ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that his government is undertaking efforts to improve telecommunication services and ensure Internet access in remote areas, his office said, adding that the move would increase IT exports and freelancers countywide.
Pakistan’s government has been accused of stifling dissent by rights activists and the opposition with what they call restrictive measures. These include the blocking of social media platform X and the banning of virtual private networks (VPNs) last year.
The government also confirmed its move to install a national firewall last year to regulate content online, saying its moves were aimed at regulating content online to make cyberspace safe for people. This caused Internet speeds to slow down considerably across the country, inviting criticism and anger from freelancers and IT experts.
“We are working to increase the number of IT exports and freelancers in the country by improving telecommunication services and providing Internet access to remote areas,” Sharif was quoted as saying by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The Pakistani premier was chairing a meeting of the Economic Advisory Council, an independent body that advises the prime minister on economic policies and affairs.
Sharif praised his economic team for its efforts to ensure growth in the country, saying that his government is determined to work harder for sustainable economic development.
He said his economic team would take “full advantage” of Pakistan’s current potential for trade in the region and enable local industries to compete in the international market.
“Development of industry, agriculture, IT, generating employment and increasing exports are among the top priorities of the government,” he said.
Participants of the meeting said the country’s economy was heading toward economic stability, adding that Pakistan’s production had increased due to price stability, the PMO said.
The PMO said that the meeting’s participants presented various suggestions to Sharif relating to various sectors.
“The prime minister directed relevant authorities to work with council members to formulate a comprehensive action plan regarding the suggestions,” the PMO said.
Pakistan says improving telecom services to increase IT exports, freelancers countrywide
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Pakistan says improving telecom services to increase IT exports, freelancers countrywide
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs Economic Advisory Council meeting in Islamabad
- Rights activists, opposition accuse government of throttling Internet to suppress dissent
Pakistan stocks rebound on easing regional tensions, gain over 1,500 points
- The development came after Iran said it was keeping communication channels with Washington open amid cost-of-living protests
- It followed a threat by President Donald Trump last week to intervene militarily if Tehran continued cracking down on protesters
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) edged higher on Tuesday as the benchmark index gained more than 1,500 points, with analysts citing easing regional tensions following signals of potential talks between Iran and the United States (US).
The benchmark KSE-100 index gained 1,567.36 points, or 0.86 percent, to close at 183,951.50 points, compared to the previous close of 182,384.14 points when the market had shed more than 2,000 points, according to PSX data.
Iran has been witnessing public unrest over worsening economic conditions. Around 2,000 people, including security personnel, have been killed in violent protests, Reuters reported, citing an Iranian official.
Tehran said on Monday that it was keeping communication channels with Washington open as US President Donald Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on countries trading with the Islamic republic.
“Stocks showed sharp recovery at PSX after Iran and US signal talks over unrest in Iran,” Ahsan Mehanti, chief executive officer at Arif Habib Commodities, told Arab News.
“Surging global crude oil prices and speculations ahead of corporate results in the earnings season played a catalyst role in bullish close.”
Najeeb Ahmed Khan Warsi, digital and retail business officer at Al-Habib Capital Market, said the index had seen a three-day bearish streak.
“Geopolitics and global volatility driving downturn, profit-taking and economic concerns weigh in,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pakistani market research firm Topline Securities said the benchmark index ended the session on a “positive note” on Tuesday.
“Trading interest remained subdued, as total market volumes reached 1,033 million shares, while the value of shares traded stood at Rs62.9 billion,” it said in a daily market review on X.
United Bank Limited (UBL), National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Muslim Commercial Bank Limited (MCB), Lucky Cement Limited (LUCK) and Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL) jointly contributed 936 points to the index, according to the research firm.
Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited (FFC), Sazgar Engineering Works Limited (SAZEW) and Haleon Pakistan Limited (HALEON) collectively shaved 158 points off the index.
“Bank of Punjab (BOP) led the volume rankings, emerging as the most actively traded stock with 73 million shares,” Topline Securities added.
