Business
IMF seeks Pakistan’s plan to reduce power theft, losses amid bailout review | The Express Tribune
The International Monetary Fund has asked Pakistan to submit detailed proposals aimed at curbing electricity theft, reducing line losses, and cutting capacity charges, as talks between the two sides continue under the second economic review of the ongoing bailout programme.
The discussions are part of efforts to secure the release of a $1 billion tranche under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and an additional $220 million under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
Sources told Express Tribune that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also demanded clarity from the federal government regarding the shortfall in provincial surplus targets, which stood at Rs921 billion against a target of Rs1,200 billion for the fiscal year. Punjab posted a surplus of Rs348 billion, Sindh Rs283 billion, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Rs176 billion, and Balochistan Rs114 billion. The K-P government is expected to brief the IMF separately between September 29 and October 1.
Read More: Pakistan tells IMF it will miss tax goal
The development comes as Pakistan informed the IMF on Friday that it is unlikely to meet the Rs3.1 trillion tax collection target for the current quarter, according to briefings by tax authorities.
In a separate meeting, officials from the Power Division briefed the visiting IMF mission on the status of energy sector reforms. The Fund reportedly expressed concerns over inefficiencies, including high system losses and expensive capacity payments made to underutilised power plants.
To address these issues, the federal government assured the IMF that it plans to eliminate the circular debt ahead of the six-year deadline previously agreed. Authorities claimed that the stock of circular debt has already been reduced to Rs397 billion, down from earlier projections of Rs635 billion. They added that consumers would not face an additional burden, as payments would continue through an existing surcharge of Rs3.23 per unit.
Also Read: FBR removes ‘estimated market value’ column from 2025 tax return form
The Fund was also updated on ongoing negotiations with independent power producers (IPPs) and the privatisation process of three profitable electricity distribution companies. The government shared plans to utilise surplus electricity for industrial consumption and cryptocurrency mining, while reaffirming its commitment to transferring control of loss-making entities to the private sector.
The briefing further covered plans to restructure Rs660 billion in legacy debt and raise Rs565 billion in new financing as part of the upcoming loan package. Officials expressed optimism that the measures would help stabilise the energy sector and restore investor confidence.
Business
E to E Transportation Infra IPO Day 2: GMP At 83%; Issue Receives 123.77x Subscription So Far
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Unlisted shares of E to E Transportation Infra are trading at Rs 319 apiece in the grey market, which is 83% premium over the issue price of Rs 174, indicating a strong listing.
E to E Transportation Infrastructure IPO.
E to E Transportation Infrastructure IPO GMP: The initial public offering (IPO) of E to E Transportation Infrastructure Ltd witnessed its second day of bidding today, Monday, December 29. The price band of the Rs 84.22-crore IPO has been fixed in the range of Rs 164 and Rs 174. Till 5:40 pm on the second day of bidding on Monday, the IPO received a total of 123.77 times subscription, garnering bids for 39,83,49,600 shares as against 32,18,400 shares on offer.
Its retail category got a 166.21x subscription, while its non-institutional investor (NII) quota got a 181.29x subscription. Its qualified institutional buyer (QIB) category has received a 6.32x subscription.
E to E Transportation Infrastructure IPO GMP Today
According to market observers, unlisted shares of E to E Transportation Infrastructure Ltd are currently trading at Rs 319 apiece in the grey market, which is a 83.33 per cent premium over the issue price of Rs 174, indicating a strong listing. Its listing will take place on January 2, Friday, on the NSE’s SME platform.
The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. ‘Grey market premium’ indicates investors’ readiness to pay more than the issue price.
E to E Transportation Infrastructure IPO: More Details
E to E Transportation Infrastructure’s Rs 84.22-crore initial public offering is a book-built issue consisting entirely of a fresh issuance of 0.48 crore equity shares. The IPO opened for subscription on December 26, 2025, and will close on December 30, 2025, with allotment expected to be finalised on December 31. The company is slated to make its debut on the NSE SME platform on January 2, 2026.
The price band for the issue has been fixed at Rs 164-Rs 174 per share. Investors can apply in lots of 800 shares. At the upper end of the band, retail investors are required to invest a minimum of Rs 2.78 lakh for two lots (1,600 shares), while high-net-worth individuals must bid for at least three lots (2,400 shares), translating to an investment of Rs 4.18 lakh.
