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 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 […]
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 Remittance Scheme Faces Funding Pressure as Senate Raises Wider Financial Concerns
Pakistan’s efforts to encourage overseas Pakistanis to send money home are facing a new financial challenge after the government reduced its support for the Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) because of budgetary pressures. The issue came under discussion during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, where officials from the State Bank […]
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 […]
SBP Eases Housing Finance Rules, Extends Maximum Loan Tenor to 30 Years
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has introduced significant changes to the country’s housing-finance framework, giving prospective homeowners greater flexibility in obtaining financing. The revised prudential regulations apply to banks and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and have taken effect immediately. One of the most notable changes is the extension of the maximum housing-finance repayment period […]
Pakistan May Introduce Fixed Tax on Agricultural Land Amid IMF Pressure
Pakistan could be heading toward a major change in the way agricultural income is taxed, with the federal government reportedly considering a fixed levy of up to Rs5,000 per acre if provinces fail to achieve their agreed revenue targets. The proposal comes as Islamabad works to meet commitments under its programmed with the International Monetary […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]