Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) teams has conducted raids on three entities linked with the out-of-home media advertising market in Lahore. The raids were carried out as part of an inquiry into alleged cartelization, price fixing, and coordinated bid decisions in the sector. Out-of-home (OOH) advertising includes billboards, pole streamers, bus shelters, digital screens, vehicle branding, and other public-space displays. The sector involves multiple agencies and vendors, and any collective fixing of prices, commissions, or bid decisions can distort competition and increase advertising costs. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/competition-commission-of-pakistan-cracks-down-on-sugar-mills-for-price-fixing-cartel-in-punjab/ The raids, including those carried out at two industry associations and an advertising agency, were part of an ongoing inquiry into alleged cartelization in the advertising sector. The inquiry was launched after a complaint by an advertising agency, which alleged that the association formed a cartel to fix agency commissions and took collective decisions on bids. The association was also accused of blacklisting agencies and vendors that did not comply with its terms and conditions. Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2010 prohibits associations of undertakings from making collective decisions on prices and other business terms. CCP teams collected evidence indicating potential violations of this provision. After the investigation is completed, the findings will be placed before the Commission, and if cartelization is established, show cause notices will be issued to the concerned undertakings. Chairman CCP Dr. Kabir Sidhu said that while industry associations serve useful functions for industrial development, they must remain cautious in meetings and ensure that no anticompetitive discussions take place.

Islamabad – In a significant step to reduce the crippling circular debt in Pakistan’s energy sector, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) announced on Thursday that it has received Rs41.8 billion from Uch Power (Private) Limited. The payment, disclosed through a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), forms part of a broader government initiative to clear outstanding receivables plaguing the power producers and exploration companies.Sources told Business Recorder that the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guaranteed (CPPA-G) is facilitating a total payment of Rs89.5 billion to OGDCL on behalf of Uch Power Limited and Uch-II Power through the circular debt financing facility. Notably, the amount will be disbursed as a lump sum instead of the originally planned 18 equal monthly instalments, providing immediate liquidity relief to the state-owned explorer. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/pakistans-energy-boost-ogdc-uncovers-major-hydrocarbon-haul-in-nashpa-block-eyes-2-8-mmcfd-output/ The transaction stems from a summary titled “Rationalisation of Late Payment Interest and Potential Reduction for Nuclear Power Plants” (covering Chashma-1 to 4, K-2 and K-3), which was approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet.The accelerated settlement aligns with structural reforms being driven by a high-level Task Force constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on August 4, 2024. The Task Force is mandated to identify and implement far-reaching changes across generation, transmission, distribution, and governance to permanently curb the circular debt, which currently exceeds Rs2.6 trillion.Market analysts welcomed the development, stating that timely cash flows to OGDCL will strengthen its balance sheet, support ongoing exploration activities, and reduce pressure on the fiscal deficit. Shares of OGDCL closed 1.8% higher on the PSX following the announcement.

