Pakistan Increases Cash Transaction Reporting Limit to Rs3 Million: What You Need to Know
Pakistan has revised its cash transaction reporting requirements, increasing the mandatory Currency Transaction Report (CTR) threshold from Rs2 million to Rs3 million. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has instructed banks and other regulated financial institutions to follow the updated limit with immediate effect. The change represents a 50% increase in the reporting threshold and […]
FBR Introduces Automated Tax Return Scrutiny, Gives Taxpayers Time to Correct Errors
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced an automated system to examine income tax returns and identify potential errors or discrepancies before initiating further legal action. The new procedure was introduced through SRO 2098(I)/2026, dated November 10, 2026, amending the Income Tax Rules, 2002, through the addition of Rule 38B. Under the new rules, […]
NAB Protects Public Assets Worth Rs241.4 Billion in Two Months
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has reported safeguarding public assets worth approximately Rs241.408 billion over the past two months through efforts involving government land and mineral resources. The major achievement includes securing 3,927 kanals of Pakistan Railways land across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal and Murree, valued at Rs118 billion. NAB also helped resolve a long-standing […]
Pakistan to Pursue Full $1.7 Billion World Bank Financing Despite Slow Reform Progress
Pakistan plans to continue pursuing the full $1.7 billion World Bank financing programme despite delays in implementing key economic reforms and concerns over meeting agreed conditions. The initiative aims to strengthen tax collection, improve public expenditure and enhance fiscal management at both federal and provincial levels. The programme, titled Public Resource for Inclusive Development, is […]
FBR Increases Minimum Taxable Value of Specified Steel Scrap from 55% to 60%
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised the minimum taxable valuation of certain categories of remeltable iron and steel scrap, increasing the prescribed benchmark from 55% to 60% of the reference value of steel bars. The change is expected to increase the minimum value considered for sales tax calculations on qualifying scrap transactions. The […]
Pakistan Registers Over 5,000 New Companies in October 2026 as IT Sector Leads Business Growth
Pakistan’s corporate sector continued to show encouraging activity in October 2026, with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registering 5,003 new companies during the month. The latest figures bring the country’s total number of registered companies to 321,794, reflecting continued interest in formal business registration and entrepreneurship. The strong registration numbers highlight the […]
Government Moves Towards Ending Super Tax as FBR Promises Relief for Businesses
Pakistan’s industrial sector may receive some relief as the federal government moves towards gradually eliminating the super tax. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial has confirmed that the government intends to withdraw the tax completely, with the process already underway following an initial two-percentage-point reduction. Speaking at a meeting with industrialists at […]
FBR Deactivates Thousands of Taxpayers for Missing October 31 Filing Deadline
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has moved thousands of taxpayers from active to inactive status after they failed to submit their income tax returns by the October 31, 2026 deadline. The decision took effect immediately after the expiry of the extended filing period and has raised concerns among taxpayers and tax professionals. According to […]
SBP Introduces New Licensing Framework for Banks and Financial Institutions
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has introduced a consolidated licensing and authorisation handbook to simplify regulatory requirements for banks, fintech companies and other financial institutions. Issued on October 28, 2026, through BPRD Circular No. 03, the handbook covers commercial banks, digital banks, microfinance banks, exchange companies, electronic money institutions, payment service providers and private […]
FBR Introduces Faceless Tax Assessment Rules Ahead of October 31 Deadline
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced new procedures for faceless income tax assessments in Pakistan, allowing tax cases to be processed through automated case allocation, online hearings and electronic document submissions. The move comes ahead of the October 31, 2026, income tax return filing deadline. Under the new rules, the Faceless Assessment Unit […]
Pakistan Raises Cash Transaction Reporting Limit to Rs3 Million, Expands AML Oversight to Virtual Assets
Pakistan has approved significant changes to its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, increasing the cash transaction reporting threshold from Rs2 million to Rs3 million and extending regulatory oversight to the virtual assets sector. The government has also approved the inclusion of piracy-related offences in the country’s anti-money laundering legislation. The decisions were taken during […]
Pakistan Eyes $5.5 Billion in IT Exports and $44 Billion in Remittances for FY2027
Pakistan is stepping up efforts to strengthen its economy by expanding technology exports, attracting foreign remittances and introducing reforms aimed at reducing its dependence on external financing. The government has set ambitious targets of $5.5 billion in information technology (IT) exports and $44 billion in workers’ remittances for the fiscal year 2026–27, highlighting the growing […]
FBR Launches Online Auction System for Seized Goods, Sets Rs25,000 Minimum Registration Fee
Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a new electronic auction system for selling seized and confiscated goods, aiming to establish a more transparent and structured process for disposing of such items. Under the revised framework, bidders must pay a minimum one-time registration fee of Rs25,000, while online bidding will remain open for 72 […]
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 […]
OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Advertising to Pakistan and 25 Other Countries
OpenAI is expanding its advertising operations to Pakistan and 25 additional countries, marking another major step in the company’s efforts to grow its business and diversify its revenue sources. With this latest expansion, ChatGPT advertising is now available across 89 markets worldwide. The move reflects OpenAI’s growing focus on advertising as a source of income […]
Pakistan’s Exporters Call for Better Trade Deals to Compete with India and Bangladesh
Pakistan’s export sector is urging the government to introduce more favorable trade policies and improve access to international markets as businesses struggle with rising production costs, energy prices and growing competition from regional rivals, particularly India and Bangladesh. During a high-level consultation chaired by Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan at the Ministry of Commerce, […]
Pakistan Poised to Lead Digital Cooperation as First Signatory of Digital and AI Compact at South Korea Summit
Pakistan is preparing to take a significant step toward strengthening its position in the global digital landscape, with the country expected to become the first signatory of the Digital and AI Compact at the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 in South Korea. The development highlights Pakistan’s growing focus on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and […]
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 […]