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ARY NEWS

Anjum Wahab

  • NADRA launches digital birth, death registration system across Pakistan

    NADRA launches digital birth, death registration system across Pakistan

    The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has partnered with provincial governments to modernise civil documentation to introduce a digital birth and death registration system across hospitals and healthcare centres in Pakistan.

    This step is part of the Uraan Pakistan program, focused on utilising technology for effective governance and economic growth.

    NADRA is upgrading the Digital Birth and Death Registration System to ensure recording and maintenance of a detailed tracking of life events, under the National Registration and Biometric Policy Framework as a collaborative effort with the World Bank.

    By this modern system, hospitals and healthcare facilities will be able to directly register births and/or deaths from the collected data, confirming the timely updates in the national database.

    Also, the innovative projects for digital ID and the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP) will be supported.

    Moving further, these statistics will play a main part in fostering technology development and economic events in the country as part of the Uraan Pakistan program, advancing Pakistan’s Digital Birth and Death Registration System.

    NADRA and provincial governments have already signed and executed the agreements as a part of the Uraan Pakistan program, including Sindh and Balochistan, with additional agreements likely to be executed in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

    Read More: NADRA offers free NICs for first-time applicants

    Earlier, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) took a key step by offering first-time applicants the opportunity to get their national ID cards made free of charge.

    This step aimed to make ID registration easier for Pakistani citizens. Additionally, the integration of smart features into the non-chip ID card system made it more prominent.

    As per the new policy, individuals who applied for their first Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) visited NADRA centres and received their non-chip ID card free of cost.

    Through a swift and efficient registration process, applicant may get their free ID card in 15 working days.

  • Federal govt’s debt hits high record: SBP

    Federal govt’s debt hits high record: SBP

    KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has indicated a record increase in the debt of the federal government in the recently released report, raising serious concerns about the financial stability of the country, ARY News reported.

    According to the report, on a year-to-year basis, the overall Pakistan government debt has skyrocketed by 12.7%, reaching Rs. 73.69 trillion in March 2025, comparatively higher than Rs. 65.38 trillion in March 2024.

    If analyses are seen on a month-on-month basis, 0.9% of debt increased, causing Rs. 652 billion in just one month.

    The report additionally indicates a significant rise of 18.6% in domestic debt, surging from Rs 43.43 trillion in March 2024 to Rs 51.52 trillion in March 2025.

    At the same time, 0.7% monthly and 1% annual external debt was seen as an increase, reaching Rs. 22.17 trillion.

    In the report, the State Bank of Pakistan has indicated that there is a significant rise in long-term public debt, while a slight decline has been seen in short-term.

    Based on the report, experts have warned that continuous dependence on borrowing may worsen the economic challenges of Pakistan, making Pakistan government debt repayment gradually tougher.

    Economic specialists specify that Pakistan’s budget deficit is a major issue, as the government heavily depends on loans to meet its financial obligations.

    The State Bank’s report highlights that short-term debt has decreased, but long-term debt continues to rise, indicating a shift in borrowing strategies.

    Read More: State Bank of Pakistan Cuts Policy Rate by 100 Basis Points to 11%

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced a 100-basis point reduction in its key policy rate, bringing it down to 11%, as decided by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) during its meeting.

    This move, which aligned with market expectations of a rate cut amid easing inflation, aimed to support economic growth while maintaining price stability. The Monetary Policy Committee highlighted a sharp decline in inflation during March and April, which was attributed to reduced administered electricity prices and a continued downtrend in food inflation.

  • PSX surges 10,000 points following IMF loan approval, Pak-India ceasefire

    PSX surges 10,000 points following IMF loan approval, Pak-India ceasefire

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a historic rally, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index surging by 10,000 points in a single session on Monday.

    Following this significant jump, the index reached an unprecedented level of 117,173 points, marking one of the largest single-day gains in the market’s history.

    Due to the extraordinary surge, trading was temporarily halted for one hour as a precautionary measure, in line with standard market volatility protocols.

    The market experts are saying the investors are expressing trust in the market due to recent loan tranche approval by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India after a brief military escalation.