Karachi: Sri Lanka has taken another confident step toward strengthening its presence in the Pakistani travel market, as Sri Lanka Tourism concluded a vibrant and highly engaging B2B Roadshow and Networking Evening in Karachi. The event marked a major milestone in the island nation’s ongoing efforts to deepen tourism, trade, and cultural ties with Pakistan. Organized by the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism in collaboration with the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Karachi and SriLankan Airlines, the roadshow reaffirmed Pakistan’s position as one of Sri Lanka’s most valuable and fast-growing source markets. Positioning Sri Lanka as a Year-Round Destination for Pakistani Travelers The event set out with a clear message: Sri Lanka is open fully, confidently, and enthusiastically for leisure, business, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) tourism. From pristine beaches and cultural heritage to nature, adventure, wellness travel, and premium corporate experiences, Sri Lanka is aiming to capture the attention of Pakistani travelers across all segments. The Karachi roadshow highlighted: • Sri Lanka’s year-round tourism appeal• Its versatile experience offerings for leisure and business• The country’s strong resilience and sustainable tourism revival• The warm hospitality and close proximity that make Sri Lanka a top choice for Pakistani visitors A Strong B2B Turnout and High-Value Networking A delegation of leading Sri Lankan destination management companies participated in the event, engaging directly with Pakistan’s travel and tourism sector. More than 75 travel agents, industry leaders, and tourism stakeholders attended, making it one of the most successful Sri Lanka-focused tourism engagements in Pakistan in recent years. The result?Productive B2B conversations, new partnerships, and renewed confidence in Sri Lanka as a high-potential travel destination for Pakistani tourists. Rising Tourism From Pakistan: A Market on the Move Tourist arrivals from Pakistan to Sri Lanka are steadily increasing, with 20,701 Pakistani visitors recorded in 2025. Several factors are fueling this rise:• Improved air connectivity• Simplified visa processes• A resurgence in outbound leisure and business travel• Convenience of eight weekly SriLankan Airlines flights, four from Karachi and four from Lahore to Colombo This growing accessibility has positioned Sri Lanka as a competitive and easily reachable destination for Pakistani families, honeymooners, adventurers, and corporate travelers. Cultural Performances and Media Engagements Add Vibrance A Sri Lankan traditional dance troupe brought color and cultural energy to the evening, giving Karachi’s travel community a glimpse of the island’s rich heritage. Parallel media briefings with top Pakistani outlets amplified Sri Lanka’s tourism message, expanding public awareness and reinforcing its renewed tourism momentum. Mr. Sanjeewa PattiwilaConsul General of Sri Lanka in KarachiHe highlighted the centuries-old ties between both nations—cultural, religious, and historical—and invited Pakistani travelers to explore Sri Lanka’s natural beauty, warmth, and diversity. He also expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s humanitarian assistance following Cyclone Ditwah in November 2025. Mr. Dheera HettiarachchiChairman, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB)He emphasized Sri Lanka’s comprehensive offerings for both leisure and MICE tourism, reaffirming Pakistan as a priority market and underscoring SLCB’s efforts to support business and incentive travel groups. Mr. Ruwan WijekoonManager Pakistan, SriLankan AirlinesHe reiterated the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and revealed attractive airfares designed specifically for holidaymakers. He expressed strong optimism about the rising interest in leisure, cultural, and corporate travel from Pakistan. Why Pakistan Matters to Sri Lanka Tourism Pakistan is emerging as a rapidly expanding outbound market where travelers are increasingly seeking authentic, meaningful, and value-driven travel experiences. Sri Lanka, with its: • pristine beaches• cultural heritage• wildlife and nature• adventure and wellness• business and MICE facilitiesis ideally positioned to meet this demand. Looking Ahead: A New Chapter in Pakistan–Sri Lanka Tourism Relations The Karachi Roadshow not only strengthened tourism opportunities but also deepened the bond of friendship between the two countries. It created new avenues for collaboration, trade growth, and future tourism development. As Sri Lanka continues to rebuild and expand its global footprint, Pakistan stands firmly among its most promising partners opening doors to shared growth and a new era of tourism excellence.

Islamabad: Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC), Pakistan’s flagship energy explorer, has announced a groundbreaking hydrocarbon discovery in the Nashpa Block, hailed as the largest oil-producing block in the country. The find, from the exploratory well Bargazai-X01, promises to significantly bolster national reserves and counter the depleting output from the aging Nashpa oil field. Drilled to a target depth of 5.81 meters, the Bargazai-X01 well struck hydrocarbons at 5.17 meters—above expectations—and is undergoing additional testing to confirm further potential. This discovery underscores OGDC’s commitment to unlocking untapped resources amid Pakistan’s growing energy demands. Industry analysts project that full field development in the Bargazai area could arrest the Nashpa field’s decline and elevate OGDC’s overall reserves by a meaningful margin. “This is a game-changer for Pakistan’s upstream sector,” said an OGDC spokesperson. “The Nashpa Block has long been a cornerstone of our production, and this new find positions us to sustain and expand output for decades.” Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/reko-diq-safe-despite-barrick-restructuring-talks-ogdcl-tells-investorsnovember-25-2025/ Financial projections for the discovery paint an optimistic picture, based on current market benchmarks. With crude oil priced at $62 per barrel and natural gas at $5.50 per million British thermal units (MMBTU), the realized crude price stands at $58 per barrel. At an exchange rate of 281 PKR/USD, initial gas production estimates of 2.80 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) could generate substantial revenues. Under a projected sharing model—65% to OGDC and 30% to Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL)—net revenues are forecasted at 7.539 PKR million for OGDC and 2.053 PKR million for PPL in the initial phase. Net income projections follow suit, with OGDC at 3.016 PKR million and PPL at 0.821 PKR million, translating to combined earnings per share (EPS) impacts of 0.70 PKR for OGDC and 0.19 PKR for PPL. The discovery arrives at a pivotal time for Pakistan’s energy landscape, where domestic production struggles to keep pace with consumption. Nashpa, operational since 2010, has been a vital contributor to OGDC’s portfolio, accounting for a significant share of the company’s 40,000+ barrels of oil equivalent per day output. Experts believe this find could enhance energy security, reduce import reliance, and stimulate economic growth through job creation and technology transfer. Shares of OGDC and PPL saw modest gains in early trading on the Pakistan Stock Exchange following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in the sector’s revival. As testing progresses, further updates on commercial viability and development timelines are anticipated in the coming months. This breakthrough aligns with Pakistan’s broader push for sustainable energy exploration, including incentives under the Pakistan Onshore Petroleum Policy. For OGDC, it reinforces its status as the nation’s leading explorer, with a track record of over 200 discoveries since 1961.

