Entertainment
Pakistan’s GDP growth to reach 3.5% by 2027: Fitch
- Pakistani banks see stronger growth opportunities ahead: Fitch.
- Global rating agency cites improving overall business conditions.
- Says Pakistan’s recovery follows tough period of crisis.
Global credit rating agency Fitch has forecasted Pakistan’s real GDP growth at 3.5% by 2027, up from 2.5% in 2024, according to Fitch Ratings.
“Pakistan’s improved sovereign credit profile reinforces this view,” Fitch noted, referring to the upgrade of the country’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘B-‘/Stable from ‘CCC+’ in April 2025. The rating improvement was underpinned by ongoing economic recovery, reforms and improving fiscal performance.
The recovery comes after a particularly turbulent period for Pakistan’s economy. Inflation, which peaked at 38% in May 2023, has since eased to 4.1% in July 2025, with Fitch expecting it to average around 5% for the year.
Meanwhile, monetary policy has shifted in response to easing inflationary pressures. Since May 2024, Pakistan’s central bank has halved the policy rate to 11%, while external stability has improved through reduced currency volatility and current account surpluses.
Fitch anticipates that this combination of lower interest rates and a more stable macroeconomic environment will boost demand for private credit.
“We expect the combination of lower interest rates and an improving macroeconomic environment to stimulate private credit demand,” Fitch said, adding that this should support “steadier loan and deposit growth, and banks’ financial performance.”
The agency noted that Pakistan’s banks are set to benefit from better opportunities to generate business volumes due to improving operating conditions amid receding macroeconomic headwinds.
“Private sector credit, which had dropped to a cyclical low of 9.7% of GDP in 2024, is expected to rebound, reducing banks’ reliance on public-sector lending. Continued economic and fiscal reforms could further support this shift,” the statement read.
However, Fitch also pointed to ongoing risks, stating that Pakistan’s improving, albeit still weak, operating environment and its low sovereign credit rating remain areas of concern.
The agency cautioned that the banks’ intrinsic creditworthiness will remain “closely linked to the sovereign and the pace of economic reform,” due to their significant exposure to sovereign securities and state-linked entities.
Despite past economic turbulence, Pakistani banks have demonstrated resilience. The sector’s impaired loan ratio improved to 7.1% by March 2025, down from 7.6% at the end of 2023, amid strong loan growth of 26%, largely fueled by inflation.
Entertainment
Sandra Bullock reportedly shares ‘natural chemistry’ with THIS star
After decades of car chases, crime thrillers and casino capers, John Travolta may finally be ready to trade the action hero life for something a little softer – and a lot flirtier.
Nearly 50 years after Grease turned him into Hollywood’s ultimate heartthrob, the 72-year-old star is reportedly hunting for the perfect romantic comedy comeback.
And according to insiders, there’s one woman at the top of the wish list: Sandra Bullock.
“John’s had such a long run in action and drama, that’s been his bread and butter,” a source told Closer magazine.
“But the truth is he’s actually more of a rom-com guy, those are the movies he loves watching, and he wants to try making one before it’s too late.”
Hollywood apparently agrees. While names like Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan have floated around, insiders claim Sandra is the “dream pick.”
And honestly? Danny Zuko flirting with the queen of rom-coms sounds like the kind of movie people would absolutely stream on a rainy Sunday.
“They haven’t worked together before, but they have a fantastic rapport, and people think they’d work really well as an on-screen couple,” the insider said. “Of course, people in his world are also secretly hoping that something more might spark between them once they start working together.”
The pair have crossed paths for years in Hollywood circles and famously shared a playful moment onstage at the Oscars. They also reportedly share mutual friends, including Nicole Kidman.
Behind the scenes, friends believe their connection goes deeper than Hollywood small talk. Both stars know devastating loss – John lost wife Kelly Preston in 2020 after her battle with breast cancer, while Sandra mourned longtime partner Brian Randall following his ALS battle.
“They share the same painful history of losing their soul mates far too soon,” the source said. “Sandra’s still grieving Brian intensely, and there’s no doubt John misses Kelly every day too.”
For now, there’s no romance – and maybe no rom-com yet either.
But insiders say if the right script lands on both their desks, Hollywood could get its next unexpected dream pairing.
Entertainment
Queen Camilla makes stunning confession in interview with Jenna Bush Hager
Queen Camilla sat down for a surprise interview with former US President George W Bush’s daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, who’s a renowned journalist.
The Queen, 78, made a stunning confession in chat with Jenna during her visit to the New York Public Library on Wednesday.
The conversation, recorded on day three of the King Chares and Camilla’s State Visit to America, focused on the Queen’s dedication to promoting literacy and her experiences during the trip.
The Queen reportedly spoke of her reading habbits, nature and personal choices during the chat.
NBC’s TODAY programme announced the interview on Instagram, stating: “In a TODAY exclusive, Jenna Bush Hager spoke to Her Majesty Queen Camilla about her visit to the U.S. and the Queen’s passion for reading.”
Vicki Perrin, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, also accompanied the journalis at the library event.
The reception attracted impressive gathering of literary and cultural figures, with approximately 100 guests from the publishing world in attendance.
Among those present were Vogue editor Anna Wintour, author Harlan Coben, and actress Sarah Jessica Parker, herself a prominent advocate for reading initiatives.
Parker remarked: “Every time you shine a spotlight on reading and the relationship between a reader and a book and how it changes lives and enriches lives and cultivates empathy and curiosity, I’m so grateful.”
The Queen was all excited as she presented a special gift to the institution’s famous collection of Winnie the Pooh teddy bears, which originally belonged to author A.A. Milne’s son.
She donated a replacement Roo doll, crafted by British toymaker Merrythought, as the original character has been missing from the collection for some time.
Entertainment
US top commander to brief Trump on new military options against Iran, says report
- Possible strikes may focus on key Iranian infrastructure sites.
- Another plan involves securing Strait of Hormuz shipping route.
- Operation could include ground forces to reopen key oil passage.
President Donald Trump will receive a briefing on Thursday from the leader of the US Central Command, Brad Cooper, on new plans for potential military action against Iran, Axios reported on Wednesday.
The report cited unidentified sources. The White House and the US Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Centcom has prepared a plan for a “short and powerful” wave of strikes on Iran, likely including infrastructure targets, Axios reported, citing sources.
A fragile ceasefire in the Iran war began three weeks ago.
The war began when the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. Iran responded with its own strikes on Israel and the Gulf states with US bases. US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed thousands and displaced millions.
Trump has previously threatened to destroy Iran’s civilian infrastructure. International law experts say such strikes may amount to war crimes. The 1949 Geneva Conventions on humanitarian conduct in war prohibit attacks on sites considered essential for civilians.
Another plan expected to be shared with Trump is focused on taking over part of the Strait of Hormuz to reopen it to commercial shipping, the report added, saying such an operation may involve ground forces.
The Iran war, which remains unpopular in the US, has shaken markets and raised oil prices. The war has brought traffic through the strait, a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, close to a standstill.
Washington hopes to make Iran more flexible at the negotiating table on nuclear issues, Axios reported.
Another option that might come up in the briefing is a special forces operation to secure Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, Axios said.
Trump has cited Iran’s nuclear programme as an imminent threat. Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons but says it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine is also expected to attend Thursday’s briefing, Axios reported.
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