Breaking News

Islamabad – Major manufacturing and export-oriented sectors in Pakistan have strongly disputed the government’s assertions of recovery in large-scale manufacturing (LSM), cautioning that industrial activities are still contracting due to skyrocketing energy costs, sluggish demand, and burdensome taxation.Industry representatives report that over 150 industrial units have shuttered in the past 18 months, with surviving factories running at merely 50% of capacity. The textile industry, Pakistan’s top export earner, is in severe distress. All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) Chairman Kamran Arshad revealed that approximately 144-150 textile mills have closed, citing exorbitant gas and electricity rates, elevated interest rates, excessive taxes, and delayed refunds. These closures have slashed production, hampered exports, and led to widespread job losses. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/nine-day-transporters-strike-cripples-pakistan-industries-billions-lost-daily/ The steel sector faces a similar downturn. Leaders highlight a drastic hike in per-ton taxation—from around Rs10,300 in 2019 to Rs37,000-42,000 in recent years—which has crushed demand, halved consumption, and paradoxically reduced government revenues by nearly 50%. Scrap imports have plummeted, lowering electricity usage and inflating capacity payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Informal producers are flooding the market with low-quality steel, exacerbating issues.In contrast, Bangladesh, with comparable capacity, produces far more steel (6.5 million tons vs Pakistan’s 3.8 million) through supportive policies like lower VAT, higher import protections, reduced corporate taxes, and affordable energy. Pakistani steel experts urge policy alignment to revive the sector, potentially boosting electricity consumption to 7 billion kWh annually and saving Rs60-70 billion in IPP payments.Critics also condemn reduced tariff protections without tackling smuggling, tax evasion, and exemptions in former FATA/PATA regions, risking the collapse of local manufacturing.Agriculture shows weakness too, with cotton output estimated at 6.85 million bales (down 3.3%), rice declining 3.2%, and maize 6.7%. Cement dispatches in November 2025 fell 3.47% year-on-year to 4.14 million tons, despite a 11.54% rise in the first five months of FY2025-26.Without urgent reforms, industry warns of irreversible damage to jobs, revenues, and self-reliance.

Pakistan’s stock market kicked off the week on a powerful note, with the KSE-100 Index extending its bullish run on December 15, 2025, reflecting renewed investor confidence and improving macroeconomic signals. By mid-session, the benchmark index was trading at 170,960.91 points, up 1,096.39 points, marking a 0.65% gain from the previous close. During intraday trading, the index touched a high of 171,000.37 points, highlighting strong buying interest across multiple sectors. What’s Driving the Market Rally? The current momentum at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) is being powered by a convergence of positive developments: IMF Loan Approval Boosts Investor Confidence The International Monetary Fund’s approval of a major financial assistance package has significantly improved market sentiment. Investors view the move as a strong vote of confidence in Pakistan’s economic reform agenda and fiscal discipline. Stable Foreign Reserves and External Support Continued backing from traditional international partners, coupled with stable foreign exchange reserves, has helped ease concerns over balance-of-payments pressures. the rally is not limited to a few heavyweight stocks but is supported by wider market confidence. Top Performing Stocks Today Among the leading gainers on the KSE-100 Index were:• Maple Leaf Cement (MLCF): +4.99%• International Steels (ISL): +4.79%• Service Industries (SRVI): +4.46%• Tariq Glass Industries (TGL): +4.25%• Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGP): +3.26% These stocks benefited from strong sector-specific demand and improving earnings expectations. Stocks Under Pressure Despite the overall positive tone, a few names traded in the red:• KAPCO: -3.19%• Lotte Chemical Pakistan: -2.45%• Nishat Mills (NML): -1.21%• Kohinoor Textile Mills (KTML): -1.12%• Dawood Hercules Pakistan (DHPL): -0.75% Analysts attribute the declines to profit-taking and stock-specific factors rather than broader market weakness. Outlook: Can the Rally Continue? With macroeconomic stability improving, IMF backing in place, rising remittances, and solid domestic demand, market participants remain cautiously optimistic about further upside in the KSE-100 Index. If these supportive factors persist, the market may continue testing new highs in the near term.

In a major boost to regional trade and food-security collaboration, Pakistan and Tajikistan are preparing to sign a landmark agreement that could reshape their bilateral economic relationship. Tajikistan has expressed a strong interest in importing 100,000 tons of meat from Pakistan, a deal valued at over $50 million, marking one of the most significant agricultural trade developments between the two countries in recent years. This breakthrough emerged during a high-level meeting in Islamabad between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan Yusuf Sharifzoda. A Strategic Partnership Built on Food Security and Economic Growth: During the meeting, Minister Rana Tanveer warmly welcomed Ambassador Yusuf and reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-term commitment to strengthening agricultural ties in Central Asia. Tajikistan, seeking reliable partners to secure its growing food needs, highlighted a strong interest in expanding agricultural imports from Pakistan, particularly meat and livestock products known for their quality and competitive pricing. The Minister assured full facilitation, emphasizing that Pakistan is ready to supply:• High-quality meat• Livestock products• Agro-commodities• Processed and value-added food items Pakistan’s growing agricultural capacity, combined with Tajikistan’s expanding market, makes this partnership timely and mutually beneficial. Beyond Trade: Culture, Diplomacy, and People-to-People Connectivity: In a gesture that reflects the vibrant relationship between the two nations, Ambassador Yusuf invited the Minister to attend Tajikistan’s Cultural Week beginning on 18 December. Minister Rana Tanveer appreciated the invitation and stressed the importance of deepening cooperation not only in trade but also across cultural, academic, and economic fronts. Agriculture: A Natural Bridge Between Pakistan and Tajikistan: Tajikistan, an agrarian economy known for cotton, wheat, and a wide range of fruits including apricots, apples, cherries, and pomegranates, offers numerous avenues for collaboration with Pakistan. Both sides identified potential partnerships in:• Horticulture• Crop improvement• Pest management• Agricultural research and innovation• Climate-resilient farming The two nations acknowledged that current trade volumes fall far short of potential. For example: • Pakistan produces 1.8 million tons of mangoes annually, but exported only 0.7 metric tons to Tajikistan in 2024.• Pakistan’s rice exports to Tajikistan were only 240 metric tons in 2022 despite being one of the world’s top rice producers. Pakistan’s primary import from Tajikistan remains ginned cotton, pointing to a trade relationship with room to grow. Removing Barriers for a Stronger Future: Both countries agreed to address technical and logistical constraints holding back trade expansion. Discussions focused on: • Establishing pest-free agricultural zones• Strengthening compliance with global food-safety standards• Enhancing laboratory testing and phytosanitary capacity• Improving cross-border logistics• Promoting scientific exchange between research institutions These steps align with the shared goal of building a modern, sustainable, and secure agricultural ecosystem. A Milestone in Pakistan–Tajikistan Relations: The upcoming agreement for large-scale meat exports marks more than a commercial milestone, it reflects a shared vision for robust economic, cultural, and agricultural integration between Pakistan and Central Asia. As the region looks to strengthen food security and foster strategic partnerships, the Pakistan–Tajikistan relationship is emerging as a powerful example of forward-focused cooperation. This deal has the potential to: • Boost Pakistan’s meat export industry• Enhance Tajikistan’s food security• Open doors for broader agricultural trade• Set the foundation for long-term regional collaboration With both governments aligned and momentum building, the next decade could see Pakistan and Tajikistan becoming key partners in the global agri-food landscape.