ISLAMABAD: As part of its ongoing Lecture Series on Competition Law, the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) hosted a special session featuring Air Marshal Javaid Ahmed, HI (M) (Retd), President Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS), and Dr. Usman W. Chohan, Advisor CASS, on the theme “Role of Aviation Industry in Economic Affairs and National Development.” CASS is Pakistan’s premier centre for strategic research on aerospace, emerging technologies, security, and national policy. Welcoming the speakers, CCP Chairman Dr. Kabir Sidhu said that regulatory frameworks across major sectors in Pakistan remain outdated and require urgent modernization to meet the demands of rapidly evolving markets. He highlighted that CCP’s Centre of Excellence is conducting in-depth sectoral studies to identify regulatory gaps, market inefficiencies, and provide evidence-based recommendations for reforms. The Centre has completed studies in over fifteen key sectors, including LNG, Power, sugar, Insurance, Fertilizer, Road Infrastructure, and Gold. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/pm-promises-live-tv-coverage-for-pia-privatization-bids-on-december-23/ Air Marshal Javaid Ahmed (Retd) delivered a comprehensive lecture on the dynamics of the global and domestic aviation industry. He cautioned that Pakistan’s aviation sector needs urgent modernization to unlock its potential in tourism, cargo movement, technology development, skilled employment, and national security, as highlighted under the Significance of Aviation Industry framework in his presentation. He outlined Pakistan’s aviation challenges, including high operational costs, weak governance structures, security constraints, sectoral inefficiencies, limited private sector participation, and shortage of skilled workforce. Highlighting opportunities, he expressed that Pakistan possesses strong aeronautical capabilities and will “soon be able to manufacture a passenger aircraft,” given its advanced fighter aircraft ecosystem. He also briefed the audience about the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP), a multi-site initiative equipped with high-end laboratories in AI, avionics, cyber, robotics, composites, and satellite technologies. NASTP aims to build Pakistan’s first integrated aerospace ecosystem, expand dual-use technologies, and position the country as a regional innovation hub. Dr. Usman W. Chohan presented key economic indicators, noting that aviation contributes $5.6 billion to Pakistan’s GDP (1.7%), supports 684,000 jobs, and generated 22 million passengers in 2023, a figure expected to rise under the National Aviation Policy 2023. He underlined that Pakistan’s flight market revenue is projected to grow from $6.04B in 2025 to $8.17B by 2030, with users rising to 48.5 million. He emphasized aviation’s critical role in trade, connectivity, tourism, and broader economic competitiveness. The session concluded with an engaging question-and-answer discussion, attended by senior officials, researchers of the CCP, and industry stakeholders.

Karachi: Automechanika Dubai 2025 is in full swing at the Dubai World Trade Centre, and this year’s edition is shaping up to be one of the strongest so far. The event has brought together manufacturers, technology innovators and automotive experts from across the globe. More than 2,300 exhibitors from over 60 countries are participating, with 20 national pavilions representing Pakistan, Germany, India, Türkiye, China, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan and several others. These pavilions provide visitors with the opportunity to explore offerings from different countries and compare products, technologies and prices all under one roof. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/imc-proposes-maintaining-40-tariff-difference-in-upcoming-auto-policy/ For the 2025 edition, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is supporting 10 leading Pakistani companies at the Pakistan Pavilion, including Ghauri Tyres & Tubes, Multi Tech Engineering, Super Horn, Thermosole Industries, Rastgar Engineering, Sanpak Engineering, Darson Industries, United Auto Industries and Diamond Tyres. In addition, Panther Tyres Limited, Pakistan Accumulators Limited and Atlas Battery Limited are participating independently, further highlighting Pakistan’s strong presence at this year’s show. The connections being formed at Automechanika Dubai 2025 are expected to translate into long-term partnerships and new trade opportunities. For Pakistani businesses, the event is proving to be a valuable platform for identifying competitive suppliers and preparing for the future of mobility.

