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. […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
Pakistan and Iran Strengthen Economic Ties with Push for 24/7 Border Trade
Pakistan and Iran are taking significant steps to deepen their economic partnership by improving border trade, enhancing customs coordination, and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. The renewed efforts are part of a shared vision to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion in the coming years. The latest developments emerged during a meeting in Islamabad between […]
US Signals Strong Interest in Pakistan’s Mineral Wealth Beyond Reko Diq
Pakistan’s mining sector may be entering a new phase of international investment as the United States expresses growing interest in the country’s vast reserves of critical minerals. According to recent reports, US officials believe Pakistan has the potential to become an important supplier of minerals that are essential for modern technologies, clean energy, and national […]
FBR and Business Community Join Hands to Improve Tax Grievance Resolution
In a positive step towards strengthening relations between Pakistan’s tax authorities and the business sector, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has agreed to work closely with leading business organizations to improve the resolution of tax-related issues. The understanding was reached during a high-level meeting in Karachi between the Chairman of the FBR and representatives […]
AI Could Reshape Pakistan’s Job Market: Challenge or Opportunity?
Artificial intelligence is changing the way people work across the world, and Pakistan is no exception. A recent World Bank report suggests that while AI has the potential to improve productivity and public services, it could also create new challenges for Pakistan’s already struggling job market—especially for educated young people entering the workforce. Why Pakistan […]