Finance and Economy

Reiterating the government’s broader vision, Chouhan said that these initiatives collectively aim to build a system where farmers are not only assured of better income but are also protected against risks, thereby strengthening the foundation of a resilient and self-reliant agricultural sector in the country.

Despite the escalating emergency, the Taliban administration has continually sought to project an image of economic stability. Yet, the stark realities on the ground – shuttered trade routes, skyrocketing grocery bills, and overcrowded malnutrition clinics – tell a vastly different story.

Structural weaknesses persist: low GDP per capita, exposure to external shocks and natural disasters, and governance metrics that lag behind ‘BB’-category peers.

As South Asia pushes ahead with billions of dollars in LNG infrastructure, the unfolding crisis in the Gulf is a stark reminder that energy security in a volatile world remains deeply intertwined with geopolitics.

According to the latest integrated food security phase classification (IPC) analysis, approximately 7.5 million people across vulnerable regions are grappling with high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition.

While approximately 90 per cent of the land identification process has been completed, displaced communities remain uncertain about when permanent housing will become available. For many survivors, the prolonged wait for safe housing continues to compound the trauma of the disaster.

The market’s verdict has been swift and unforgiving. Brent crude futures rocketed to $119.50 per barrel – the highest since mid-2022 – while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) hit $119.48, capping a blistering 25 per cent surge in days.

Congress and UML control over 300 of 753 units; performance there could rebuild trust. For Madhesh, the losses sting deepest, reigniting debates on inclusivity.