Pakistan has registered 144 olive startups as part of a decade-long government initiative aimed at developing the olive sector.

Olive Promotional Programme National Project Director Dr Muhammad Tariq told Wealth Pakistan that the sector had recorded rapid growth over the past 10 years due to sustained government backing.

“Ten years ago, when the government started this programme, we had only one entrepreneur. Today, we have 144 startups and entrepreneurs. It is a very fast-growing sector,” he said.

Tariq noted that the government’s continued support had played a central role in transforming the olive sector into a viable agro-industry. The federal minister for national food security has also taken steps to strengthen the sector by pursuing Pakistan’s full membership at the International Olive Council. “Hopefully, there will be progress within three months,” he said.

Silver prices climbed to fresh lifetime highs in both domestic and international markets on Friday, driven by strong global cues and thin year-end trading, according to the All India Sarafa Association.In the national capital, silver soared by Rs 9,350 to close at a record Rs 2,36,350 per kilogram on Friday, up from Rs 2,27,000 per kg in the previous session, PTI reported. Over the past four trading sessions, the metal has gained Rs 32,250, or 15.8%, from Rs 2,04,100 per kg on December 19.For the calendar year, silver has recorded an even sharper rise, adding Rs 1,46,650, or 163.5%, from Rs 89,700 per kg on December 31, 2024.Meanwhile, gold maintained its upward momentum in the local bullion market. The precious metal of 99.9% purity jumped Rs 1,500 to touch a new lifetime high of Rs 1,42,300 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), compared with Rs 1,40,800 per 10 grams in the previous session. On a year-to-date basis, gold has gained Rs 63,350, or 80.24%, from Rs 78,950 per 10 grams at the end of 2024.“The precious metals rally continued on the last trading day of the week, with gold and silver reaching new record highs once again,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst – Commodities at HDFC Securities, said, PTI quoted..In overseas markets, benchmark spot gold rose $50.87, or 1.13%, to hit a fresh lifetime high of $4,530.42 per ounce.“Gold continues to trade at a record high of $4,530 per ounce, buoyed by Fed rate cut expectations and a positive undertone in the commodities market. Thin trading conditions due to the year-end holidays are exaggerating the moves,” Praveen Singh, Head of Commodities and Currencies at Mirae Asset ShareKhan, said.Silver also extended its rally abroad. Spot silver climbed $3.72, or 5.18%, to touch a new high of $75.63 per ounce, breaking past the $75 per ounce mark for the first time.“Spot silver hit a high of $75 during Asian trading hours on Friday. The strong bullish momentum has attracted more momentum-driven traders, who have been active in the precious metals market since early December,” Gandhi added, noting that low liquidity around the Christmas and year-end holiday season has intensified price moves.Structural factors are also supporting silver’s advance, analysts said. Jigar Trivedi, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities, pointed to a multi-year supply deficit, with global mine output lagging demand and above-ground inventories declining.“Structural tightness in the physical market could support much higher prices if deficits deepen,” Trivedi said, highlighting silver’s crucial role in sectors such as solar panels, electric vehicles, 5G and AI electronics, and other clean-tech infrastructure.He also noted that a weak US dollar and rising safe-haven demand could push silver prices toward $100 per ounce in 2026.