Stories by Shahid Iqbal

Shahid Iqbal is a reporter for Dawn based in Karachi with 38 years of experience covering politics and economics. His career includes seven years with the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, as well as roles at United Press International (UPI) and AFP.

Inflation seen slowing to 10.75pc in September

Stakeholders believe oil prices to hover around $100 per barrel.

Updated 27 Sep, 2026 08:32am

Rs16bn bank-funded remittance reward scheme unveiled

Rs4bn to be distributed among 2,521 winners in each quarterly draw; each raffle to award Rs100m top prize; twenty Rs25m,100 Rs10m and 2,400 Rs1m prizes.

Published 26 Sep, 2026 04:59am

Private sector credit offtake remains weak

Debt retirement more than doubles to Rs364.5bn by Sept 11.

Published 24 Sep, 2026 07:04am

Foreign investment in bonds jumps to $275m

Foreign investors have chosen long-term Pakistan Investment Bonds, despite the risks emanating from the regional war.

Updated 22 Sep, 2026 07:36am

13.4pc fall in profit outflow during first 2 months of FY27

Financial experts say there is no hurdle to the outflow of profits as the State Bank’s foreign exchange reserves have reached a much higher level.

Updated 19 Sep, 2026 07:37am

Current account deficit narrows to $98m in August

Higher oil prices pose fresh challenge to external account; foreign direct investment inflows surge 80pc to $315.9m in August.

Updated 17 Sep, 2026 07:37am

SBP retains interest rate at 11.5pc

KARACHI: The State Bank on Monday kept the 11.5 per cent interest rate unchanged by a majority decision of 7 to 3,...

Published 15 Sep, 2026 07:32am

State Bank in tight spot as inflation rises

Bankers anticipate a status quo, but some analysts believe the central bank will lift its policy rate by 50 basis points.

Published 13 Sep, 2026 08:26am

Remittances rise 16.5pc in August

Pakistan receives $7.3bn in first two months of FY27; the increase comes as Pakistani investors in Gulf countries seek to liquidate assets amid uncertainty caused by the war.

Updated 10 Sep, 2026 07:24am

Exchange companies’ dollar sales jump 30pc

Data from the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan shows companies sold $248.7m to banks in August.

Updated 09 Sep, 2026 07:28am

Only 2pc ever-married women own land in Pakistan: study

SDPI study finds only 1.5pc of agricultural households formally recorded as female-headed

Updated 06 Sep, 2026 02:10pm

Trade gap swells 18pc to $7.1bn

Reflects increasing pressure of a surging import bill.

Published 04 Sep, 2026 07:03am

Punjab’s budgetary borrowing jumps 145pc

State Bank data shows that Punjab borrowed Rs753.4bn between July 1 and Aug 21 compared to Rs306.8bn during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Published 03 Sep, 2026 07:26am

Dubai property no longer safe haven

Pakistanis struggle to recover investments as black money fuels Karachi property rally

Updated 01 Sep, 2026 07:41am

Domestic bonds attract $171m in 50 days

Foreign investors buy T-bills worth $126.9m, put $44m into Pakistan Investment Bonds.

Published 29 Aug, 2026 04:54am

Rate cuts shrink SBP profits in 2025-26

Annual Financial Statement says central bank deposits Rs1.9tr into national kitty.

Updated 28 Aug, 2026 07:50am

Private sector retires Rs393bn during first 6 weeks

Indicates investment freeze as banks prefer risk-free govt papers.

Updated 25 Aug, 2026 07:42am

Crypto operators given September 5 deadline to seek NOCs

PVARA warns service providers failing to meet deadline must cease operations.

Updated 23 Aug, 2026 08:47am

Meezan Bank bags its 6th ‘Best Bank’ award

Bank of Punjab wins three awards; HBL wins Environmental, Social and Governance award; SBP chief calls for faster banking digitisation, higher private sector.

Updated 22 Aug, 2026 10:09am

Profit outflow falls 11.5pc

KARACHI: The repatriation of profits and dividends fell 11.5 per cent in July, the first month of FY27, but remained...

Published 21 Aug, 2026 07:07am