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ARY NEWS

Anjum Wahab

  • Karachi faces looming flour crisis as prices soar

    Karachi faces looming flour crisis as prices soar

    KARACHI: A flour crisis is feared in Karachi as mill owners have unilaterally raised the prices of flour and maida, sparking concerns of an artificial shortage in the city, ARY News reported

    According to Abdul Rauf, Chairman of the Wholesale Grocers Association, the price of flour has surged by Rs20 per kilogram. In Karachi’s wholesale markets, fine flour is now selling at Rs95 per kg, while No 2.5 flour has reached Rs89 per kg.

    This sharp increase stands in contrast to the official rates fixed by the Karachi Commissioner, who had set the price of fine flour at Rs78 per kg and No 2.5 flour at Rs66 per kg. Retail prices in Karachi have climbed even higher, with fine flour now being sold at Rs110 per kg and No 2.5 flour at Rs95 per kg.

    Meanwhile, the price of chakki flour has also soared by Rs30 per kg, reaching Rs120 per kg. The Flour Chakki Association in Karachi defended the hike, stating that high wheat purchase costs and additional expenses of Rs30 per kg for grinding and processing make it impossible to sell flour at cheaper rates.

    Market observers in Karachi warn that the flour crisis could worsen if wheat hoarding by profiteers continues unchecked and authorities fail to take timely action.

    Also Read: Karachi authorities set official prices for flour, bread

    Earlier, Commissioner of Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi had issued a notification setting official flour prices and bread rates in the city to accommodate masses during Ramadan.

    According to the notification, the wholesale price of No 2.5 flour in Karachi has been fixed at Rs83 per kg, while the retail price is set at Rs87 per kg. Fine flour prices were at Rs88 per kg in wholesale and Rs92 per kg in retail. Chakki flour price has been set at Rs 100 per kg.

    However, in Karachi’s markets, fine flour was being sold between Rs90 to Rs100 per kg, while Chakki flour was priced between Rs110 to Rs115 per kg. The notification also fixed the price of a 100-gram roti at Rs 10 and a 120-gram naan at Rs 15.

    However, in Karachi, chapati was being sold at Rs18 to Rs20, while naan without weight restrictions is priced between Rs25 to Rs28. Additionally, the flour rates were officially set to regulate market prices.

     

  • SSGC issues important update about gas shutdown plan on August 14

    SSGC issues important update about gas shutdown plan on August 14

    KARACHI: Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has announced that there will be no gas suspension on August 14, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

    The SSGC earlier announced gas load shedding for District West, Karachi on August 14.

    Earlier, the company had announced a shutdown from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. in multiple areas, including Haroonabad SITE Area, Sher Shah, SITE, Jehanabad, Mianwali Colony, Lashari Mohalla, Metroville, Bawani Chali, Pathan Colony, Old Golimar, Rexer Colony, Hasan Oliya, and Muslimabad, as well as SITE Industrial Area, Gulbai, Mauripur, Tikri Village, and Muslim Colony.

    The suspension was initially planned to facilitate the relocation of a gas pipeline at the Water Board’s request.

    Read more: SSGC charges billions from consumers to offset gas losses

    The Karachi Water Board’s pipeline restoration program has also been put on hold.

    According to the company’s statement, the move aims to facilitate consumers during the Independence Day holiday.

    An SSGC spokesperson clarified that the statement issued on Tuesday regarding gas suspension should now be considered cancelled.

  • K-Electric introduces new consumer-friendly electricity bill layout

    K-Electric introduces new consumer-friendly electricity bill layout

    KARACHI: K-Electric has unveiled a redesigned electricity bill format aimed at making it more user-friendly, according to the company’s spokesperson.

    The updated bill layout consolidates calculations and information in one place for easier understanding by consumers.

    The K-Electric spokesperson clarified that no changes have been made to the tariff or slab structure.

    Customers can also view details of the new layout on the company’s official website.

    It also contains a specific message board for the updates related to tariffs and taxation, as instructed by the government.