    The stock market endured a turbulent week, with the KSE-100 index plunging 6,939 points, or -6.1% week-on-week (WoW), to close near 107,000 amid rising geopolitical tensions between Pakistan and India.

    Read more: Qatari Riyal to Pakistani Rupee Rate Today- May 10, 2025

    Despite a partial rebound on Friday, the broader trend remained bearish.

    On a day-on-day basis, the PSX witnessed a turbulent start to the week, with the benchmark KSE-100 index closing nearly flat amid rising tensions with India and State Bank’s policy uncertainty. The index dipped steeply in early trading, falling 1,036 points. At close, the KSE-100 recorded a decline of just 11.70 points and settled at 114,102.

    On Tuesday, the bourse closed lower as investor optimism over the State Bank’s 100bps rate cut quickly gave way to concerns over escalating Pakistan-India tensions and Moody’s warning about economic stability. The index recorded a decline of 534 points.

  • Trains operating smoothly amid regional tensions

    Trains operating smoothly amid regional tensions

    Pakistan Railways announced that the train operations have no change in their schedule, despite the security issues amid India-Pakistan tensions, ARY News reported, citing official sources.

    According to the Pakistan Railway’s spokesperson, trains are operational according to their schedule to facilitate passengers, with no change reported.

    Earlier, Pakistan’s civilian areas were subjected to an attack, reporting no casualties or damage. However, precautionary measures across multiple sectors to ensure public safety and preparedness have been taken due to escalating India-Pakistan tensions.

    Airlines and flight operations have been temporarily postponed; however, commercial flights remain unaffected and operational.

    Read More: Several airlines suspend flight operations amid India-Pakistan tensions

    Earlier, in response to rising India-Pakistan tensions following recent conflicts between the countries, flights of three major international airlines were suspended to both countries.

    Operations to Pakistan and India were halted by Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways, indicating security measures and airspace limitations.

    The conflict increased after India attacked Pakistan’s territory, causing a counterattack.

    On the other side, India halted 25 international flight routes that earlier crossed its airspace into Pakistan.

  • Pakistan imposes ban on fishing in sea amid heightened tensions with India

    Pakistan imposes ban on fishing in sea amid heightened tensions with India

    KARACHI: Pakistan authorities on Thursday imposed a temporary ban on fishing in the country’s territorial waters due to escalating tensions with India, ARY News reported, citing official sources.

    All fishing boats and trawlers currently at sea have been recalled as a precautionary measure.

    A high alert has also been issued at the country’s three major ports: Karachi, Port Qasim, and Gwadar. The ban will remain in effect until the high alert is lifted.

    Authorities have urged fishermen to refrain from venturing out to sea, and security at all major ports has been significantly tightened.

    Read More: Pakistan suspends flight operations at major airports

    Earlier, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) Thursday suspended flight operations at several major airports across the country, ARY News reported.

    Airports in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Sialkot have been completely closed for an indefinite period.

    The suspension of operations was confirmed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by aviation authorities, notifying all airlines of the closure.

    All incoming flights bound for Lahore have been diverted to Karachi Airport. These include flights from Jeddah, Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah, and Madinah.

    As a precautionary measure, Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore and Sialkot airport have been evacuated, sources said. Jinnah International Airport in Karachi has also ceased flight operations.

    All scheduled flights at these airports have been cancelled until further notice.

    According to airport authorities in Karachi, all affected passengers have been transferred to the airport lounges for their comfort and safety. Passengers have been advised to stay in contact with their respective airlines for the latest updates on flight schedules.

    The development came in the wake of Indian attack on Pakistan.

  • PRAC raises concerns over ‘insufficient’ policy rate cut

    PRAC raises concerns over ‘insufficient’ policy rate cut

    The Policy Research and Advocacy Council (PRAC) has expressed concerns over the ‘insufficient’ reduction in the policy rate by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

    In a statement issued here, the PRAC maintained that decision of the SBP to cut the policy rate by ‘only’ 100 basis points (bps) in its meeting came at a time when the inflation rate has reached a record low of just 0.28% in April 2025, which is far below the central bank’s target of 5-7%.

    “The PRAC had recommended a 200 bps cut considering the current economic conditions, as the private sector is in dire need of cheap credit.”

