Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Shamshad Akhtar stresses to lower revenue-expenditure gap

Shamshad Akhtar stresses to lower revenue-expenditure gap

ISLAMABAD: Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs on Thursday said that a comprehensive overhaul of the government’s fiscal apparatus is vital to lower the revenue-expenditure gap. Bold reforms would lead to a new era of development and prosperity in the country, the minister said. Effective implementation of ambitious reforms … Read more

EXIM Bank to emerge as single window operation for exporters: Dr. Shamshad

EXIM Bank to emerge as single window operation for exporters: Dr. Shamshad

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Dr. Shamshad Akhtar has termed the operationalization of EXIM Bank, a major milestone to augment the banking and trade finance landscape in the country. Speaking at the Inaugural Ceremony of the Exim Bank in Islamabad on Thursday, she said EXIM has the potential to enhance Pakistani … Read more

PM Kakar urges business community to take advantage of SIFC

PM Kakar
  • PM was addressing ceremony for distribution of PSX awards.
  • ,He called for building and rebranding Pakistan through investment.
  • He urged corporate sector to explore opportunities in regions like ECO.

KARACHI: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar reiterating the government’s commitment to providing a conducive environment and streamlining regulations, urged the local business community to take advantage of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

The prime minister, addressing the ceremony for distribution of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) Awards to top 25 companies of the country for the year 2022, said the caretaker government’s ultimate goal was to provide a blueprint for the next government.

He said the government had sought help from the Pakistan Army to facilitate the business environment through the SIFC forum.

He told the gathering that the measures taken by the government, including the crackdown on smuggling, illicit foreign currency trade and power theft, had yielded results, triggering market sentiments and propelling the Pakistan Stock Exchange by 33% in November to the historic 60,000-point mark, besides boosting investors’ confidence.

Welcoming the private sector to invest and take advantage of the government’s measures, he called for building and rebranding Pakistan.

He said the privatization process was underway that would also have positive impacts on the economy.

The prime minister, who also distributed awards among the top 25 companies, said the PSX mirrored the vibrancy of the corporate sector and highlighted the symbiotic relations between the government’s policies and the prosperity of the businesses.

He emphasized the inherent responsibility of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), urging businesses to adopt it as a moral obligation rather than mere rhetoric. He also urged business leaders to embrace digital evolution and collaborate with higher education institutions.

Prime Minister Kakar urged the corporate sector to explore opportunities in regions like Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Caucasus, and the unexplored around 1.3 billion African population. He emphasized the need to prepare for $36 trillion trade activity expected to take place in China within 10-15 years.

He said Pakistan, a 240 million nation with immense natural resources like four seasons, mountains, and others as well as the youth bulge was destined to rise.

He said the award ceremony to recognize outstanding companies was a testament to cooperation between the government and the corporate sector.

In her address, Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar expressed the synergies between the Pakistan Stock Exchange and her professional journey.

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Dr Shamshad awarded with ‘Most Influential Woman in Islamic Business and Finance 2023’

Dr Shamshad

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs Dr Shamshad Akhtar was honoured with the prestigious Award of the ‘Most Influential Woman in Islamic Business and Finance 2023’ at the 5th Annual WOMANi event held in Dubai, organized by Cambridge IFA.

Dr. Akthar’s outstanding contributions to the field were recognized, especially her unwavering commitment and groundbreaking efforts in advancing Islamic finance and economics globally, the Ministry of Finance posted on X.

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FBR, Customs will be restructured, says Shamshad

ISLAMABAD: The government, under the stewardship of caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, has declared its intention to institute reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), with a key change involving the separation of customs from the revenue collection process. This move is designed to address perceived conflicts of interest and underscores the government’s … Read more

IMF likely to be talked for another programme, says Shamshad

IMF likely to be talked for another programme, says Shamshad

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Finance Minister Dr, Shamshad Akhtar has said that the interim government will try to talk to the IMF for the next program as the nation will need the lender’s help to consolidate macro-economic stability. She said that the country’s foreign reserves will jump in December after pledges made by global lenders materialize. The … Read more

Cabinet body on State-Owned Enterprises approves revised policy

Cabinet body on State-Owned Enterprises approves revised policy

ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on State Owned Enterprises was held, here on Wednesday with Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar in the chair. The State-Owned Enterprises (Ownership and Management) Policy, 2023, was re-submitted to the committee for review, after incorporation of feedback received from the members of the committee. The Committee reviewed the … Read more

FM Shamshad Akhtar sees DFIs as potential growth drivers

FM Shamshad Akhtar sees DFIs as potential growth drivers

ISLAMABAD: The caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Dr. Shamshad Akhtar said here on Thursday that the Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), having requisite expertise, efficiency and flexibility, can be the potential drivers of growth and development of the capital market. She was chairing a meeting with the Chairman Securities and Exchange Commission … Read more

Finance Minister Dr Shamshad suggests listing of govt debt securities at PSX

ISLAMABAD: Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue on Friday said that the securities market can play a vital role in the development of debt market through the listing of Government debt securities on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) . Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Centralized Gateway Portal, Dr Akhtar said … Read more

Govt awaits SC’s detailed verdict on NAB amendments: Solangi

Solangi
  • He sad legal experts will review detailed judgment.
  • Solangi said future course of action will be announce soon.
  • He reiterated caretaker government’s commitment to assist ECP.

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi said the caretaker government was waiting for the Supreme Court to issue a detailed judgment on a case related to the amendments in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws.

“Law Ministry and legal experts will review the detailed judgment and future course of action will be announce in the light of their opinion,” the minister said while addressing a news conference along with Caretaker Ministers for Finance and Energy Dr. Shamshad Akhtar and Muhammad Ali.

To a query, Solangi reiterated the caretaker government’s commitment to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in holding the general election in the country.

“Funds for election were allocated in the federal budget presented by the previous government and at this stage, delimitation process is underway.

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Dr Shamshad appreciates World Bank support for development projects

World Bank Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine on Tuesday called on Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, and Privatization Dr Shamshad Akhtar. The World Bank economist was accompanied by his team including Tobias Akhtar Haque, Lead Country Economist, and Gailius Draugelis, Operations Manager. Secretary Finance, Secretary Economic Affairs Division, and senior officers from … Read more

Nutshell Group to host sixth Edition of ‘The Future Summit’

Nutshell Group

KARACHI: The Nutshell Group will host the sixth Edition of Pakistan’s largest corporate event, The Future Summit, in Karachi on February 15 and 16, 2023, a statement said on Tuesday. The theme for this year is “Prepare for disruption”, which aims at exploring the emerging business opportunities, amid challenges at the local and global levels, … Read more

CCP, PICG sign agreement

CCP

KARACHI: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and the Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG) have signed a MoU for strengthening corporate governance and compliance, a statement said. CCP Chairperson Rahat Kaunain Hassan and PICG Chief Executive Officer Ahsan Jamil signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) in a ceremony at the CCP’s head office in … Read more