Pakistan has secured a payment of approximately $3 billion from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), part of a total $4.8 billion payment settlement to be made by June. According to government sources, Pakistan has been assured of a total payment of over $5 billion from two friendly countries. This development comes as Islamabad is engaged in negotiations with the UAE to clear outstanding dues.
In a statement, government sources revealed that the UAE will receive $3.5 billion in three different installments. The first installment, which includes a 10-year euro bond valued at $1.3 billion, will be made this week. The bond will mature and be repaid within the same week.
In the meantime, Pakistan is grappling with rising inflation. The Ministry of Commerce has reported a significant increase in textile imports, while the country’s currency market is witnessing a surge in the price of gold. The government has announced a three-month power package, which includes a 23% increase in electricity consumption by industrial and agricultural sectors between December 2025 and February 2026.
The prices of petroleum products have also risen, with a kilogram of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) selling for over $5.30 in some districts. The government has announced measures to curb the sale of LPG at inflated prices, including the launch of a crackdown on dealers and shopkeepers selling the fuel at excessive rates.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has witnessed a decline in the 100 Index, which closed at 150,398 points last week, down from 1,308 points in the previous week. The Vice Chairman of the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Association, Nauman Butt, has warned of further price increases in petroleum products.
In a related development, the Federal Bureau of Statistics has released a weekly report on inflation, which shows a significant increase in the prices of essential commodities, including food and fuel. The prices of diesel, petrol, and LPG have all risen, with some districts witnessing a 48.61% increase in the price of petrol and a 101.18% increase in the price of diesel.
The government has also announced measures to curb the sale of LPG at inflated prices, including the launch of a crackdown on dealers and shopkeepers selling the fuel at excessive rates. The prices of diesel and petrol are also expected to rise further, which may lead to an increase in airfare.
In a separate development, the Chairman of the Pakistan Public Transport Owners Association has urged the government to reverse its decision to increase the price of diesel. The association has also demanded that the government take immediate action to curb the sale of LPG at inflated prices.
In a related development, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, has chaired a meeting to discuss the prices of petroleum products. The meeting has resulted in a decision to close bakeries, restaurants, and wedding halls at 10 PM, with the decision to take effect from April 7.
In a separate development, the Israeli media has reported that the Israeli defense system has been ineffective in the face of continuous attacks from different directions. The Israeli government has announced that it will take time to load interceptors to counter the attacks.
In a related development, a US Congress member has compared the Sharif University of Technology with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.
In a tragic incident, a popular Tamil actress, Sobhasini Balasubramanian, was found dead in her rented apartment in Chennai, India. The 36-year-old actress was known for her role in the popular TV serial ‘Kalyanam’. Her sudden death has sent shockwaves among her colleagues and fans.
In a separate development, a US newspaper has reported that two American aircraft were damaged during a mission in the Middle East. The aircraft had landed on an inactive airbase and were damaged due to the impact, resulting in the need to destroy them.
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