FBR Collects Rs4.06 Trillion in Four Months, Misses FY27 Tax Target
Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs4.06 trillion in taxes during the first four months of FY2026–27, falling Rs124 billion short of its target despite a 6% increase compared with the previous year. In October alone, tax collection reached Rs974 billion against the target of Rs1.132 trillion, leaving a shortfall of Rs158 billion. FBR […]
FBR Expands Digital Surveillance to Textile Spinning Mills, Sets November 15 Deadline
Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue has broadened its electronic production monitoring system to cover a wider range of textile fibres, requiring registered spinning mills to install surveillance cameras and integrate real-time production data with the tax authority’s monitoring network. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced new monitoring requirements for registered textile spinning mills […]
IMF Warns of Rising Inflation and Economic Pressure in Pakistan
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Pakistan could face rising inflation, higher borrowing costs and a weaker external position due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. In its October 2026 Regional Economic Outlook, the IMF reported that Pakistan’s inflation reached 11.1% in August, driven by rising food and energy prices. The Fund also […]
FBR Introduces Mandatory Digital Monitoring for Steel Manufacturers by December 30, 2026
Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a new compliance requirement for the steel industry, directing registered manufacturers to install digital production monitoring systems by December 30, 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen oversight of steel production, improve transparency in product movement and reduce the risk of tax evasion. The directive, issued under Sales […]
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 […]
IMF Urges Pakistan to Strengthen Revenue Collection and Build Financial Reserves for Sustainable Growth
Pakistan’s economic recovery, fiscal reforms and long-term development priorities came under discussion during a meeting between International Monetary Fund (IMF) Deputy Managing Director Nigel Clarke and Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on the sidelines of the World Bank Group–IMF Annual Meetings 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. During the meeting, Clarke stressed the need for Pakistan to […]
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 […]
World Bank Proposes $200 Million to Boost KP Tax Revenue and Improve Public Services by 2031
The World Bank has proposed $200 million in financing to help Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) strengthen its revenue collection system, improve public services and manage its finances more effectively. The initiative aims to nearly double the province’s own-source tax revenue in real terms, increasing it from Rs64 billion to Rs122 billion by June 2031. The proposed […]
Foreign Investors Seek FBR Reforms as Tax Certification Delays Stall Share Registration in Pakistan
Pakistan’s efforts to attract and retain foreign investment face another administrative challenge as overseas investors raise concerns over delays in obtaining tax exemption certificates from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The delays are creating obstacles for the registration of foreign-held shares with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), even in cases where the relevant […]
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 […]
SECP Proposes Rs5 Million Ceiling for Microfinance and Housing Loans
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has proposed a significant revision to its financing regulations that could expand access to credit for individuals, households, and businesses. Under the proposed amendments, the maximum limit for microfinance and housing loans would increase to Rs5 million. The move is part of a broader effort to update […]
SBP Extends Bank Working Hours for Tax and Duty Payments
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced extended banking hours to make it easier for taxpayers to pay their government duties and taxes before the end of the financial deadline. Under the new arrangement, commercial bank branches across the country will remain open until 10:00 PM on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The decision was […]
Pakistan and Chinese Firm Explore Rs20 Billion Energy Investment in Gas Sector
Pakistan’s energy sector could see fresh investment and technological cooperation following a new agreement between local company Shaheen Energy (Pvt) Limited and China’s Anton Oilfield Services Group. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to examine investment opportunities worth approximately Rs20 billion in Pakistan’s gas and upstream energy industry over the next […]
Hybrid Car Prices Fall as Pakistan Reduces GST on Vehicles
Hybrid vehicle buyers in Pakistan are beginning to see lower prices after the government reduced the General Sales Tax (GST) on vehicles up to 2,000cc. The tax rate has been brought down from 25% to 18%, prompting major auto manufacturers to revise the prices of several hybrid models. The price adjustments come after weeks 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 […]