Why does Pakistan fail to overcome the vicious cycle of circular debt?

The federal government and the independent power producer have apparently locked horns over the government’s payment plan as independent power producers (IPPs) have reportedly rejected payment plan offered by the federal government and demanded at least 50pc upfront cash payments before signing the formal agreements for tariff discounts

Seth Abid: Pakistan’s ‘pious’ smuggler, mythmaker, and the last of the outlaws

Gold smuggler, real estate developer, and philanthropist, the man was part of the Pakistani imagination for well over half a century

Despite a pandemic, Pakistani startups had their best year yet with over $65 million in funding

The coronavirus pandemic may have actually helped some startups, particularly as the fintech space in Pakistan continues to grow

Beware of the central bank bearing negative real interest rates

The State Bank is keeping rates low to try to stimulate the economy, but how much of the recent growth can be attributed to low rates? And what impact do negative real rates have on the banking system?

Pakistani drug companies rarely bring innovative products to market. Ferozsons broke the mould

The company’s partnership with Gilead Sciences has resulted in better products available to the Pakistani market, and a substantially better financial performance for the company itself

Five years on, K-Electric transaction still pending clearance of Islamabad’s absurd demands

Finance Ministry refuses to give approval for the deal, resulting in now a five-year delay for the transaction

Two and a half years after applying, PTCL’s licence has still not been renewed

The country’s second-largest telecommunications company – and the biggest one owned by the government – is facing significant delays from its own regulator

Distressed Azgard 9 to sell its manufacturing plant for Rs825 million

The transaction is part of a distressed fire sale arranged at the behest of the company’s major creditors after the company defaulted on its loan obligations

Ansari Sugar Mills vs Anver Majid: the saga continues

The desire of former President Asif Ali Zardari’s associate, and alleged partner in money laundering, to control his sugar mills from Karachi Central Jail continues to hamper the ability of the company to publish its financial statements

Isuzu’s Pakistani partner is definitely not bringing in Chinese SUVs to Pakistan

Ghandhara Industries denies story that has been circulating on social media about its supposed plans to partner with a Chinese automaker

Lahore government versus its trash collectors: what went wrong?

As the government seeks to end its contract with Turkish waste management companies, it is heavy handed in how it sees them off

Does Pakistan need influencer marketing regulations?

Since the free market has failed to ensure transparency or clamp down on deceptive advertising, perhaps it is time for a regulator or a CCP-oversight trade body to step in and set the terms for social media content creators

Seven years after delisting, Unilever Pakistan is investing heavily in growth

If an initial public offering (IPO) is when a company first makes its shares available to the public, a delisting can be...

Sugar industry’s margins stagnant, even as revenues rise

While some mills have struggled with higher sugarcane costs, others have managed to post higher gross margins and profits

Strong profits at Engro allow Dawood Hercules to pay off debts early

Company plans to pay down entirety of its long-term debt in 2021, at least one year ahead of schedule