Hem Securities Ltd is acting as the book-running lead manager to the issue, while MUFG Intime India Pvt Ltd has been appointed as the registrar. Hem Finlease Pvt Ltd will serve as the market maker.
Incorporated in 2010, E to E Transportation Infrastructure is an ISO 9001:2015-certified company that provides system integration and engineering solutions for the railway sector.
The company reported a 47% jump in revenue and a 36% rise in profit after tax in FY25 compared with the previous financial year.
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December 29, 2025, 10:23 IST
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Business
Industrial production at two-year high! IIP records 6.7% growth in November; fueled by mining, manufacturing sectors – The Times of India
The country’s industrial output reached a two-year highk, growing by 6.7 per cent in November, according to the official Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data released Monday.This marks an improvement from the 5 per cent growth recorded in November last year, according to data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The surge was largely because of strong performances in mining and manufacturing sectors. “The growth is led by Manufacture of basic metals and fabricated metal products, pharmaceuticals and motor vehicles,” stated the ogvernment press release.The manufacturing sector led the growth surge, expanding by 8 per cent, up from 5.5 per cent in the same month last year. Mining also recorded huge gains, rising by 5.4 per cent compared to 1.9 per cent a year ago.However, not all sectors showed growth. The electricity sector faced challenges, with production dropping by 1.5 per cent, as compared to the 4.4 per cent growth seen in the same period last year.Looking at the broader picture, the NSO also revised October industrial production growth slightly upward to 0.5 per cent from the earlier estimate of 0.4 per cent. The current growth rate is still below the 11.9 per cent peak of November 2023.The overall industrial growth for April-November has slowed down. The growth rate stands at 3.3 per cent, slightly lower than the 4.1 per cent recorded in the same period last year.
Business
Post-GST Relief, Indians Opt For Bigger Health Covers And Longer Policies In 2025: Policybazaar Data
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Policybazaar reports GST removal boosted average sum insured in India to Rs 19 lakh, with rising demand for higher health, term, motor, and travel insurance.
Health, Term, Motor Insurance See Strong Uptick in 2025 After GST Relief
The average sum insured in India increased from Rs 14.5 lakh to Rs 19 lakh after GST removal on the insurance premium, according to Policybazaar report ‘Decoding India’s Financial Behavior in 2025’.
Buyers are now opting for higher sum insured health policies post GST removal, with the demand rising 47 per cent for Rs 10-25 lakh covers and 85 per cent for Rs 25 lakh and above covers, the report added.
Buyers increasingly opted for longer protection periods, reflected in the higher selection of 4-year and 5-year health insurance policies. 4-year and 5-year tenures increased by 56 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively.
Similarly, policies with sum insured below Rs 10 lakh declined by 29 per cent year-on-year.
The GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising ministers from all states, on Wednesday had decided to exempt health and life insurance premiums from the levy of goods and services tax (GST), from September 22, 2025.
Term Insurance Demand Grows 37%
In term insurance, demand grew 37% in 2025, led by buyers aged 25–40 years. Rs 1 crore emerged as the most popular cover, while higher sums are gradually gaining ground. Salaried individuals dominated purchases, and while men accounted for 80% of buyers, women showed a stronger preference for critical illness riders—pointing to more need-based choices.
Premium On Motor Insurance Jumps 200%
Motor insurance reflected changing mobility trends. Electric vehicle insurance purchases grew nearly 2.5 times year-on-year, with premiums surging about 200%. Add-ons such as roadside assistance and zero depreciation are becoming standard, especially for new vehicles. Pay-as-you-drive policies also saw meaningful adoption among urban users, offering savings for low-mileage drivers.
Travel Insurance Becomes Must-Have
Travel insurance shifted from optional to essential. Policy issuance rose 15%, with travellers opting for higher covers, especially for the US and Canada. Senior citizens emerged as an important growth segment, accounting for 15% of insured travellers.
Millennials Are On Fore Front
On the investment front, millennials led participation, with under-35 investors now forming 25% of retirement product buyers. Longer tenures of 20 years or more are increasingly preferred, reflecting patience and long-term thinking.
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December 29, 2025, 14:35 IST
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