FBR Introduces Faceless Tax System to Transform Audits in Pakistan
Pakistan’s tax administration is set to undergo a significant digital transformation as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) moves towards a new faceless system for tax audits and assessments. Under the new arrangement, the FBR has established a National Faceless Centre (NFC) in Islamabad, which will initially focus on reviewing tax-related information of hundreds of […]
Pakistan to Make Parts of Civil Servants’ Asset Declarations Public by December 2026
The federal government is preparing to make selected details of the assets and income declarations of senior civil servants publicly available by the end of December 2026. The move is linked to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) structural benchmark and is part of wider efforts to strengthen transparency in the public sector. However, the government […]
NCCIA Cracks Down on Suspected Illegal Call Centers in Islamabad
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has launched a major operation against suspected illegal call centers in Islamabad, detaining more than 200 people in connection with alleged international online fraud. According to reports, the raids were carried out at several locations in the capital, particularly in the E-11 and G-10 areas. A total of […]
Pakistan’s Freelancing Sector Sees Sharp Rise in Export Earnings
Pakistan’s growing freelance economy has recorded another significant milestone, with freelancers earning $352 million in export receipts during July and August of FY27. According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan, the figure represents a 44% increase compared with the $244 million earned during the same period a year earlier. The latest numbers highlight […]
Pakistan’s Foreign Investment Gains Momentum in Early FY27
Pakistan has recorded a notable improvement in foreign investment at the beginning of fiscal year 2026-27, with foreign direct investment (FDI) showing strong growth during the first two months. The latest figures point to increased investor activity, particularly in August, when foreign inflows rose significantly compared with the same period last year. According to central […]
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 […]
SBP Completes First Regulatory Sandbox Tests, Opening New Path for Fintech Innovation
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has reached an important milestone in its efforts to encourage financial technology innovation, completing the first testing cycle of its Regulatory Sandbox. The six-month programmed, conducted from January through June 2026, gave selected financial-sector participants an opportunity to test technology-driven solutions in a controlled environment under the supervision and […]
Pakistan Expands Tax Relief for Airlines and Shipping Industry
Pakistan’s aviation and maritime sectors have received a significant tax boost as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has broadened sales tax exemptions for airlines and restored similar relief for certain shipping-related imports. The latest measures are aimed at reducing the financial burden on businesses involved in aviation and shipbuilding while also bringing changes to […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]