Business
PSC to supply six cotton varieties for early sowing | The Express Tribune
ISLAMABAD:
The Punjab Seed Corporation (PSC) will provide certified seed of six cotton varieties to farmers across the province for the ongoing early sowing campaign.
Talking to Wealth Pakistan, Shahid Qadir, Director of Punjab Seed Corporation, said the varieties available for sale are SS-32, SS-102, NIAB-878, NIAB-Kiran, NIAB-Sanib and NIAB-545. He said the price of certified fuzzy seed of approved varieties has been fixed at Rs3,700 per 10kg bag, while certified delinted seed will be available at Rs2,500 per 5kg bag. He added that the seed will be available at all PSC sales centres and through its authorised dealers to ensure smooth and timely supply to farmers.
The Punjab government has set a target of bringing 0.7 million acres under early-sown cotton in the southern and central Punjab divisions of Multan, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Sargodha and DG Khan. Cotton cultivation will also be promoted in the Bahawalpur division under the traditional sowing window, as the provincial government plans to develop Bahawalpur into a dedicated cotton valley.
Early sowing of cotton, which was discouraged in Punjab a few years ago due to fears of pest attacks, has gained traction over the past couple of years amid changing climate patterns, experts say. “There is no doubt that early cultivation of cotton was counterproductive in the past, but changing climate conditions have necessitated early sowing to achieve better crop yields,” said Sajid Mehmood, Head of Technology Transfer at the Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan.
He said triple-gene varieties are recommended for early sowing in Punjab, stressing that effective crop management remains critical for optimal growth and productivity of any variety.
He added that for healthy cotton cultivation, daytime temperatures should range between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius, while nighttime temperatures should remain between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius. “At these temperatures, cotton can grow well in this region,” Sajid said.
According to the ginners’ community, cotton cultivation is likely to increase this year due to the efforts of the Sindh and Punjab governments to promote early sowing.
“Cotton cultivation began in the coastal districts of Sindh — including Badin, Thatta, Sanghar, Tando Mohammad Khan, Fazil Rahu and Gharo — during the second week of February. It is now underway in Punjab as well,” said Ihsanul Haq, Chairman of the Cotton Ginners Forum.
He expressed hope that an increase in cultivated area and production would significantly reduce Pakistan’s reliance on imported cotton.
Business
Greggs to reveal trading amid pressure from cost of living and weight loss drugs
Greggs is to shed light on demand from customers as the high street bakery chain contends with the rise of weight loss treatments and cost of living pressures on shoppers.
The high street chain is also wrestling with other factors including increases to labour costs and tax changes.
As a result, on Tuesday March 3, Greggs is expected to reveal pre-tax profits of around £173 million for the year to December 27, representing a 9% drop.
In its previous update shortly after Christmas, Greggs pointed to a strong finish to 2025 as sales growth accelerated in the final quarter of the year.
Like-for-like sales growth rose from 1.5% in the third quarter to 2.9% in the final months of 2025.
Totals sales were up 7.4% in the final quarter amid a boost from the group’s continued store opening programme.
The company opened 121 stores last year.
However, analysts at Deutsche Bank said expectations “have already been set low” for 2026 and are “unlikely to change”.
In January, Greggs said it was “cautious but hopeful” about its outlook for 2026, highlighting “subdued” consumer confidence.
Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, also warned alongside its previous update that there was “no doubt” appetite-suppressing medication is having an impact on the bakery chain’s business.
It may provide more detail on how this continues to change customer eating habits.
Meanwhile, the group also announced that inflation was likely to be shallower than last year.
The group increased the price on a number of products and deals last year, so shareholders will also be keen to see how these changes have continued to impact trading.
Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Investors are keen to hear how 2026 is shaping up in the early months.
“While the picture on the cost front is beginning to look more favourable, Greggs has plenty of other challenges still to wrestle with.
“Unhelpful changes to tax rules and minimum wages, slowing UK economic growth, and cost-conscious consumers are all weighing on the outlook.”
Business
Yorkshire Cat Rescue sees rise in abandoned cats as costs increase
Yorkshire Cat Rescue in Haworth says it paid £282,000 in vet bills in 2025 and rescued 925 animals.
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Business
NSE IPO: Why It Won’t Debut On NSE, CEO Ashish Chauhan Breaks It Down
Last Updated:
Ashish Chauhan confirms National Stock Exchange will list its IPO on Bombay Stock Exchange, as Indian regulations bar self-listing.

The NSE operates the world’s busiest derivatives market by number of contracts traded.
The National Stock Exchange will look at other prominent exchanges like Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to list its upcoming IPO when it goes public. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ashish Chauhan told ANI that Indian regulations prohibit the exchange from self-listing.
The NSE operates the world’s busiest derivatives market by number of contracts traded.
Regulatory Framework Bars Self-Listing
Chauhan said Indian regulations prohibit a stock exchange from regulating and listing itself, requiring it to seek admission on another recognised platform. “It’s a regulation of India, and we have to abide by that,” he told ANI.
The comments follow the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) no-objection certificate, which clears a key hurdle for the exchange’s long-pending initial public offering (IPO). Chauhan confirmed that the NSE would pursue listing on an alternative exchange such as the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
Under India’s regulatory framework, exchanges cannot list on their own trading platforms due to conflict-of-interest concerns. Chauhan noted that while some global exchanges, such as Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), the parent of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), are listed on their own platforms, India’s rules do not permit such arrangements.
Offer For Sale Structure And Timeline
Chauhan said the IPO would be structured entirely as an Offer for Sale (OFS), with no fresh capital raised. “We are not going to raise money for ourselves,” he told ANI, adding that existing shareholders would be invited to indicate their interest in selling shares.
The exchange, which has nearly 195,000 shareholders collectively owning 100 percent of the company, will take a few months to prepare and file its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP). SEBI will then review the document before granting further clearance.
On valuation estimates of around USD 50 billion circulating in the market, Chauhan advised caution. Pricing, he said, would be determined closer to launch, based on financial performance, industry comparables, growth trends, and broader economic and geopolitical conditions. Merchant bankers appointed to the issue will advise the IPO committee on the offer price.
Transparency, Governance, And SME Inclusion
Chauhan described the IPO as procedural, aimed at providing liquidity to shareholders rather than funding expansion, noting that the exchange remains profitable.
He said public listing enhances transparency and governance through wider ownership and real-time disclosure requirements. Citing the example of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), he said governance standards improved following its listing.
In the same interview, Chauhan said India has positioned itself as a cost-effective and inclusive capital market, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). He contrasted domestic listing costs with those in developed markets such as the United States, where expenses can range between USD 20 million and USD 30 million.
“In India, people are raising USD 1–2 million also. So how much they are spending is probably 5 to 10 per cent of that money to list,” he told ANI, adding that India’s ecosystem of merchant bankers, legal advisers and compliance professionals supports SME participation.
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March 01, 2026, 09:10 IST
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