The Pakistan Stock Exchange opened Wednesday’s session on a strong note, delivering another milestone moment for investors. The benchmark KSE-100 Index crossed the 170,000 level in early trade, an achievement fueled by renewed market confidence following the IMF’s latest approval for Pakistan’s next loan disbursement. With greater clarity on the economic front and improved liquidity expectations, investors kicked off the morning with aggressive buying across multiple sectors. Early Session Momentum: Market Takes Off Strong: By 9:50 AM, the KSE-100 was trading at 170,164.63, up 708.25 points (0.42%).The index stayed firmly in the green throughout the early session, touching: • Intraday High: 170,241.72• Intraday Low: 169,806.32 Trading activity was robust, with volumes reaching 40.44 million shares on the KSE-100 alone. Among the 100 benchmark companies:• 75 stocks were trading higher• 15 were in the red• 6 remained unchanged• 4 had yet to trade Top Movers: ISL Hits Upper Circuit as Bulls Dominate: A number of stocks stole the spotlight: Top Gainers• ISL surged 10%, hitting its upper limit• INIL gained 5.84%• DHPL climbed 5.60%• JVDC rose 3.13%• PKGP advanced 3.02% Top Decliners• PSEL led the downside with a 1.88% drop• Minor pressure came from THALL, SRVI, PAEL, and PAKT Despite a few laggards, the overall sentiment remained firmly bullish. Index Support: Key Contributors Driving the Rally: Major positive contributors included:• FFC• ISL• HUBC• DHPL• LUCKOn the other hand, stocks like PSEL, SYS, THALL, DGKC and PAEL offered mild downward pressure, though not enough to offset the broader rally. Sector Snapshot: Banks, Fertilizer & Cement Lead the Charge: Strength in the market was led by:• Commercial Banks• Fertilizer• Investment Companies & Securities• Engineering• Cement Sectors showing mild weakness included:• Miscellaneous• Automobile Parts & Accessories• Cable & Electrical Goods• Tobacco• Sugar & Allied Industries However, their negative impact remained minimal. Broader Market: All-Share Index Also Rises: The optimism wasn’t limited to the benchmark index. The All-Share Index climbed to:• 102,892.33, up 413.76 points (0.40%) Total market volume soared to 139.25 million shares in early trade. Top Volume Leaders:• BML – 33.7M+ shares• KEL• BOP• TPLP• QUICE• ASL• BNL• HUMNL• TPL• PIAHCLA A Stellar Year for PSX: Double-Digit Gains Continue: The PSX has already delivered a remarkable performance this fiscal year:• FY-to-date gain: 44,537 points (35.45%)• Calendar-year gain: 55,038 points (47.81%) With improving macroeconomic indicators and the latest IMF confirmation, investor confidence appears to be gaining fresh momentum, setting the tone for what could be another strong trading day at the Pakistan Stock Exchange.

Pakistan’s stock market is enjoying a remarkable resurgence and the momentum is spilling over into what could become one of the busiest years for initial public offerings (IPOs) in over a decade. With investor confidence climbing and economic indicators showing signs of stability, several companies are now preparing to tap into the market to raise fresh capital and scale their operations. The renewed optimism across the Pakistan Stock Exchange is encouraging a diverse group of businesses from consumer goods and pharmaceuticals to automotive and commodity startups to plan public listings in the coming months. A New IPO Wave Begins: Companies Ready to Go Public: Market leaders, including Arif Habib, confirm that multiple companies have already initiated their IPO processes, hoping to ride the wave of strong market sentiment. Among the most anticipated listings is Service Long March Tyres Ltd., a high-profile joint venture between Servis Group and China’s Chaoyang Long March. The company is aiming to raise up to Rs6.5 billion ($23.2 million) by April to expand its tyre manufacturing capacity. Other promising entrants include: • Saraaf, a fast-growing commodity sourcing startup that attracted Rs1.5 billion ($5.4 million) in funding on Shark Tank Pakistan in 2024• Matco Foods Ltd., which is preparing to spin off its rapidly expanding Falak Foods unit through a separate IPO These listings reflect a clear trend: Pakistani companies are increasingly looking to public markets to scale operations, boost production, and diversify revenue streams. Investment Banks Gear Up for a Busy Season: Pakistan’s leading investment banks are deeply involved in this emerging IPO pipeline. • Arif Habib Ltd. and Ktrade Securities Ltd. together are managing up to 16 potential offerings expected to hit the market within the next seven months.• JS Global Capital Ltd. is also preparing to list as many as six companies during the same period. The scale of involvement from major financial institutions signals strong institutional confidence in the country’s economic direction. Why Market Conditions Are Favorable for IPOs Right Now: Shahid Ali Habib, CEO of Arif Habib, notes that current market valuations are highly attractive for equity raising. The combination of a more stable Pakistani rupee and a supportive interest-rate environment is creating ideal conditions for companies planning to go public. These macroeconomic factors are boosting investor sentiment, making it easier for businesses to raise the capital needed for expansion. A Turning Point for Pakistan’s Capital Markets: The surge in IPO activity is more than just a financial trend, it reflects a broader shift in economic confidence. Businesses, investors, and financial institutions are increasingly aligned in their belief that Pakistan’s economy is entering a new phase of recovery and opportunity. If current momentum continues, 2025 could become a defining year for Pakistan’s capital markets, with increased listings, higher retail participation, and renewed global investor interest. For investors and entrepreneurs alike, Pakistan’s IPO landscape is becoming one of the most exciting spaces to watch in the region.