Business
SBP working on exchange, interest rates for stability: FinMin | The Express Tribune
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has stated that the State Bank of Pakistan is working on the exchange rate and interest rate, and the situation is expected to improve further.
The federal finance minister inaugurated the Job and Education Expo at the Expo Centre, Karachi, organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council. At the expo, around 120 stalls were set up by various institutions and companies for students.
Speaking to the media, Aurangzeb expressed gratitude to the organisers, saying that he had the opportunity to meet the country’s future leadership here. He noted that both public and private institutions were present at the job fair, but the absence of the corporate sector was felt.
He said that technology is the path to the future. Youth should work with their hearts and minds, and always strive for excellence.
Speaking about the Independence Day celebration of the “Marka-e-Haq,” the finance minister said that followers of all religions in the country commemorated it with great spirit.
Read: PM pushes for cashless, digital economy
He added that the corporate sector needs to step forward. Interest rate should not be made the single-point agenda.
In order to promote working capital, Pakistan must look beyond banks and include capital markets as well. He emphasised that the debt capital market also needs to be shifted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange mechanism for greater efficiency.
Aurangzeb highlighted that the circular debt in the power sector is declining, with three distribution companies (DISCOs) set to be privatised soon. He added that the government is also working to resolve circular debt in the gas sector, which has long been a burden on the economy.
On monetary policy, the minister clarified that the government has no role in setting interest rates, as this falls under the mandate of the State Bank of Pakistan. He said the exchange rate would continue to be determined by the market. Pakistan already has funding available, he noted, and the challenge now is to put those resources to effective use.
He praised Mustafa Kamal’s efforts in population control and underlined the importance of women’s economic participation, saying it could be a key driver in eradicating poverty. Aurangzeb confirmed that discussions with the World Bank regarding funding to support such initiatives have already taken place.
The finance minister said the IMF’s review mission would soon arrive in Pakistan under the ongoing 37-month programme, adding that the government remains in constant contact with the Fund. Looking ahead, he expressed optimism that by 2047 Pakistan’s economic situation would be that of a developed nation.
Aurangzeb also pointed to Pakistan’s strong anti–money laundering laws, which he said had enabled the country’s removal from the FATF grey list. He expressed confidence that Pakistan would remain off the list going forward.
Speaking on the recent rainfall damage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said his immediate priority was helping and rehabilitating affected people, while it was still too early to estimate the scale of losses.
When asked about traders’ demand for a new province, the finance minister refrained from giving a direct response.
There is no button for growth; the real thinking should be about sustainable growth. The role of the government is to provide an enabling environment. Public-private partnerships are working successfully. We are moving toward the AI world, and there is no room for doubt that we must move forward.
The finance minister said that ups and downs keep coming, but talent remains unaffected. Economic stability has now been achieved in the country.
The three major rating agencies are positive about Pakistan. The State Bank is working on the exchange rate and interest rate, and as stability increases, the situation will improve further.
Business
Gurugram Attracts Rs 86,588 Crore In Real Estate Investments In 2025 As RERA Clears 131 Projects
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Alongside rising investments, Gurugram RERA strengthened regulatory oversight to safeguard homebuyer and investor interests
Gurgaon Real Estate (Representative Image)
Gurugram emerged as one of India’s top real estate investment destinations in 2025, with projects worth Rs 86,588 crore receiving regulatory approvals during the year, according to data from the Gurugram Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Gurugram RERA).
Market observers said the numbers reflect strong investor confidence in the NCR’s largest commercial and residential hub.
Gurugram RERA registered 131 projects in calendar year 2025, representing development potential of 35,455 units across housing and commercial segments.
A striking feature of the data was the dominance of large-ticket projects. Just 28 major developments accounted for investments worth Rs 59,360 crore, highlighting the growing influence of institutional capital and large developers in shaping Gurugram’s property market.
Residential assets continued to attract the bulk of investment interest. Of the total units approved, 31,455 were residential, underscoring sustained end-user demand and long-term confidence in the city’s housing fundamentals.
According to Authority data, the residential mix included 17,405 group housing units, 5,720 mixed land use units, 4,040 residential floor units, 2,122 affordable group housing units, 1,954 units under the Deen Dayal housing scheme, and 214 residential plotted colony units.
