Foreign drugs rare commodity in sanctions-hit Iran
"Talk of sanctions on Iran reemerged, and my essential medicine was no longer available," said Masoud Mir who suffers from thalassaemia, a genetic blood disease common in Iran. Mir, 36,…
Citizenship as a commodity
In Britain’s multitiered visa system, there are now many routes to citizenship. For those prepared to invest $1.24m in companies registered in Britain, there is Tier 1: a fast-tracked visa…
Long-term investors shy away as hot money fuels commodity rallies
Hot money has helped commodity markets to outpace shares for the first time in five years, but long-term investors burnt in the previous boom are unlikely to add their considerable…
Falling prices, rising taxes squeeze African miners
Against a background of crashing commodity prices, mining in Africa is facing increasing pressure as governments and investors struggle over distribution of the mineral wealth buried under much of the…
Ups and downs of oil prices
OIL remains the world’s most critical commodity. It has fuelled the industrial age. For over a century, oil politics has been almost synonymous with geopolitics; the cause of numerous wars…
As US debates oil exports, long-term prices slump below $80
Long-term US oil prices have slumped to record discounts versus Europe's benchmark Brent, with some contracts dropping below $80 in a dramatic downturn that may intensify producers' calls to ease…
Cotton growers concern on falling prices
IN line with the declining global commodity markets, cotton prices in Pakistan are also falling. The local cotton slumped to under Rs3, 000 per maund (37.32kg) on Nov 13 from…
Economy has been nursed to some semblance of health
There is some semblance of macroeconomic stability in Pakistan as inflation decreases, interest rates fall, and the currency stabilizes, primarily due to domestic and global high base effects. However, achieving…
Beyond stabilisation: challenges and opportunities
The IMF board has finally approved a $7 billion package, with the first tranche already disbursed. Economic stabilization appears to be secured. However, this is neither the first IMF programme…
Transforming maturity profile of domestic debt
Inflation is falling rapidly, nearing a four-year low, with FY25 (July 2024–June 2025) average inflation expected to fall within the SBP’s medium-term target of 5-7 percent. The tight monetary and…
