Pakistan Nears IMF Review With Most Targets on Track
Pakistan is heading toward the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) September 2026 review with most of its key programmed targets expected to be on track. According to Arif Habib Limited (AHL), six of the seven quantitative performance criteria are likely to have been met at the March and June 2026 test dates. The IMF review will […]
SBP Earnings Slide 20% to Rs1.99 Trillion in FY26 Amid Lower Interest Income
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) ended fiscal year 2025-26 with a substantial but lower profit, as falling earnings from its financial assets weighed on its overall income. The central bank reported a net profit of Rs1.99 trillion for FY26, down from Rs2.499 trillion a year earlier. The decline of roughly Rs506 billion represents a […]
SECP Introduces Digital Investor Onboarding System to Make Account Opening Faster
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has taken a major step toward making investment in Pakistan’s capital markets easier and more accessible by introducing a new unified digital investor onboarding framework. The initiative is aimed at removing unnecessary paperwork, reducing repeated verification procedures and making it significantly quicker for individuals to start investing. […]
Saudi Investors Show Growing Interest in Pakistan’s Key Economic Sectors
Pakistan’s efforts to attract foreign investment have received another boost with the arrival of a high-level Saudi business delegation seeking opportunities in several major areas of the economy. Led by Prince Mansour bin Mohammad Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi-Pakistan Joint Business Council, the delegation visited the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for discussions with […]
Pakistan Remittance Scheme Faces Funding Pressure as Senate Raises Wider Financial Concerns
Pakistan’s efforts to encourage overseas Pakistanis to send money home are facing a new financial challenge after the government reduced its support for the Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) because of budgetary pressures. The issue came under discussion during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, where officials from the State Bank […]
Pakistan Moves Toward a Dedicated Venture Capital Framework for Startups
Pakistan is preparing to introduce a dedicated legal framework for venture capital investment, with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) sharing a proposed Venture Capital Bill with the Board of Investment (BOI). The initiative is aimed at addressing one of the major challenges faced by Pakistani startups: limited access to investment capital. The […]
Pakistan Faces Fresh Inflationary Pressure as August CPI Expected to Cross 10%
Pakistan’s inflation outlook is showing renewed signs of pressure, with consumer prices expected to return to double-digit growth in August 2026 after briefly remaining below the 10% mark in July. Market analysts believe rising food and transportation costs will be the biggest contributors to the expected increase. AKD Research has estimated August inflation at around […]
DISCO Privatization Plan: Rs911 Billion Asset Transfer Raises IMF Compliance Concerns
The federal government’s plan to restructure and eventually privatize three major electricity distribution companies has come under scrutiny over its potential implications for Pakistan’s commitments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The restructuring involves Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO). The Cabinet Committee on Privatization […]
Pakistan and Oman Move Closer to a New Fuel Supply Partnership
Pakistan is taking steps to strengthen its energy security by expanding fuel supplies from Oman. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet is expected to consider a proposed sale and purchase agreement between Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and OQ Trading Limited of Oman. The proposed arrangement comes as Pakistan looks to diversify its sources […]
SBP Eases Housing Finance Rules, Extends Maximum Loan Tenor to 30 Years
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has introduced significant changes to the country’s housing-finance framework, giving prospective homeowners greater flexibility in obtaining financing. The revised prudential regulations apply to banks and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and have taken effect immediately. One of the most notable changes is the extension of the maximum housing-finance repayment period […]
PIA Privatization: Why Taxpayers Are Still Paying the Price
Pakistan’s privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) may have transferred control of the national carrier to a private investor, but the government’s financial responsibilities have not ended. A significant portion of PIA’s old debt remains with the public sector, leaving taxpayers to shoulder the cost of servicing those liabilities. According to a report by The […]
Pakistan’s Textile Exports Jump to $1.81 Billion in July 2026
Pakistan’s textile industry began the new fiscal year on a strong note, with textile exports reaching $1.81 billion in July 2026, according to provisional data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The latest figures represent a 43.13% increase from June, when textile exports stood at $1.27 billion. Compared with July 2025, exports were also […]
FBR Highlights New Tax Return Features for Property and Business Reporting
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has provided tax professionals with a detailed look at several features of its income tax return system, focusing on tools that allow taxpayers to report property investments, business capital and inherited assets more effectively. The demonstration was conducted during an online consultation with the Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA). […]
LSE SPAC-II Plans Rs180 Million Investment in M.P. Industries
LSE SPAC-II Limited has moved forward with plans to acquire a significant minority interest in M.P. Industries Limited (MPIL), with the proposed transaction now awaiting approval from the company’s shareholders. According to a notice submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the board of directors has recommended investing approximately Rs180 million in MPIL following the […]
Pakistan’s Refinery Sector Set for $5 Billion Modernization Drive
Pakistan’s oil refining industry is moving toward a major transformation, with five domestic refineries preparing investment plans worth an estimated $4.5 billion to $5 billion. The proposed projects focus on increasing refining capacity, producing cleaner fuels, reducing furnace oil output and upgrading facilities to meet modern fuel standards. The development follows amendments to the government’s […]
Pakistan Plans Major Reforms to Transform Construction Industry
Pakistan is preparing to introduce a broad set of reforms aimed at improving the country’s construction industry, with the proposed establishment of a Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) at the center of the initiative. The government is also examining the possibility of creating a dedicated Construction Development Bank (CDB) to address financing challenges faced by […]
FBR Announces Stricter Customs Penalties for Delayed Clearance of Goods
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a revised penalty regime to address delays in customs declarations, clearance and export of goods. The new measures will take effect from October 1, 2026, and can impose fines of up to Rs1 million per case. The changes are aimed at encouraging traders to complete customs procedures […]
Pakistan and Hong Kong Strengthen Customs Cooperation to Combat Suspicious Trade
Pakistan and Hong Kong have taken an important step toward strengthening cooperation between their customs authorities by signing a new agreement focused on information sharing, enforcement and the monitoring of suspicious trade activity. The arrangement provides a formal framework for both sides to assist each other in customs-related matters. It includes the exchange of information, […]
Agro Processors Prepares for PSX Listing With 15% Public Offering
Pakistan’s equity market is preparing for another new listing after the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) gave the green light to the initial public offering of Agro Processors & Atmospheric Gases Limited. The company plans to make 58,049,541 shares available to investors, representing 15% of its paid-up capital following the IPO. The shares […]
Why More Than 317,000 Pakistanis Are Seeking Jobs Abroad in 2026
The search for better employment opportunities is taking a growing number of Pakistanis overseas. During the first six months of 2026, more than 317,000 Pakistani workers left the country to pursue jobs in foreign markets, highlighting the growing pressure on the domestic labor market. According to official figures, 317,436 workers travelled abroad for employment between […]