River diversion, land erosion, and deadly sand mounds expose the human cost of a billion-rupee industry Mining Boom Tears through Ecology and Livelihoods Farmers lose land, fish vanish, and tourists perish as Swat’s riverbed is carved away SAIDU SHARIF, July 10 – Once the beating heart of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s scenic …

Digital rupee to integrate with PRISM+ amid new crypto oversight law ISLAMABAD, July 10 — Pakistan is moving ahead with a central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot program as part of efforts to modernize its financial system and keep pace with the global shift toward digital finance. According to well-placed …

Fiscal tightening helps balance the books, but deeper economic flaws are left unresolved ISLAMABAD, July 8– In a bid to rein in public spending and bring the economy back on track, Pakistan’s Finance Division has rolled out a new round of austerity measures for the fiscal year 2025-26. The policy, …

Canal colonies in floodplains brace for disaster as NDMA flags extends rain spell; 64 dead from earlier downpours ISLAMABAD, July 4 – The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide alert forecasting heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and flash floods across Pakistan from July 6 to 10, 2025, warning of …

New Potohar Water Board proposed as CDA struggles with sector expansion, falling investor confidence, and a staggering supply shortfall ISLAMABAD, July 4: After more than a decade in bureaucratic freeze, the Tarbela Water Scheme—originally proposed in 2008—is being revived by the federal government in an urgent bid to address the …

Cement, textiles, shipping, and power sectors face shutdown risks as furnace oil prices surge over 80% under new fiscal regime ISLAMABAD, July 3 — A sweeping hike in furnace oil prices—driven by newly imposed petroleum and climate support levies effective July 1—has triggered alarm across Pakistan’s industrial and energy sectors. …

From breeding animals to imported cheese and used cars, tax relief lands in elite hands as the public watches from the sidelines RNN Report ISLAMABAD, July 3 — The federal government has slashed import duties on over 7,000 items in the new fiscal year, with the declared aim of supporting …

Energy Ministry sets sights on 60% renewable power and 30% electric vehicles by 2030 under ambitious energy overhaul ISLAMABAD July 2 – Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy has outlined a bold strategy to overhaul the country’s energy landscape, aiming to reduce inefficiencies, attract foreign investment, and transition towards cleaner, smarter energy …

With over Rs80 in taxes per litre, government leans on fuel pricing to patch up fiscal shortfalls Islamabad, July 1 — The federal government has put up fuel prices once again, raising petrol by Rs8.36 to Rs266.79 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs10.39 to Rs272.98. The revised prices, …

As Pakistan enters new fiscal year, over 50 powerful institutions walk away with exemptions — while fuel, electricity, and daily life get costlier for the rest ISLAMABAD, July 1 — As the Finance Bill 2025-26 makes its way to presidential assent, a closer look reveals an unsettling pattern: the bill …