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The government plans to provide massive subsidies to a range of industries in budget year 2024.

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Subsidies of 1,190 billion rupees (about $1.50 billion) are being considered for use in Pakistan to fund projects in the power sector, agricultural tube wells in Balochistan, and the electricity tariff differential, among others.

Pakistan Energy Revolving Fund received 48 billion rupees, K-Electric 174 billion, Azad Kashmir Tariff Differential 108 billion, and FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) areas 62 billion rupees in government subsidies.

Noteworthy to this point is the announcement of’significant’ relief for government employees, with salary increases of up to 25% made by Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, the federal minister for Finance and Revenue.

On the floor of the National Assembly, the minister of finance presented the budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. He announced that the government intended to increase pay by 25% for employees in grades 1–16 and by 20% for employees in grades 17–22.

The minister of finance also recommended a 15% hike to pensions for the elderly in the budget. Workers now get a minimum of 37,000 rupees per month, up from 32,000 rupees before.

In spite of budget cuts, Muhammad Aurangzaib remarked, the administration has recognized the problems its workers are experiencing and is working to find solutions.

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Irfan Siddiqui meets with the PM and informs him about the Senate performance of the parliamentary party.

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The head of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Standing Committee and the PML-N’s parliamentary leader paid Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif a visit in Islamabad.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Parliamentary Party’s Senate performance.

Additionally, Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs’ performance.

He complimented the Prime Minister on his outstanding efforts to bring Pakistan’s economy back on track and meet its economic objectives.

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SIFC Increases Direct Foreign Investment: Investment in the Energy Sector Rises by 120%

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The Special Investment Facilitation Council is intended to help Pakistan’s energy sector attract $585.6 million in direct foreign investment in 2024–2025. The amount invested at the same time previous year was $266.3 million.

This is a notable 120% rise, mostly due to investments in gas exploration, oil, and power. Such expansion indicates heightened investor confidence and emphasizes the development potential in important areas.

The State Bank reports that foreign investment in other vital industries has increased by 48% to $771 million.

This advancement is a blatant testament to SIFC’s efficient investment procedure and quick project execution.

The purpose of the Special Investment Facilitation Council is to establish Pakistan as an investment hub by aggressively promoting regional trade and investment in the energy sector and other critical industries.

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Discos report losses of Rs239 billion.

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When compared to the same period last year, the data indicates that discos have decreased their losses in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

The distribution businesses recorded losses of Rs239 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year, a substantial decrease from the Rs308 billion losses sustained during the same period the previous year.

Additionally, the distribution businesses’ rate of recovery has improved. It has increased to 91% in the first quarter of this year from 84% in the same period last year, indicating success in revenue collection.

Regarding circular debt, the Power division observed a notable change. Last year, between July and October, the circular debt grew by Rs301 billion. Nonetheless, this year’s first four months saw a relatively modest increase in circular debt, totaling about Rs11 billion.

These enhancements show promising developments in the electricity sector’s financial health in Pakistan, where initiatives are being made to accelerate recovery rates and slow the expansion of circular debt.

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