Bank
ISLAMABAD — Global commodity prices are expected to fall to their lowest level in six years by 2026, marking the fourth consecutive annual decline, according to the latest Commodity Markets Outlook released by the World Bank. The report projects a seven per cent drop in prices in both 2025 and 2026, driven by weak global […]
Weekly inflation rises slightly by 0.12%: PBS
ISLAMABAD — The weekly inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), increased by 0.12 percent for the combined consumption group during the week ended October 30, 2025, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The SPI for the week was recorded at 335.53 points, compared to 335.14 points in the previous week. On a […]
The Inflation Hangover
The world is living through an inflation hangover that refuses to fade. Prices have eased from the post-pandemic highs, yet the disinflation story keeps stalling because global policy itself has become the new shock. The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook projects global growth at about 3.2 per cent in 2025 and 3.1 per cent in […]