    PRAC Chairman and former Finance Secretary Muhammad Yunus Dagha said that SBP’s ‘cautious’ approach is stifling economic recovery and further restricting credit to the private sector, while major decisions are still needed.

    “Pakistan’s private sector debt-to-GDP ratio is only 12.0%, one of the lowest levels among developing countries. In contrast, India (50.1%), Turkey (50.3%) and Bangladesh (37.6%) have higher credit availability to the private sector,” the statement added.

    “The public sector, including government institutions, accounts for 76.5% of total credit, leaving the private sector with only 23.5% of credit. This ratio was 29% in March 2022 when interest rates were in single digits.”

    The PRAC recommended that once inflation is under control, the SBP should reduce the policy rate by 200 bps to bring it in line with other countries in the region to promote economic growth

    “When countries like India, China, and Vietnam are growing at low interest rates, Pakistan will also have to follow the same path. Not reducing interest rates further is hurting the private sector and slowing the recovery of the economy,” Muhammad Yunus Dagha said.

    Read More: State Bank of Pakistan Cuts Policy Rate by 100 Basis Points to 11%

    Earlier on May 5, The SBP announced a 100-basis point reduction in its key policy rate, bringing it down to 11%, as decided by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) during its meeting

    The Monetary Policy Committee highlighted a sharp decline in inflation during March and April, attributed to reduced administered electricity prices and a continued downtrend in food inflation. Core inflation also fell to 8.0 percent in April, reflecting a favorable base effect and moderate demand. The committee assessed that the inflation outlook has improved, with expectations for it to stabilize within the target range of 5–7 percent in the coming months.

  • State Bank of Pakistan Cuts Policy Rate by 100 Basis Points to 11%

    State Bank of Pakistan Cuts Policy Rate by 100 Basis Points to 11%

    Karachi, May 5, 2025 — The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced a 100-basis point reduction in its key policy rate, bringing it down to 11%, as decided by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) during its meeting on Monday. This move, which aligns with market expectations of a rate cut amid easing inflation, aims to support economic growth while maintaining price stability.

    The Monetary Policy Committee highlighted a sharp decline in inflation during March and April, attributed to reduced administered electricity prices and a continued downtrend in food inflation. Core inflation also fell to 8.0 percent in April, reflecting a favorable base effect and moderate demand. The committee assessed that the inflation outlook has improved, with expectations for it to stabilize within the target range of 5–7 percent in the coming months.

    However, the MPC cautioned that global uncertainties, particularly around trade tariffs and geopolitical developments, could pose risks to Pakistan’s economy. “The heightened global uncertainty has led to financial market volatility and a sharp decline in global oil prices,” the committee noted, referencing the International Monetary Fund’s downgraded growth projections for 2025 and 2026.

    Economic Developments

    The committee reviewed several key developments since its last meeting:

    • GDP Growth: Provisional data showed real GDP growth of 1.7 percent in Q2-FY25, with H1-FY25 growth at 1.5 percent. High-frequency indicators, such as rising vehicle and petroleum sales, suggest sustained economic momentum.

    • Current Account Surplus: A $1.2 billion surplus was recorded in March, driven by record-high workers’ remittances and lower import bills due to declining global oil prices. The cumulative surplus for July–March FY25 reached $1.9 billion.

    • Fiscal Challenges: Federal Board of Revenue tax collection grew by 26.3 percent year-on-year but fell short of targets. The MPC emphasized the need for fiscal reforms, including expanding the tax net and reforming state-owned enterprises.

    • Foreign Exchange Reserves: The MPC expects reserves to reach $14 billion by June 2025, supported by planned official inflows, though risks from global trade uncertainties remain.

    Sectoral Insights

    In the real sector, agriculture faced challenges with lower-than-expected wheat output, while large-scale manufacturing (LSM) underperformed due to contractions in low-weight and construction-allied sectors. However, positive growth was noted in garments, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles. The MPC maintained its FY25 growth projection of 2.5–3.5 percent, with an anticipated acceleration in FY26.

    On the external front, a sharp rise in the trade deficit to $3.4 billion in April partially offset March’s gains. Nonetheless, robust remittances and moderated imports are expected to sustain a current account surplus for FY25.

