Pakistan Poised to Lead Digital Cooperation as First Signatory of Digital and AI Compact at South Korea Summit
Pakistan is preparing to take a significant step toward strengthening its position in the global digital landscape, with the country expected to become the first signatory of the Digital and AI Compact at the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 in South Korea. The development highlights Pakistan’s growing focus on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and […]
Pakistan Considers New Tax Collection Agency as FBR Reform Plans Gain Momentum
Pakistan’s federal government is considering major changes to the country’s tax administration, including the possibility of establishing a new tax collection agency or further restructuring the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The move comes amid concerns over revenue performance and the limited results of previous reform efforts. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the FBR […]
Pakistan Moves Towards a National Digital Market to Strengthen Agriculture and Support Farmers
Pakistan’s agricultural sector could see significant changes under a new proposal by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to establish a national agricultural spot market. The proposed initiative aims to create a more organized system for buying and selling agricultural commodities while helping farmers secure better prices, reduce crop wastage and obtain financing […]
Pakistan Explores Digital Bonds and Asset Tokenization as 75 Firms Seek Virtual Asset Licenses
Pakistan is taking new steps towards modernizing its financial sector by exploring digital bonds, asset tokenization and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered financial services in collaboration with the World Bank Group. The development comes as the country works to establish a regulated environment for virtual assets and attract both domestic and international businesses. According to the Pakistan […]
China’s Shengtang Group Eyes $10 Million Investment in Pakistan Across Seven Key Sectors
Pakistan may attract fresh Chinese investment as Shengtang Group has expressed interest in signing a $10 million memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore business opportunities in seven important sectors of the country. The proposed investment could support industrial growth, infrastructure development, energy projects, and other areas linked to Pakistan’s economic progress. According to a statement […]
Pakistan Targets Over 4% Economic Growth as Government Plans $1 Billion-Plus Privatization Drive
Pakistan is aiming for economic growth of more than 4% in the current fiscal year as the government steps up efforts to attract private investment, sell state-owned entities and strengthen the country’s financial position. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has also confirmed that discussions with the United States are continuing over a proposed $10 billion exchange […]
Pakistan and UK Discuss New Aircraft Options to Revamp PIA Fleet
Pakistan is exploring fresh options to upgrade the fleet of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), with the United Kingdom offering potential support involving Airbus aircraft and Rolls-Royce engines. The possibility of aircraft leasing, engine arrangements and export credit assistance was discussed as Pakistan and Britain looked for ways to address PIA’s immediate fleet requirements while keeping […]
FBR Introduces Online Facility for Steel Sector to Report Electricity Consumption
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a new online mechanism to help steel manufacturers report their electricity consumption for sales tax purposes when power distribution companies fail to provide the required data on time. The facility is particularly relevant to steel melters, re-rollers and composite units, which are required to declare electricity consumption through Annex-K of […]
Pakistan’s IT Exports Maintain Strong Momentum as Sector Targets $10 Billion
Pakistan’s information technology sector has continued to expand, with IT exports recording significant year-on-year growth during the opening months of the new fiscal year. According to data shared by Topline Securities, Pakistan’s IT exports reached $394 million in August 2026, marking a 17% increase compared with August last year. The latest figure takes the country’s […]
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 […]
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 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 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 […]
Pakistan’s Beverage Industry Faces a Major Challenge as Illegal Factories Stay Beyond FBR’s Digital Monitoring
Pakistan’s tax authorities have taken another significant step toward modernizing tax collection by introducing electronic production monitoring for registered beverage manufacturers. The initiative is intended to improve transparency, reduce tax evasion, and strengthen documentation across the industry. However, one major concern continues to overshadow these efforts: a sizeable portion of the country’s beverage production reportedly […]
Pakistan’s Gas Sector Set for a Major Transformation: What the New Reform Roadmap Means
Pakistan is preparing for one of the most significant reforms in its natural gas sector in decades. The government has introduced a comprehensive roadmap designed to modernize the industry, improve financial sustainability, attract private investment, and gradually create a more competitive gas market. The proposed reforms aim to address long-standing challenges such as mounting circular […]
Pakistan’s Trade Gap Expands as Import Growth Outpaces Export Gains in July 2026
Pakistan’s external trade position came under pressure in July 2026 as the country’s trade deficit increased significantly compared with the same month last year. According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the trade gap widened by 25.17% year-on-year, reaching $3.948 billion compared with $3.154 billion in July 2025. The rise in […]