The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has intensified its regulatory oversight of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), imposing fines and issuing warnings against organizations that failed to comply with legal reporting and governance requirements. The latest enforcement action resulted in penalties totaling Rs3.175 million against 36 state-owned entities. The fines…
In a significant step toward protecting public assets, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Punjab Board of Revenue have successfully reclaimed thousands of kanals of government-owned land that had been under illegal occupation. The recovered land, spread across various districts of Punjab, is estimated to be worth around Rs433…
As Pakistan moves closer to unveiling its federal budget, the government has scheduled an important meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to evaluate a series of funding requests, development projects, and supplementary grants involving billions of rupees. The meeting comes at a crucial time when policymakers are finalizing fiscal…
As Pakistan prepares to unveil its upcoming federal budget, the debate over taxation and economic reforms has once again come into focus. Business leaders are urging policymakers to avoid placing additional financial burdens on already compliant taxpayers and instead focus on expanding the country’s tax net and encouraging economic growth.…
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has unveiled a set of regulatory changes aimed at making it easier for established businesses to enter the capital market and raise funds through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). The amendments, made to the Public Offering Regulations, 2017, are expected to provide greater…
The federal government has appointed two officers from the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on deputation, reinforcing the regulator’s administrative capacity in overseeing Pakistan’s energy sector. According to official notifications issued by the Establishment Division, BS-20 officer Majid Mohsin Panhwar and BS-18 officer…
Pakistan’s refining sector witnessed a significant increase in production during May 2026, yet fuel sales failed to keep pace, highlighting growing demand-side challenges for the industry. According to industry data, refinery production climbed by 22.5% year-on-year to 1.01 million tonnes in May. The increase was driven by stronger output across…
Punjab is preparing to unveil what could become one of the largest budgets in its history, with total spending for the 2026-27 fiscal year expected to approach Rs6 trillion. The provincial government is set to present the budget on June 8, outlining its roadmap for economic development, public services, and…
Pakistan’s energy regulators have authorized the export of a significant volume of furnace oil, providing relief to domestic refineries grappling with growing stockpiles and changing energy consumption patterns. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has granted permission to Pak Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO) to export 100,000 metric tones of…
Pakistan’s economy is expected to continue its recovery journey in the upcoming fiscal year, with the government projecting economic growth of 3.7% in FY2025-26. However, despite the positive outlook, authorities are grappling with a significant challenge: limited financial resources against a growing list of development priorities. Speaking at the Annual…
Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry has reached an important milestone as ATCO Laboratories Group becomes the first company in the country to secure PIC/S certification for a sterile manufacturing facility producing injectable medicines and ophthalmic products. The achievement marks a significant step forward for the local pharmaceutical sector and strengthens Pakistan’s position…
Pakistan’s export sector is facing new challenges as shipments to several major European markets recorded a decline during the first 10 months of fiscal year 2025-26. This slowdown comes even though Pakistan continues to enjoy the European Union’s GSP+ status, which provides preferential trade access to EU countries. According to…
The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has introduced a new system for preparing annual audit reports after last year’s controversy involving the publication of alleged financial irregularities worth Rs375 trillion. The incident sparked nationwide criticism and raised concerns about the credibility of the country’s audit process. To prevent similar situations…
A fresh legal battle has emerged in Punjab over the government’s decision to increase agricultural income tax rates. The matter has now reached the Lahore High Court (LHC), where a constitutional petition has been filed questioning both the legality and the procedure used to implement the revised taxes. The petition…
The federal government is preparing possible reforms to the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) as part of the upcoming FY2026-27 budget, aiming to tackle the alleged misuse of tax exemptions and invoice trading in local markets. Officials are reviewing several proposals designed to improve transparency, strengthen tax collection, and support documented…
Pakistan is preparing to request major trade concessions from China as discussions begin on the third phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA). The move is part of Islamabad’s broader strategy to boost exports, reduce its growing trade deficit, and secure better market access for Pakistani industries. According to…
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has temporarily suspended the sales tax registration of K-Electric, creating concern among businesses and electricity consumers across Pakistan. The update became visible on the FBR’s online taxpayer portal, where the utility’s sales tax status was marked suspended effective May 20, 2026. However, K-Electric’s income…
Pakistan’s mobile phone manufacturing sector experienced a noticeable slowdown in April 2026, as local handset assembly dropped significantly compared to the previous month. Fresh figures released by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) show that domestic production activity weakened after a strong performance in March. According to industry data, local companies…
Pakistan’s electric vehicle market is continuing to grow as Chinese automotive giant GAC Group officially launches its EV lineup in the country through a partnership with Lucky Motor Corporation. The move marks another major step in the expansion of electric mobility in Pakistan, where rising fuel prices and increasing interest…
Pakistan is preparing for another financially challenging year as the government reportedly plans to set an ambitious tax collection target of nearly Rs15.3 trillion in the upcoming FY27 budget. The move reflects continued pressure to stabilize the economy under the ongoing programmed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while also…
