Growth rate may fall to 6pc, says SBP
All major indicators are going against economic growth and previous government’s huge spending and ‘understatement’ have compounded the situation, says the State Bank’s second quarterly report issued more... (D)

All key targets would not be achieved: SBP
The State Bank of Pakistan on Monday predicted great economic challenges for the new government, projecting that all key economic targets including GDP growth, inflation, monetary growth, budgetary balance and current account deficit would not be achieved more... (BR)

CPI rises to 11.3 percent
The headline consumer price index (CPI) rose to 11.3 percent (YoY) in February 2008, from 7.0 percent in June 2007 because of expansionary fiscal policy and unanticipated strength of international commodity prices. The increase has hit hard the lower and the lower-middle income groups more... (BR)

Cheerless president swears in cabinet
President Pervez Musharraf administered oath of office to 24 ministers of the federal cabinet on Monday in a seven-minute ceremony which appeared to be dull and dreary more... (BR)

PM to announce new law and order policy soon
The government will announce its policy on law and order and matters concerning national security in a couple of weeks more... (D)

Thousands greet Iftikhar in Quetta
Deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd when he arrived in his hometown on Monday for the first time since his release after five months in detention more... (D)

JCR-VIS upgrades EFU Life Assurance
JCR-VIS Credit Rating Co Limited (JCR-VIS) has upgraded the insurer financial strength (IFS) rating of EFU Life Assurance Ltd (EFU Life) to 'AA-' (Double A Minus) from 'A+' (Single A Plus) with a 'Stable' Outlook more... (BR)

PIA suffers Rs13.4bn loss
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) suffered a loss of Rs13.4 billion during the financial year of 2007, which turned out to be an exceptionally difficult year for the national carrier due to many reasons more.... (D)

Poor textile sector output main cause of low exports
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Monday that poor performance of the textile sector was mainly a reflection of sharp slowdown in its exports. In its second quarterly report, the SBP said that the country's overall exports went up by 7.9 percent to $11.7 billion, while imports grew by 22 percent during July-February FY08 mainly due to the rising international commodity prices more... (BR)