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Gold Prices in Pakistan Surge Amid Global Market Trends – July 15, 2025

MInahil Abbasi
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Gold Prices in Pakistan Surge Amid Global Market Trends – July 15, 2025

Gold prices in Pakistan continued their upward trajectory on July 15, 2025, as the rate for 24-karat gold reached Rs. 360,900 per tola. The 10-gram rate for 24K gold was Rs. 309,420, while 22K gold was priced at Rs. 330,825 per tola and Rs. 283,633 per 10 grams. These rates remained consistent across major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi.

In Rawalpindi’s local market, the price for 24K gold stood at Rs. 359,700 per tola, while 22K was being traded at Rs. 329,811. The slight fluctuations in regional markets are primarily due to local demand and dealer premiums.

Over the past year, gold has shown a significant upward trend, recording nearly a 44% increase. This surge is attributed to international market movements, currency depreciation, and investors seeking safer assets amidst economic uncertainty.

Pakistan’s gold rate on July 15 hit Rs. 360,900/tola for 24K and Rs. 330,825 for 22K, reflecting a consistent upward trend across cities. Rawalpindi saw slightly lower prices. Gold has risen 44% year-over-year, driven by global trends, currency shifts, and local investment patterns.

Gold prices Pakistan, 24K gold rate, Rawalpindi gold market

PTA Targets LDI Firms Over Rs. 80B Dues

MInahil Abbasi
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PTA Targets LDI Firms Over Rs. 80B Dues

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is preparing to take decisive action against Long Distance and International (LDI) license holders who have failed to pay their outstanding dues, which have now reached Rs. 80 billion. These dues include Access Promotion Contributions (APC) for Universal Service Fund and other regulatory charges, some pending for over a decade.

Out of 19 LDI companies, 15 have been served show-cause notices and are facing potential license suspension or cancellation. The PTA has concluded hearings and is currently reviewing responses. The situation has become urgent due to the financial implications and the long-standing non-compliance by these companies, which impacts the country’s telecom regulatory environment and revenue collection.The authority is expected to finalize and announce its decisions in the coming weeks, which may set a precedent for enforcement of telecom regulations in Pakistan. Strict action is likely against those who have shown no willingness to comply or resolve their dues.

PTA is under pressure to ensure accountability while also balancing the impact on international call services and the broader telecom sector.

Unpaid dues cross Rs. 80 billion as PTA concludes hearings on LDI licensees’ non-compliance,telecom regulatory crackdown,PTA enforcement decisions

Maryam Nawaz Emerges as Top-Rated Chief Minister in Pakistan

MInahil Abbasi
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Maryam Nawaz Emerges as Top-Rated Chief Minister in Pakistan

According to a comprehensive survey conducted across 36 districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has received the highest approval rating among provincial leaders. 62% of respondents expressed satisfaction with Punjab’s government, while 59% specifically approved of Maryam Nawaz’s performance. The public gave her high marks in education (73%), healthcare (68%), and infrastructure development (66%). However, employment remained a weak area, with 63% of people dissatisfied with job creation efforts.

Interestingly, 60% of respondents in Punjab believed that Maryam Nawaz performed better than all other chief ministers across Pakistan. Moreover, over half of those surveyed stated that governance under her leadership had improved significantly compared to the previous PTI-led administration.

In contrast, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has not yet been evaluated in a similar public survey. While his government claims achievements such as a ₨176 billion budget surplus, hundreds of development projects, and expansion of healthcare programs, the lack of public feedback prevents a direct comparison with Punjab’s performance.

59% rated Maryam Nawaz’s performance positively, Punjab’s governance praised in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, while job creation lags behind.
Maryam-Nawaz, public-approval, CM-performance

Government Raises Sugar Prices to Rs165/kg, Plans Import to Stabilize Market

MInahil Abbasi
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Government Raises Sugar Prices to Rs165/kg, Plans Import to Stabilize Market

The Pakistani government has officially raised the ex-mill sugar price to Rs165 per kilogram after consultations with sugar industry stakeholders. This marks a Rs25 increase from the previous ex-mill rate. The move comes amid concerns of sugar shortages and soaring retail prices across major urban centers.

To address the growing crisis, the government has approved the import of 500,000 metric tons of sugar. This large-scale import is intended to stabilize the domestic market, where retail sugar prices have already shot up to between Rs190 and Rs210 per kilogram in cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.

