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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
FBR Introduces Higher Withholding Tax for Non-Filer Social Media Creators
Pakistan’s digital economy is becoming an increasingly important part of the country’s tax system, with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) introducing different withholding tax rates for social media content creators based on their taxpayer status. Under the new Withholding Tax Card for 2026, individuals earning money through social media platforms will face a 5% […]
FBR Signals More Tax Relief as Pakistani Businesses Push for Lower Costs
Pakistan’s business community may be in line for further tax relief as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) considers additional measures to reduce the financial pressure on companies. The issue came under discussion during a meeting of a Senate Standing Committee on Finance sub-committee, where business representatives highlighted the growing challenges faced by industries across […]
Pakistan and Russia Move Toward New Rail Trade Routes and Expanded Farm Cooperation
Pakistan and Russia are exploring new avenues to strengthen economic relations, with proposed freight rail connections and expanded agricultural cooperation emerging as key areas of mutual interest. The two countries are working on plans for freight rail services linking Moscow with Faisalabad and Karachi. The proposed corridors are expected to operate in both directions, creating […]
Pakistan Tightens Export Finance Rules as Government Approves Rs88 Billion Support Package
Pakistan is moving to strengthen oversight of its export financing programmed as the government seeks to boost foreign sales while reducing the chances of subsidized funds being misused. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved an export finance support package worth Rs88 billion for fiscal year 2026-27, combining expanded working-capital financing, long-term funding for export-oriented […]
Bank of Punjab Plans Rs30 Billion Share Issue for Punjab Government
The Bank of Punjab (BOP) has announced plans to raise up to Rs30 billion through the issuance of new ordinary shares to the Government of Punjab, marking a major proposed capital injection into the bank. According to a disclosure submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday, BOP’s Board of Directors approved the proposal […]
LHC Declares Bank Customer Data as “Property” in Landmark Cyber Fraud Case
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has delivered an important ruling concerning the misuse of confidential banking information, observing that customers’ private banking data can be treated as “property” under the law. The ruling came in a cybercrime case involving allegations of leaked bank information, fraudulent SIM cards and unauthorized transfers of more than Rs104 million […]
Rs10 Billion Approved to Support Pakistan’s Textile and Export Industries
Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce has approved Rs10 billion in funding for the textile, apparel, and other export-oriented industries under various duty drawback and technology-upgradation schemes. The move is aimed at easing financial pressures on exporters, improving industrial liquidity, and helping businesses invest in modern technology to strengthen their competitiveness in international markets. Government Moves to […]
Pakistan Moves Closer to Full Crypto Licensing Framework
Pakistan is taking another major step toward bringing its virtual assets industry under a formal regulatory structure. The country is nearing the introduction of a comprehensive licensing system for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), a development that could significantly shape the future of the local crypto and digital-asset market. Bilal Bin Saqib, Minister of State […]