ISLAMABAD, April 17, 2026 — Pakistan’s weekly inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), declined 0.69% in the week ending April 16, helped by a sharp cut in petroleum prices, but remained elevated at 12.16% year-on-year, official data showed on Friday.
(more…)Author: Mrs. Anjum Shahnawaz
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Pakistan urges safe passage in Hormuz, backs diplomacy to end conflict
UNITED NATIONS, April 17, 2026 — Pakistan called on the international community to ensure the security of ships and crew in the Strait of Hormuz and restore normal maritime traffic, warning that ongoing disruptions are inflicting widespread economic damage beyond the Middle East.
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Aurangzeb seeks faster Panda bond approval in talks with China central bank
WASHINGTON, April 17, 2026 — Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb held talks with the governor of China’s central bank on Thursday, seeking expedited approval for Islamabad’s planned Panda bond issuance and reaffirming economic cooperation between the two countries, the finance ministry said.
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Pakistan receives $2bn Saudi inflow ahead of UAE repayment
Pakistan has received a $2 billion deposit from Saudi Arabia, providing crucial support to its foreign exchange reserves ahead of a $3.5 billion repayment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this month, officials said on Thursday.
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Heavy rain batters Islamabad as storm system persists
ISLAMABAD, April 17, 2026 — Heavy rain accompanied by thunder, lightning and strong winds continued to lash Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Friday, as a powerful weather system moved across northern and north-eastern parts of Pakistan, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said.
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Pakistan March fuel imports surge despite Hormuz disruption
ISLAMABAD, April 16, 2026 — Pakistan recorded a sharp increase in petroleum imports in March 2026 despite global supply disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, official data showed on Thursday.
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Pakistan textile exports fall 7% in March amid Hormuz disruption
ISLAMABAD, April 16, 2026 — Pakistan’s textile exports declined 7% year-on-year in March 2026, hit by shipping disruptions following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, official data showed on Thursday.
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Pakistan faces acute electricity shortfall amid Gulf tensions, minister says
ISLAMABAD, April 16, 2026 — Pakistan is grappling with an acute electricity shortfall of around 3,400 megawatts due to a sharp decline in power generation from liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydropower sources, Energy Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari said on Thursday, attributing the crisis to ongoing tensions in the Gulf region.
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PM Shehbaz thanks Saudi Arabia for support in talks with Crown Prince MBS
April 16, 2026 — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s continued support for Pakistan’s economic stability during a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
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CCP clears UAE firm’s acquisition in Pakistan aviation services sector
ISLAMABAD, April 15, 2026 — The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the acquisition of a shareholding in Pakistan’s Northern Technik Private Limited by UAE-based International Business Company FZE, paving the way for fresh foreign direct investment in the country’s aviation services sector.
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