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.
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.
Business
Gold price today: How much 22K, 24K gold cost in Delhi, Patna & other cities – Check rates – The Times of India
Gold prices climbed to a fresh lifetime high in the domestic market on Thursday amid sustained buying by jewellers and stockists, according to the All India Sarafa Association.Gold advanced by Rs 800 to hit a new peak of Rs 1,47,300 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), extending gains for the fifth consecutive session. The yellow metal had closed at Rs 1,46,500 per 10 grams in the previous session.Since the start of 2026, gold prices have surged Rs 9,600, or around 7 per cent, supported by persistent demand in the physical market. In overseas trade, spot gold slipped USD 12.22, or 0.26 per cent, to USD 4,614.45 per ounce, after having touched a record high of USD 4,643.06 per ounce in the previous session.Here is how much gold costs in major Indian cities today:
Gold price in Delhi today
The price of 22K gold in Delhi is Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Chennai today
In Chennai, 22K gold costs Rs 13,290 per gram, up Rs 10, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,498 per gram, higher by Rs 10.
Gold price in Mumbai today
Mumbai markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold stands at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Ahmedabad today
In Ahmedabad, 22K gold is priced at Rs 13,130 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,323 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Kolkata today
Kolkata markets price 22K gold at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold stands at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Jaipur today
In Jaipur, 22K gold costs Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Hyderabad today
Hyderabad sees 22K gold at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Bhubaneswar today
Bhubaneswar markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Patna today
In Patna, 22K gold costs Rs 13,130 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,323 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Lucknow today
Lucknow markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
One of Britain’s most prolific rail fare dodgers could face jail after admitting dozens of travel offences.
Charles Brohiri, 29, pleaded guilty to travelling without buying a ticket a total of 112 times over a two-year period, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
He could be ordered to pay more than £18,000 in unpaid fares and legal costs, the court was told.
He will be sentenced next month.
District Judge Nina Tempia warned Brohiri “could face a custodial sentence because of the number of offences he has committed”.
He pleaded guilty to 76 offences on Thursday.
It came after he was convicted in his absence of 36 charges at a previous hearing.
During Thursday’s hearing, Judge Tempia dismissed a bid by Brohiri’s lawyers to have the 36 convictions overturned.
They had argued the prosecutions were unlawful because they had not been brought by a qualified legal professional.
But Judge Tempia rejected the argument, saying there had been “no abuse of this court’s process”.
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