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. […]
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 […]
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). […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
SECP Takes Steps to Make Corporate Sukuk Easier for Businesses in Pakistan
Pakistan’s corporate Islamic finance market is set for a potential boost after the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) introduced a new guidebook designed to simplify the process of issuing Sukuk. The regulator’s new toolkit aims to give companies a clearer understanding of the requirements involved in launching Sukuk, while reducing the legal, structural […]
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 […]
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 […]
NAB Seeks Removal of Rs500 Million Corruption Threshold
Pakistan’s accountability watchdog has called for a major change in the rules governing corruption investigations, urging the government to remove the Rs500 million threshold that currently limits the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) ability to pursue cases. NAB Chairman retired Lt Gen Nazir Ahmed raised the issue during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on […]
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 […]