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Stakeholders for road infrastructure upgrade | The Express Tribune

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KARACHI:

Leading builders and exporters have urged that before hastily imposing the Axle Load Regime of the National Highway Safety Ordinance (NHSO) 2000 based on international rules, the government must prioritise building road infrastructure in compliance with international standards.

They made these remarks during discussions with The Express Tribune, reiterating that if the government is advocating for the adoption of international rules, it should also adhere to international standards for local road infrastructure as well.

Hanif Gohar, a leading builder and former chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD), explained why industrialists are opposed to the Axle Load Regime (ALR), stating that its implementation would increase the cost of doing business, which is already beyond the reach of many entrepreneurs in the country. He highlighted that inflation has eroded consumers’ purchasing power, and the burden of transportation costs would ultimately be borne by end-users. Gohar stressed that rather than imposing the ALR, the government should focus on maintaining deteriorating roads. He criticised the government for shifting the responsibility to businesspeople due to its failure to ensure proper road infrastructure in the country.

He noted that local industries are already shutting down, and there is an additional burden on the pockets of businessmen due to rising transportation fares. He urged the government to formulate a business-friendly policy instead of further burdening and distressing the business community, which is already grappling with struggling enterprises.

The former chairman of ABAD remarked that in foreign countries, larger trailers carrying heavy loads traverse roads with excellent infrastructure, ensuring smooth travel for all stakeholders, including consumers, commuters, drivers, and businesspeople. However, he lamented that policies in our country are frequently changing.

Site Association of Industry (SAI), President, Muhammad Kamran Arbi criticised the government for adopting a unilateral approach without involving key stakeholders. He underscored that without a holistic approach that considers all perspectives, it will be challenging to successfully implement the policy.

Arbi highlighted that apart from the escalating import bill, implementing the ALR will lead to various consequences, including an increase in double goods vehicles, fuel costs, and tire expenses. He pointed out that many items incur higher transportation costs than the actual value of the goods being transported. Additionally, perishable items such as fruits and vegetables will have a shorter shelf life, as goods vehicles are permitted to transport goods from 11 pm to 7 am due to traffic congestion in the city, leading to potential spoilage. He noted that implementing the ALR would not bolster the struggling local automotive industry.

Conversely, another industrialist advocated for implementing the ALR with certain conditions.

All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Vice Chairman, Naveed Ahmed stressed that the rules of the ALR should align with global best practices and principles universally followed. He stated that if the existing ALR complies with international standards, it should be implemented and enforced without discrimination.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2024.

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Pakistan

Suzuki Bolan discontinued in Pakistan after 36 years; Here’s replacement for ‘Carry Dabba’ – Pakistan Observer

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LAHORE – Finally, it’s time to say goodbye to the iconic Suzuki Bolan as Pak Suzuki pulled plugs to replace the minivan with another model. Over the last 3.5 decades, Suzuki Bolan enjoyed decent sales and was valued for its flexibility, serving a multi-passenger vehicle and for commercial purposes.

Amid shift in auto landscape in Pakistan, Bolan becomes latest drive to be discontinued after Suzuki Mehran, which you can still spot.

Pictures of Suzuki Bolan’s last batch surfaced online, and Pakistanis hit nostalgia as many grew up in this vehicle. The final chassis number marked as 01151691. The country’s oldest automaker and maker of Bolan also confirmed discontinuation of the 800cc Carry Dabba.

The company decided to replace Bolan for its outdated design and lack of safety features. Amid its low sales, consumer demand for a modern replacement like Changan Karvaan increased.

Suzuki Every to Replace Bolan

Suzuki earlier mentioned that Every will replace Bolan, and one of its recent model was unveiled at a recent auto show.

The launch of Every models faced delays due to import challenges and it is expected to launch in mid October.

Suzuki Bolan Price in Pakistan

 

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Pakistan

Gold prices reach historic high in Pakistan – Pakistan Observer

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Your source for latest Pakistan, world news. Stay updated on politics, business, sports, lifestyle, CPEC, and breaking news. Accurate, timely, and comprehensive coverage.

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Pakistan

Stocks rally past 82,000 mark as investors bet on IMF deal approval

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A man uses a mobile phone as he takes a photo of the electronic board displaying share prices during a trading session at the Pakistan Stock Exchange, on November 28, 2023. — Reuters

Stocks hit a record high on Friday, with the benchmark index topping the 82,000 mark as investors binged on big names amid forecasts of a further drop in inflation, strengthening the case for another rate cut by the State Bank of Pakistan in its next monetary policy meeting, traders said.

The KSE-100 index jumped by 615.16 points, or 0.76%, to reach 82,074.44 from its previous close of 81,459.28.

The index, fuelled by buying activity in heavyweight shares, rallied nearly 900 points during the opening hours of trading before succumbing to profit-taking in the latter half of the session, trimming early gains.

Analysts attributed this bull run to expectations of a sharp drop in inflation and interest rates. They added that government securities now have a kinked yield curve, with 2-year and 5-year yields above the 3-year yield.

Buying activity was seen in key sectors, including cement, commercial banks, fertiliser, and refineries, with index-heavy stocks such as MEBL, UBL, ENGRO, and FFC trading in the green.

Experts added that part of the positivity comes from investors anticipating the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board’s approval.

The IMF is scheduled to review Pakistan’s 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF), amounting to about $7 billion, on September 25.

On Thursday, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) rose on improved local macroeconomic indicators and a larger-than-expected reduction by the Federal Reserve, with the KSE-100 index closing at 81,459.29, a gain of 997.95 points or 1.24%.

Meanwhile, world stocks hovered near record highs on Friday, underpinned by a big interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve earlier this week, while the yen eased after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda tempered market expectations around imminent rate hikes, according to Reuters.

The dollar climbed 1.2% on the Japanese currency to 144.29 – its strongest in two weeks – on the back of Ueda’s remarks, having earlier fallen around 0.6% to 141.74 after the BOJ kept interest rates steady in a widely expected move.

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PSX surges 1,510 points, crosses 81,000 mark amid positive economic signals – Pakistan Observer

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KARACHI –  Pakistan Stock Exchange on Thursday experienced a major surge of 1,510 points which resulted in the index crossing the 81,000-point level, rising to 81,971 points.

The factors such as expectations of receiving approval for a loan program from the IMF this month, a gradual reduction in the external financial gap and loan-related difficulties, a growth of 2.38% in large-scale industries, and the Asian Development Bank’s indication of providing $8 billion in loans over the next four years contributed to this bullish trend in the Pakistan Stock Exchange, allowing the index to surpass the psychological level of 81,000 points.

Besides it, the State Bank’s decision to reduce interest rates by 2% has positively impacted capital market activities while recoveries in the textile, food, chemical, auto, and garments sectors have kept the market in the green zone since the start of trading.

 

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