    Additionally, it has consolidated customer information that includes load details and account numbers. Moreover, the back page has several updates like net metering, smart meters, and various service notices.

    Read more: K-Electric launches Pakistan’s short-term retail Sukuk

    This initiative will also reduce paper usage. Additional pages have been eliminated, and all relevant information will not be embedded within the bill. This is followed by KE’s 2022 eco-friendly measures to lessen paper consumption and align with its digital transformation strategy, which gained a 60% rise in e-bill subscriptions between June 2024 and June 2025.

    “The new electricity bill layout is a direct result of customer feedback and our mission to empower users with clarity and convenience,” said Noor Afshan, Senior Director and Head of Marketing & Customer Experience at KE. “We believe that informed customers are empowered customers.”

  • Electric bikes: Major update for working women

    Electric bikes: Major update for working women

    The Workers Welfare Board Sindh has decided to provide electric bikes not only to women but also to minority industrial workers, ARY News reported.

    According to details, Secretary Rafiq Qureshi announced that the Workers Welfare Board has decided to extend its e-bike scheme to industrial workers from minority communities, alongside women.

    He further stated that with the board’s approval, an investment of Rs. 3 billion will be made in SECP-approved Shariah-compliant Sukuk bonds to provide additional facilities for workers.

    Under the accidental health insurance scheme, workers will receive annual health coverage worth Rs700,000, with access to treatment in 270 hospitals across the country.

    Read more:Govt ‘decides’ to provide 116,000 electric bikes on installments

    Instead of flats, fully solar-powered houses will be constructed for workers, and schools under the Workers Welfare Board will also be solarized. Schoolchildren will be provided with uniforms twice a year.

    Rafiq Qureshi added that all departments of the Workers Welfare Board are being digitized to ensure fair provision of facilities.

    On the instructions of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the death grant amount is being increased from Rs700,000 to Rs1 million, and the marriage grant from Rs300,000 to Rs500,000.

    He said these measures represent a new hope and a promise of a brighter future for the rights and welfare of workers, which will not only improve their living standards but also pave the way for sustainable development in education, housing, health, and energy sectors.

  • Imported cars worth millions declared at thousands in Karachi

    Imported cars worth millions declared at thousands in Karachi

    KARACHI: A major money laundering scheme has been exposed by the Directorate General of Post Clearance Audit, involving the under-invoicing of luxury vehicles imported into Pakistan for commercial purposes, ARY News reported.

    According to the latest audit report from the faceless customs assessment system, expensive vehicles were cleared at shockingly low values.

    One notable case revealed that a 2023 model Toyota Land Cruiser was declared at just Rs17,635, far below its actual market value.

    The audit, which covered the faceless customs assessment period from December 2024 to March 2025, examined 1,335 import goods declarations.

    The findings showed significant discrepancies between the declared values and the actual worth of the vehicles.

    Importers declared a total value of only Rs670 million for all 1,335 goods declarations. However, customs officials assessed the actual value at Rs7.25 billion.

    Initial duties collected on these vehicles amounted to just Rs1.29 billion, while the actual payable taxes and duties were estimated at Rs18.78 billion.

    The audit also found that importers failed to provide legal documentation proving foreign currency remittances used to purchase these vehicles.

    The report suggests that payments were made through informal channels such as hundi or hawala.

    In one of the most serious examples, a 2023 model Land Cruiser, with an actual import value of over Rs10 million and due taxes exceeding Rs47.2 million, was cleared with a 99 percent under-invoicing rate.

    The report concludes that importers not only committed tax fraud but also submitted false income declarations by showing lower vehicle values in their tax filings.

    Authorities are now likely to take further action based on the audit’s findings, which expose deep flaws in the customs clearance system.

    Also Read: Audit reveals 80 government vehicles missing in KP

    Earlier, an audit report has revealed 80 missing government vehicles in the official records of the Livestock and Dairy Development Department, which were purchased for several livestock development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) between 2007 and 2021.