Market observers said this diversified supply pipeline indicates capital deployment across both premium and mass segments, helping reduce concentration risk and deepen market resilience.
On the commercial side, Gurugram RERA approved about 4,000 commercial units, of which 168 were dedicated to IT parks, reinforcing Gurugram’s position as a preferred hub for technology firms and Global Capability Centres.
Analysts noted that the combination of office-led employment growth and residential expansion continues to make Gurugram attractive for long-term capital deployment.
Industry experts said the scale of investments approved in 2025 highlights Gurugram’s ability to attract capital despite global uncertainty, supported by infrastructure growth, a strong corporate base and an improving regulatory environment.
“With a large pipeline of approved projects and sustained interest from developers and institutional investors, Gurugram is expected to remain a key real estate investment destination in the coming years,” a Gurugram-based real estate expert said.
Tighter regulatory checks
Alongside rising investments, Gurugram RERA strengthened regulatory oversight to enhance transparency and safeguard homebuyer and investor interests.
“These steps included stricter scrutiny of developer submissions, mandatory site inspections by domain experts, and public consultation through mandatory notices before project registration,” an Authority official said.
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January 16, 2026, 07:44 IST
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National Startup Day highlights India’s thriving startup ecosystem, celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation driven by founders, unicorns and Startup India mission
National Startup Day 2026 honours Indian startups, entrepreneurs and innovators driving economic growth and job creation.
National Startup Day 2026: India’s startup ecosystem has evolved into one of the world’s most vibrant and promising innovation hubs. To recognise the contribution of entrepreneurs, founders and startups transforming ideas into impactful solutions, National Startup Day is observed every year on January 16 across the country.
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, the day celebrates visionary entrepreneurs who play a crucial role in economic growth, employment generation and technological advancement.
National Startup Day serves as a reminder that innovation, backed by determination and policy support, can reshape society and create global impact.
National Startup Day 2026 Theme
The official theme for National Startup Day 2026 is yet to be announced. However, the core focus areas are expected to revolve around:
- Innovation and emerging technologies
- Entrepreneurship and leadership
- Self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat)
- Startup India Mission
- Youth empowerment
- Job creation
How Startups Are Shaping India’s Future
India currently ranks as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with over 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of early 2025. Backed by 100+ unicorns, the ecosystem continues to grow rapidly.
Metro cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi-NCR lead this expansion, while Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are emerging as new innovation centres, adding diversity and scale to India’s entrepreneurial journey.
Startups across fintech, edtech, health-tech, e-commerce and deep-tech are addressing real-world challenges and gaining global recognition. Technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain and IoT are increasingly driving innovation, according to Startup India ecosystem reports.
Industry-Wise Startup Impact
DPIIT-recognised startups have generated over 16.6 lakh direct jobs across sectors as of October 31, 2024, strengthening India’s employment landscape.
- IT Services: 2.04 lakh jobs
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: 1.47 lakh jobs
- Commercial & Professional Services: 94,000 jobs
Through the Startup India initiative, the government continues to focus on skill development, funding access, ecosystem collaboration and global outreach.
Key Initiatives Under Startup India
- Capacity building and mentorship
- Outreach and awareness programmes
- Ecosystem development events
- International exposure and global linkages
- Collaboration between startups, corporates and institutions.
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January 16, 2026, 07:00 IST
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The government on Thursday kept petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices unchanged at Rs253.17 per litre and Rs257.08 per litre respectively, for the coming fortnight, starting from January 16.
This decision was notified in a press release issued by the Petroleum Division.
Earlier, it was expected that the prices of all petroleum products would go down by up to Rs4.50 per litre (over 1pc each) today in view of variation in the international market.
Petrol is primarily used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers, and directly impacts the budgets of the middle and lower-middle classes.
Meanwhile, most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary, as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains, and agricultural engines such as trucks, buses, tractors, tube wells, and threshers, and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables.
The government is currently charging about Rs100 per litre on petrol and about Rs97 per litre on diesel.
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Gurugram Attracts Rs 86,588 Crore In Real Estate Investments In 2025 As RERA Clears 131 Projects
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