One of the primary reasons for this price surge is the halting of sugar distribution by provincial food departments, along with allegations that sugar mills have deliberately slowed down or suspended supplies to create artificial shortages and profit from higher prices.

The Ministry of National Food Security and Research emphasized that this revised price is meant to ensure fair compensation to producers while also controlling hoarding and price gouging. Furthermore, provincial governments are tasked with monitoring and enforcing the new rates, ensuring that sugar remains available and affordable for the general public.

This price hike and import plan come at a time when inflation continues to burden ordinary citizens, making essential commodities increasingly unaffordable. Authorities are under pressure to ensure that both the pricing and availability of sugar are strictly regulated in the weeks ahead.

The government has raised the ex-mill sugar price to Rs165/kg, a Rs25 increase, and approved importing 500,000 tonnes to tackle shortages. Retail prices have surged to Rs210/kg due to halted distribution and hoarding. Provinces are now tasked with controlling prices and ensuring nationwide availability of sugar.

economy, sugar-prices, inflation

West Indies Collapse to Second-Lowest Total in Test History Against Ruthless Australia

MInahil Abbasi
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West Indies Collapse to Second-Lowest Total in Test History Against Ruthless Australia

Australia delivered a world-class performance in the latest Test match against West Indies, with their pace attack scripting history. The match saw Australia bowl out the visiting side for just 52 runs, marking a dominant victory and showcasing the strength of their fast-bowling unit.

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins led the charge with precision, skill, and aggression. Their fiery spell was a masterclass in seam bowling, drawing praise from cricketing legends and fans alike. The bowlers maintained consistent line and length, exploiting every weakness in the opposition’s batting lineup.

This commanding win not only solidified Australia’s position in the series but also reflected the team’s depth and preparation ahead of major upcoming tournaments. Cricket Australia has hailed the performance as one of the most clinical in recent memory, reinforcing Australia’s legacy as a dominant force in Test cricket.

Australia’s pacers demolish West Indies in stunning Test victory. The team’s bowling unit sets high standards with a display of skill, pace, and teamwork in a record-setting performance.
australia test win, mitchell starc bowling, west indies vs australia

PTA Cites PTCL-Telenor Merger Delay as Major Hurdle in Pakistan’s 5G Launch

MInahil Abbasi
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PTA Cites PTCL-Telenor Merger Delay as Major Hurdle in Pakistan’s 5G Launch

Pakistan’s long-awaited 5G rollout is facing fresh delays, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) attributing the holdup to the lack of progress in the PTCL-Telenor merger deal. The authority revealed that the uncertainty surrounding the acquisition is preventing the finalization of critical policy decisions—especially the planning and execution of spectrum auctions essential for 5G services.

The merger, expected to consolidate market operations and boost telecom investment, remains in limbo. PTA officials have stated that without clarity on the future structure and ownership of Telenor Pakistan, regulatory approvals and spectrum planning cannot proceed. As a result, the country’s ambitions for a modern digital infrastructure and enhanced mobile broadband are being pushed further down the line.

The delay is also unsettling investors and stakeholders in the telecom sector, as the lack of a clear direction impedes planning, network upgrades, and infrastructure expansion that are prerequisites for successful 5G deployment.

Pakistan’s 5G launch is stalled due to delays in the PTCL-Telenor merger. PTA says it cannot proceed with spectrum allocation or policy steps until the acquisition is clarified, impacting telecom growth and digital progress nationwide.
5G delay Pakistan, PTCL Telenor deal, telecom policy hurdles

Punjab Amplifies Youth Empowerment with ₹26 Billion for Skills & Entrepreneurship

MInahil Abbasi
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Punjab Amplifies Youth Empowerment with ₹26 Billion for Skills & Entrepreneurship

Punjab’s government, under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “CM Skilled Punjab” initiative, has allocated Rs 26 billion in the 2025‑26 fiscal budget to promote technical-vocational training and entrepreneurship. A newly formed Skills Development & Entrepreneurship Department will merge existing bodies like PSDF, TEVTA, PVTC, PSDA, and PBTE to streamline and unify skill development initiatives across the province.

The Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF), the country’s largest skills fund, will implement flagship programs such as:

  • Tabeer – Rs 2.7 billion allocated for over 2,500 international job placements.
  • Mein Digital – Rs 1 billion for training 3,000 rural women in digital skills.
  • Pehchan – Rs 870 million to provide skills training to 2,250 transgender individuals.