    In the audit conducted for the fiscal year 2023–24, major discrepancies have been found between the department’s submitted list of 97 vehicles and the Excise Department’s stats.

     

  • Sugar prices drop in Karachi

    Sugar prices drop in Karachi

    KARACHI: Sugar prices have dropped in Karachi as the crackdown against sugar mills and hoarding begun showing positive results, according to the Wholesale Grocers Association.

    The association reported that the ex-mill price of sugar has declined to Rs165 per kilogram.

    In Karachi’s wholesale market, sugar is now being sold at Rs170 per kilogram, while retail prices have dropped to between Rs175 and Rs180 per kilogram.

    On August 3, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) issued a new tender for the import of 100,000 metric tons of sugar, officials confirmed.

    According to TCP, the new tender is scheduled to be opened on August 11.

    Read more: Pakistan govt issues tender for 100,000 metric tons sugar import

    Sources revealed that a previous tender had also been issued for sugar import, in which four companies had submitted their bids. However, due to higher quoted prices, the earlier tender is likely to be cancelled.

    Reportedly, the price quoted in the previous tender for imported sugar was Rs. 227 per kilogram.

    Earlier, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed reservations over Pakistan’s decision to offer tax exemptions and subsidies on imported sugar, warning that such measures could jeopardise the ongoing $7 billion loan program.

  • Pakistan Railways to launch new high-tech business train from THIS date

    Pakistan Railways to launch new high-tech business train from THIS date

    Pakistan Railways has announced the launch of a new state-of-the-art business train, ARY News reported on Friday.

    As per details, the Pakistan Railways will inaugurate the new high-tech business train on July 19.

    The new service will feature 28 digitally equipped coaches, complimentary Wi-Fi, and an international-standard dining car, offering passengers a modern and comfortable travel experience.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will formally inaugurate the train in Lahore. The initiative is part of broader efforts to modernize PR.

    The modernization drive includes the introduction of digital ticketing systems, enhanced onboard services, and upgraded facilities at railway stations, aimed at improving overall passenger satisfaction and operational efficiency.

    Read more: Pakistan Railways to outsource commercial management of trains

    In a separate development, the PR plans to outsource various services, including the commercial management of passenger trains.

    According to an official from the Ministry of Railways, Pakistan Railways generated over Rs 3,959 million in revenue from the operation of brake and luggage vans over the past three years.

    “These operations were carried out both directly by Pakistan Railways and through outsourcing to private contractors,” the official told state-run APP.

    He said that the luggage vans have been outsourced through a transparent bidding process during this period. “The outsourcing is done via open tenders which are publicly advertised by the department,” the official said.

  • Pakistan Railways increases fares following petroleum prices hike

    Pakistan Railways increases fares following petroleum prices hike

    ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Railways on Wednesday announced increasing fares for passenger, express, and mail trains, marking the second increase within 15 days, ARY News reported.

    According to a notification issued here, the Pakistan Railways a 2 percent fare increase will take effect from July 4 for express and passenger trains. The 2 percent fare hike will also extend to advance bookings as per the notification.

    The decision was taken in the wake of rising petroleum products prices including diesel.

    According to an official, the Pakistan Railways had been incurring a monthly loss of approximately Rs 109 million due to the rising cost of diesel.

    The railway department directives have been issued to the Director of IT and the DS to ensure compliance with the updated fares.

    It may be noted here passenger train fares were raised by 3 percent, while freight train fares saw a 4 percent increase on June 18.

    Read More: Pakistan Railways to provide free Wi-Fi service in 40 trains

    The federal government increased petroleum products’ prices for the ongoing fortnight ending on July 15, pushing the petrol price up by Rs 8.36 per litre.

    As per a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, the petrol price was increased by Rs14.80 per litre, bringing the new petrol price to Rs266.89 per litre.

    Similarly, the price of high-speed diesel was raised by Rs10.39 per litre, with the new rate set at Rs272.98 per litre.