    Monetary and Inflation Outlook

    Broad money (M2) growth accelerated to 13.3 percent year-on-year as of April 18, driven by increased private sector credit, particularly in textiles, refineries, and auto financing. The MPC noted that the real policy rate remains sufficiently positive to anchor inflation within the target range while supporting sustainable economic growth.

    Looking ahead, the committee anticipates a gradual rise in inflation but expects it to remain within the 5–7 percent target. Risks include volatility in food prices, potential energy price adjustments, and global supply-chain disruptions.

    Policy Stance

    The MPC emphasized a cautious monetary policy stance to navigate domestic and global challenges. “Maintaining a measured approach is critical to ensuring economic stability amidst global uncertainties,” the committee stated, underscoring the importance of fiscal reforms and effective implementation of recent agricultural tax legislation.

    The decision to cut the policy rate reflects confidence in the improving inflation outlook but is tempered by vigilance over external risks. Analysts expect the central bank to closely monitor global developments and domestic fiscal performance in the coming months.

    DOLLAR RATE TODAY IN PAKISTAN- LIVE

  • Pakistan blocks all trade routes for India-bound goods

    Pakistan blocks all trade routes for India-bound goods

    ISLAMABAD: The federal government of Pakistan has imposed a ban on the import of goods from its land, sea, and air routes to India, citing national security and public interest concerns, ARY News reported.

    According to details, all Indian goods have now been officially declared prohibited. The government has announced that no cargo will be allowed to transit to India through Pakistani territory under any circumstance, including sea, land, or air routes.

    Additionally, the ban also applies to goods originating from third countries if they are intended for India and pass through Pakistani territory.

    However, the Ministry of Commerce clarified that the restriction will not apply to shipments for which a bill of lading or letter of credit (LC) has already been issued before the announcement of the ban.

    This move marks another escalation in economic and diplomatic tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

    Read More: Pakistan bans Indian ships from entering its ports

    Earlier, Pakistan banned the entry of Indian flag carriers from entering its ports following rising tensions after the Pahalgam incident.

    As per details, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has formally imposed a ban on Indian-flagged cargo vessels from entering Pakistani ports. Official notification is also issued.

    In addition, the ministry has directed that no Pakistani-flagged ships will be allowed to dock at Indian ports, citing the current escalation in Pakistan-India tensions as the reason behind the decision.

    Similarly, India imposed an immediate ban on all imports from Pakistan, citing national security concerns, Indian media outlets reported on Saturday.

    An official notification from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, issued on Saturday, states:

    “Prohibition on Import from Pakistan. The direct or indirect import, or transit, of all goods originating in or exported from Pakistan, whether freely importable or otherwise permitted, shall be prohibited with immediate effect until further orders. This restriction is imposed in the interest of national security and public policy. Any exceptions to this prohibition will require prior approval from the Government of India.”

  • Pakistan bans Indian ships from entering its ports

    Pakistan bans Indian ships from entering its ports

    Pakistan has banned entry of Indian flag carriers from entering its ports following rising tensions after Pahalgam incident, ARY News reported.

    As per details, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has formally imposed a ban on Indian-flagged cargo vessels from entering Pakistani ports. Official notification is also issued.

    In addition, the ministry has directed that no Pakistani-flagged ships will be allowed to dock at Indian ports, citing the current escalation in Pakistan-India tensions as the reason behind the decision.

    It is pertinent to mention here that tensions have escalated between Pakistan and India after the latter’s baseless allegations against Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which killed 26 persons, the majority of whom were tourists.

    Read more: Pakistan airspace closure costs Indian Airlines Rs2bn loss in few days

    Without providing any proof, India accused Pakistan of the attack shortly after it happened.

    India’s foreign ministry had announced to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance and close the Attari and Wagah borders. Pakistani nationals will no longer be able to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption.

    The Indian foreign ministry also announced to India recall all its defense attachés from Islamabad.

    In a befitting response, Pakistan rejected the Indian announcement to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and closed its airspace to Indian flights.

    “Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan as per the Indus Waters Treaty, and the usurpation of the rights of lower riparian will be considered as an Act of War and responded with full force across the complete spectrum of National Power”. it added.