PMDC announces special measures for AJK students a…

Pakistan’s private sector secured bank financing worth Rs1.138 trillion during the fiscal year 2025-26, marking the highest level of private-sector credit in the last four years, according to Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Shahzad. In a statement, Shahzad said the sharp increase in lending reflects improving economic conditions, stronger business confidence, and the government’s efforts to encourage investment and industrial growth. He noted that private-sector credit expanded by approximately 15 percent during the fiscal year compared to the previous year. The adviser highlighted that greater access to financing has played a key role in supporting business expansion and productive economic activities across the country. He added that around 89 percent of the newly disbursed loans were directed toward major productive sectors, including manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and agriculture. According to Shahzad, the manufacturing sector alone received fresh financing of Rs657 billion, enabling industries to expand production capacity, modernize operations, and meet growing market demand. He said the significant flow of funds into manufacturing demonstrates renewed confidence in Pakistan’s industrial sector. He further stated that increased financial support for the trade and agriculture sectors has contributed to higher production, stronger commercial activity, and improved investment by private businesses. Enhanced credit availability, he said, is helping enterprises expand operations, create employment opportunities, and strengthen overall economic performance. Shahzad described the record lending as a positive indicator of the country’s economic recovery, saying that rising private-sector borrowing reflects improving investor sentiment and greater confidence in Pakistan’s financial system. He added that sustained access to bank financing would remain essential for maintaining economic momentum, boosting productivity, and supporting long-term, sustainable growth.

UMERKOT: Flour mill owners in Umerkot district have rejected the government-fixed price of Rs128 per kilogram, arguing that the sharp increase in wheat prices has pushed their production costs far above the officially notified rate. The millers said the prevailing wheat price in the open market had climbed to around Rs125 per kilogram, while additional expenses related to milling, labour, electricity, transportation and other operations had increased the overall cost of producing flour to nearly Rs140 per kilogram. They maintained that selling flour at Rs128 per kilogram was therefore commercially unsustainable and would force mill owners to operate at a loss. In this regard, representatives of the flour milling industry have submitted written applications to the Mirpurkhas commissioner and the Umerkot deputy commissioner, requesting authorities to reconsider the existing flour price and determine a new rate based on prevailing market conditions and production costs. The mill owners also raised objections to what they described as excessive administrative action against flour mills across the district. They specifically complained about raids and wheat seizures allegedly carried out by assistant commissioners in Umerkot, Kunri, Samaro and Pithoro. According to the millers, government policy allows flour mill owners to maintain wheat stocks of up to 850 bags per stone at their mills or designated warehouses. They alleged that despite the provision, local administrative officials had conducted raids on mills and storage facilities and seized wheat stocks. The mill owners termed the alleged seizures unjustified and said such actions were creating additional difficulties for an already financially pressured industry. They urged the authorities to ensure that enforcement measures were carried out strictly in accordance with the relevant government policy. The millers further called for an investigation into alleged irregularities involving food department inspectors. They demanded that senior provincial officials examine the complaints and take appropriate action if any wrongdoing is established. They appealed to the Sindh chief minister, provincial food secretary, Mirpurkhas commissioner, Umerkot deputy commissioner and other concerned authorities to intervene in the matter and review the officially fixed flour price. The mill owners argued that the price should be determined after taking into account the current cost of wheat as well as electricity, labour, transportation, maintenance and other expenses associated with flour production. They warned that continued enforcement of a price they consider economically unviable could increase financial losses for flour mills and put further pressure on the district’s milling industry. The millers said they were willing to cooperate with the administration in maintaining the availability of flour and preventing unjustified price increases, but stressed that any official pricing mechanism must reflect actual market and production costs. They also urged the provincial government to establish a transparent mechanism for monitoring wheat stocks and flour prices so that disputes between millers and local administrations could be resolved through clear rules rather than repeated raids and seizures.