  • Cement sales drop in Pakistan despite export boost during FY 2024-25

    Cement sales drop in Pakistan despite export boost during FY 2024-25

    Pakistan’s cement industry saw a drop in local sales during the 2024–25 financial year, but exports showed a strong rise, helping the overall performance of the sector, according to the latest report shared by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

    Domestic demand remained weak over the year, with local cement sales falling from 38.181 million tons in 2023–24 to 37.017 million tons in 2024–25, showing a decline of 3.05 percent.

    Experts believe this is due to low construction activity and the overall economic slowdown in the country.

    In contrast, cement exports rose sharply. The industry exported 9.204 million tons during the year, up from 7.11 million tons last year, a rise of 29.46 percent.

    This boost in exports helped total cement sales grow slightly by 2.05 percent, reaching 46.221 million tons compared to 45.291 million tons last year.

    Read More: Cement prices likely to rise after key LHC ruling

    In June 2025 alone, local sales dropped to 2.597 million tons from 3.079 million tons in June 2024, marking a decline of 15.65 percent.

    However, exports in June jumped by 81.7 percent, going from 472,865 tons to 859,204 tons. Even with the strong export numbers, overall cement sales in June fell slightly by 2.69 percent from the same month last year.

    Looking at regional data, northern factories sold 2.445 million tons of cement in June 2025, which was 10.21 percent less than the previous June.

    Local sales in the north were down by 14.43 percent, but exports from this region nearly doubled, reaching 207,975 tons an increase of 91.05 percent.

    In the south, the situation was mixed. South-based plants sold 1.01 million tons of cement in June, up by 21.99 percent compared to June 2024.

    Local sales, however, dropped by 22.5 percent to 360,814 tons, while exports rose sharply by 78.91 percent, hitting 651,229 tons.

    For the full year, north-based factories sold 30.726 million tons locally, which was 2.6 percent less than the 31.545 million tons sold the previous year.

    Their exports increased by 15.56 percent to 1.684 million tons. In total, northern cement dispatches were slightly lower, dropping by 1.79 percent to 32.410 million tons.

    In the south, domestic sales also went down from 6.636 million tons last year to 6.291 million tons this year, a drop of 5.21 percent.

    But exports saw major growth, rising by 33.04 percent to 7.519 million tons. Total cement dispatches from the south grew by 12.38 percent, reaching 13.811 million tons.

    The APCMA has expressed concern about the falling local demand. They urged the government of Pakistan to cut taxes and duties on cement, calling it a basic necessity, not a luxury.

    The association added that stronger local sales would help keep factories running, create jobs, support related industries, and bring more income for the country.

     

  • PSX 100-index soars 5,878 points after Iran-Israel ceasefire

    PSX 100-index soars 5,878 points after Iran-Israel ceasefire

    Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday witnessed bullish trend after Iran-Israel ceasefire development, ARY News reported. 

    The KSE-100 Index skyrocketed 5,787 points to cross 122,000 points mark. Due to an extraordinary surge, the trading at PSX was halted for an hour.

    According to market regulations, trading is automatically paused when the KSE-30 Index rises by more than 5% continuously to prevent excessive volatility.

    Senior market analysts described the rally as one of the most significant recent recoveries, with strong buying momentum across key sectors.

    The KSE-100 Index touched an intraday high of 122,046.03 points, while the low stood at 120,369.53 points. Trading activity was robust, with a total volume of 146.67 million shares exchanged.

    It is to be noted that US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran ceasefire is enforced after 12-day long war.

    Click here for all the updates about Iran-Israel war

    “THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

    The US leader had earlier said the truce would be a phased 24-hour process beginning at around 0400 GMT Tuesday, with Iran unilaterally halting all operations first. He said Israel would follow suit 12 hours later.

    Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed gratitude toward the Iranian armed forces who punished Israel for its aggression until the very last minute.

    “The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am,” Araghchi wrote on X social media platform.

    “Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute.”