This strategic investment aims to empower youth, reduce unemployment, and enhance Pakistan’s skilled labor force for local and international markets.

Punjab commits Rs 26 billion to youth empowerment in 2025‑26, consolidating all technical-vocational bodies into one department. The funding fuels major PSDF programs: Tabeer for global placements, Mein Digital for rural women, and Pehchan for transgender skill training — targeting high-value local and international employment.
skills empowerment, vocational training, youth entrepreneurship

Sharjah Rolls Out Up to 35% Discount for Prompt Traffic Fine Payments

MInahil Abbasi
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Sharjah Rolls Out Up to 35% Discount for Prompt Traffic Fine Payments

Sharjah’s Executive Council, under Deputy Ruler Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem al‑Qasimi, has introduced a new initiative to ease motorists’ financial burden. Drivers who settle traffic fines within 60 days will receive a 35% discount on the penalty, impound charges, storage fees, and late-payment fees. Those paying between 61 days and one year receive a 25% discount, applicable only to the fine itself. Serious violations—such as heavy speeding, red-light jumping, mobile phone use while driving, pedestrian-related offences, and truck-related infractions—are excluded. The scheme aligns Sharjah with similar programs in other emirates and reinforces road safety efforts. Additionally, the Executive Council approved a 50% reduction in government fees for 88 entrepreneurial projects.

Drivers in Sharjah can now benefit from a 35% discount on traffic fines and associated fees if paid within 60 days; a 25% fine-only discount applies for payments made within a year. The scheme excludes serious violations and aims to encourage prompt settlements. The council also doubled down on supporting entrepreneurs.

discount, traffic fines, Sharjah

350 Smuggled Luxury Cars Sold via Fake Customs Auctions Across Pakistan

MInahil Abbasi
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350 Smuggled Luxury Cars Sold via Fake Customs Auctions Across Pakistan

A large-scale scam has come to light where 350 smuggled luxury vehicles were shown as “auctioned” using fake records. Corrupt customs officials, car dealers, and insiders manipulated the WeBOC system to generate false auction data, allowing illegal vehicles to be registered and sold without paying import duties.

The fraud involved several major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Multan. These vehicles were then officially registered through provincial excise offices, making recovery difficult. So far, only one Deputy Collector has been suspended, while calls grow louder for a full probe and crackdown on all involved parties.

Fake auctions legalized 350 luxury vehicles smuggled into Pakistan, involving customs officers and dealers. WeBOC system was misused to create fake bidders and records. Vehicles got registered without duties. Only one official suspended amid growing pressure for full investigation.

luxury car scam, customs fraud Pakistan, smuggling network

IMF Flags Pakistan’s Tax‑Free Sugar Import Plan

MInahil Abbasi
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IMF Flags Pakistan’s Tax‑Free Sugar Import Plan

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has strongly voiced its objections to Pakistan’s recent decision to import 500,000 metric tonnes of sugar under a near–zero tax regime. The government waived duties and slashed the sales tax from 21 percent to a mere 0.25 percent—coupled with a full duty exemption—arguing a food emergency and that the move was necessary to curb steep domestic prices induced by prior exports.

Yet this unprecedented waiver directly breaches Pakistan’s commitments under its $7 billion IMF loan program, which explicitly prohibits preferential tax treatments, including exemptions or zero-rated imports. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued notifications applying these concessions not only to state-backed imports via Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) but also to private-sector shipments.

Inside government, Ministry of Finance officials reportedly raised alarms with the Prime Minister’s Office, citing the tax exemptions as a violation of IMF directives. Despite this internal dissent, the cabinet moved ahead, issuing tenders for 300,000 MT of tax-free sugar imports, with bids due by July 18, 2025.

With sugar prices having surged to a record Rs200/kg, up from around Rs140 before the export surge, the government argues the tax reprieve was essential to stabilize the market. Forecasting a domestic shortfall of approximately 535,000 MT by October–November, authorities are now weighing whether to rescind the tax waiver for private importers or entirely cancel the TCP tender—but no decision has been finalized.

500,000 MT of sugar will enter Pakistan tax‑free to tame historic price spikes, prompting IMF objections over breach of its $7 billion program. Finance Ministry dissent emerged, but import tenders proceed amid uncertainty on reversing the waiver or halting imports.
economic policy, IMF‑Pakistan, sugar crisis

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