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 […]
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 […]
FBR Clarifies Revised Sales Tax Rules for Manufacturers and Importers
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced important clarifications regarding the collection and assessment of sales tax on certain goods covered under Serial No. 65 of the Third Schedule to the Sales Tax Act, 1990. The clarification was issued through Sales Tax General Order No. 19 of 2026, with the aim of removing uncertainty […]
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 […]
Pakistan May Introduce Fixed Tax on Agricultural Land Amid IMF Pressure
Pakistan could be heading toward a major change in the way agricultural income is taxed, with the federal government reportedly considering a fixed levy of up to Rs5,000 per acre if provinces fail to achieve their agreed revenue targets. The proposal comes as Islamabad works to meet commitments under its programmed with the International Monetary […]
Pakistan’s Freelance Economy Starts FY2026-27 With Strong Export Growth
Pakistan’s freelance economy has begun the new fiscal year on a promising note, with export earnings from freelancers recording a sharp increase in July 2026. According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan, freelance export receipts reached $175.4 million, marking a 45.5% increase compared with the same month last year. In July 2025, freelancers […]
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). […]
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 […]
Pakistan Faces New EU GSP+ Requirements From 2027
Pakistan’s preferential trade arrangement with the European Union is set to enter a new phase from January 2027, with the country facing stricter requirements to retain its GSP+ benefits. Under the EU’s revised scheme, Pakistan will no longer receive an automatic extension of its GSP+ status. Instead, the country will have to submit a formal […]
Pakistan Prepares for IMF Review as $1.2 Billion in Financing Hangs in Balance
Pakistan is preparing for another important round of discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with a Fund mission expected to arrive next month to review the country’s progress under two ongoing financial programmed. The talks will cover the fourth review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the second review of the Resilience and […]
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 […]