Author: Faiza Liaquat
Pakistan has officially launched its first-ever National Dredging and Marine Services (NDMS) company, a groundbreaking move set to transform the country’s maritime capabilities and port infrastructure. The initiative is backed by a strategic alliance between key stakeholders, including the Port Qasim Authority, Karachi Port Trust, Gwadar Port Authority, and the National Logistics Corporation (NLC). This newly established, state-supported entity will offer Pakistan a much-needed in-house solution for dredging and marine services an area that has long been dependent on costly foreign contractors and infrequent service cycles. Ending Dependence on Foreign Dredging Contractors For decades, Pakistan’s seaports have relied on international…
In a remarkable show of support from overseas Pakistanis, remittance inflows surged to a record-breaking $38.3 billion in FY25, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan. This marks a 27% increase compared to $30.3 billion in FY24 — a difference of $8 billion, showcasing the resilience of Pakistanis abroad during economically challenging times. The month of June 2025 alone saw remittances of $3.406 billion, up 8% from June 2024, although slightly down from May 2025. Country-wise, Saudi Arabia remained the top contributor for the full fiscal year, sending $9.345 billion, followed by the UAE ($7.869 billion), the…
Pakistan’s U18 men’s hockey team has blazed through the group stage of the Asia Cup 2025, securing four consecutive victories, scoring 25 goals, and conceding just four, to finish top of Pool A. With dominant wins over Hong Kong China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and hosts China, the young Greenshirts now face Malaysia in the semi-final on July 11, in what promises to be a thrilling, high-stakes battle. This flawless campaign marks a bold resurgence for Pakistan’s hockey future and rekindles hopes for continental glory at the grassroots level.
The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has unveiled a transformative Rs. 364 billion budget for education in fiscal year 2025–26. Announced by Education Minister Faisal Tarakai, the plan targets tech upgrades, school infrastructure, and access to quality learning for all. Key highlights include: The government’s strategy also promises full classroom furniture for every school by year-end, reinforcing its push toward an inclusive, digitally empowered education system. This initiative reflects KP’s ambition to not only modernize public schooling but also raise educational standards across rural and underserved areas.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) has achieved a historic milestone as its CA and CAF qualifications are now globally recognized by Ecctis UK, an international authority for benchmarking educational credentials. This accreditation confirms the rigor and quality of Pakistan’s accountancy education and elevates the Chartered Accountant (CA) designation to the ranks of internationally respected credentials. Students and professionals can now benefit from enhanced global mobility, recognition, and credibility in their careers. ICAP’s progress marks a significant step in aligning Pakistan with global financial and educational standards, and this development is expected to encourage more international opportunities, partnerships,…
In a major global endorsement, Northern Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region has been featured in the Financial Times’ “50 Holidays to Take in 2025” list marking a proud moment for Pakistan’s tourism industry. The recognition celebrates the region’s towering mountain beauty, revived tourism infrastructure, and growing international accessibility, including free online visas for over 120 countries and increasing flight operations to Skardu and Gilgit. Adventure travel operator Wild Frontiers, a UK-based company that began offering tours in Pakistan in 1998, is now offering a 14-day immersive trip through the valleys and peaks of Hunza and Baltistan complete with six days of trekking…
In a major fiscal move, Pakistan has announced the early retirement of PKR 500 billion in sovereign debt owed to the State Bank of Pakistan, originally set to mature in 2029. This comes just months after a historic PKR 1 trillion market debt buyback in December 2024 bringing total early repayments in FY25 to PKR 1.5 trillion. Officials report significant economic gains: Pakistan’s debt-to-GDP ratio has declined to 69%, the average maturity of public debt has increased to 3.75 years, and interest cost savings are estimated at PKR 830 billion this fiscal year. Economic advisor Khurram Schehzad called it “a decisive and disciplined strategy”…
The Pakistan Cricket Board has made a landmark decision to commit Rs 6 billion toward stadium upgrades across its top three venues Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, National Stadium in Karachi, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium within its overall Rs 18 billion annual budget. According to senior journalist Saleem Khaliq, this investment is aimed at delivering modern seating, enhanced amenities, and up-to-date infrastructure to meet both ICC requirements and rising expectations among matchgoers. Beyond temporary fixes, this marks a shift toward long-term facility resilience, placing Pakistan’s stadiums on par with global standards. As the PCB prepares for a packed schedule involving domestic tournaments, PSL 2025, and…
Pakistan’s national Tekken team will face Saudi Arabia in a 7v7 offline nation battle in Riyadh. With Arslan Ash expected to lead, the match showcases Pakistan’s growing global presence in competitive Esports and fighting games. Pakistan’s national Tekken team is set to face Saudi Arabia in a 7v7 offline nation battle a prestigious event highlighting the country’s growth in global Esports and fighting game dominance. Leading the squad is expected to be Arslan Ash, a multiple-time EVO champion and a global icon in the Tekken scene. Saudi Arabia, now a recognized Esports powerhouse, boasts world-class talent and state-supported infrastructure. This…
The KSE-100 Index posted a 60.15% return in FY25, outpacing gold, T-Bills, and all other asset classes. Experts cite improved liquidity, rate cuts, and sectoral growth as key drivers behind Pakistan’s top-performing investment avenue. Pakistan’s KSE-100 Index closed the fiscal year 2025 as the best-performing asset class, boasting an impressive return of 60.15%. The rally surpassed gold (45%) and other traditional investment avenues such as treasury bills (21.4%) and bank deposits (12.6%). According to Arif Habib Limited, the market’s stellar performance was driven by aggressive monetary easing, improved liquidity, and revaluation of undervalued sectors. These trends renewed investor interest and…