Pakistan Accelerates National Digital Vision with Plans for a Unified Digital Identity
Pakistan is moving closer to a digitally connected future as the federal government speeds up the implementation of its National Digital Vision. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed relevant authorities to fast-track the country’s digital transformation, with the ultimate goal of providing citizens with a single digital identity for accessing a wide range of public […]
FBR Collected Rs1.866 Trillion in Taxes Through Electricity Bills Over Four Years
Electricity bills in Pakistan have become more than just a payment for power consumption—they have also become an important channel for tax collection. According to a briefing presented to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has collected a total of Rs1.866 trillion in sales tax and income […]
FBR to Temporarily Shut Down Online Tax Services for Scheduled Maintenance from August 8–10
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced a temporary suspension of several of its online tax platforms due to planned system maintenance. The maintenance exercise is aimed at improving the performance and reliability of the digital tax infrastructure, but it will temporarily interrupt access to a number of important services. According to the FBR, […]
Pakistan’s Tax Tribunal Backlog Continues to Grow Despite High-Paid Appointments
Pakistan’s efforts to speed up the resolution of tax disputes are under renewed scrutiny after the backlog of cases at the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) climbed to nearly 68,000. The increase comes despite the government’s decision to appoint 24 private-sector professionals on market-based salaries reaching as high as Rs2.6 million per month. The appointments […]
Pakistan Misses IMF Circular Debt Target as Power Sector Liabilities Rise to Rs1.835 Trillion
Pakistan’s power sector continues to face serious financial challenges, with circular debt climbing to Rs1.835 trillion by the end of June 2026. The figure is Rs221 billion higher than the ceiling of Rs1.614 trillion agreed under the country’s programmed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), raising fresh concerns about the pace of energy sector reforms. […]
Pakistan Plans to Market Roosevelt Hotel as US Investors Show Growing Interest
Pakistan is preparing to launch the sale of the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, with the government aiming to take the landmark property to the market by December 2026. The move comes as several US financial institutions have reportedly expressed interest in the high-profile asset, highlighting its strong investment appeal. The update was shared by […]
OICCI Urges FBR to Release Rs103 Billion in Outstanding Tax Refunds
Pakistan’s investment climate has once again come under the spotlight as the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to expedite the payment of approximately Rs103 billion in pending tax refunds owed to its member companies. According to the chamber, the outstanding amount includes Rs68 […]
Pakistan’s Auto Industry Accelerates: Passenger Car Sales Surge 39% in FY2025-26
Pakistan’s automobile industry continued its recovery in FY2025-26, delivering another year of impressive growth as improving economic conditions, affordable financing, and competitive pricing encouraged consumers to return to the market. The latest industry figures show that passenger vehicle demand remained strong, while commercial vehicles and motorcycles also posted healthy gains. Passenger Vehicle Market Shows Strong […]
SBP Sets Ambitious Goal to Expand SME Financing to Rs1.5 Trillion by 2028
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly increase financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), setting a target of Rs1.5 trillion in SME financing by June 2028. The central bank also aims to raise the number of SME borrowers to 750,000, reflecting its commitment to strengthening one of […]
Why Pakistan’s Army Is Returning to Locally Grown Wheat
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved a significant change in the way wheat is supplied to the Pakistan Army, opting for fresh, locally grown grain instead of the current combination of imported and domestic wheat. The decision reflects growing concerns over food quality while also promising substantial savings for the national exchequer. During a […]
Interior Ministry Faces Highest Number of Audit Observations in AGP Report
The latest audit report by the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has placed the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control at the top of the list for audit observations among federal ministries. The comprehensive 399-page report highlights 65 audit objections, raising concerns over financial recoveries, licensing procedures, procurement practices, and administrative compliance. Significant Financial Recoveries […]
Government’s Ownership in PPL Rises Following Share Transfer
The Government of Pakistan has increased its direct ownership in Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) after a substantial block of shares previously held by an employee trust was transferred to the state. The move has raised the government’s shareholding in the company from 67.51% to 74.86%, strengthening its position as the majority stakeholder. According to a […]
PSX Rally Loses Steam Despite Optimism Over US-Iran Diplomatic Progress
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) kicked off the week with strong momentum as investors welcomed signs of progress in diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran. The positive sentiment initially pushed the benchmark KSE-100 Index sharply higher, although the market later gave back a significant portion of those gains as traders remained cautious about […]
National Assembly Approves Rs40.74 Trillion Charged Expenditure for FY2026-27
The National Assembly has approved charged expenditures totaling Rs40.742 trillion from the Federal Consolidated Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The approval came after a detailed discussion on the allocations presented by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb. Unlike regular budgetary expenditures, these allocations fall under constitutional provisions that allow lawmakers to debate […]
Islamabad Approves New Vehicle Token Tax Structure to Boost Revenue
Vehicle owners in Islamabad may soon face higher annual token tax payments after a revised taxation framework received approval from the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance. The new system aims to modernize the existing tax structure and increase government revenue by linking token tax directly to a vehicle’s value rather than relying solely on […]
Pakistan Moves Toward Modern Financial Dispute Resolution System
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has taken an important step toward improving the country’s financial dispute resolution framework by exploring the establishment of Pakistan’s first Financial Services Dispute Resolution Centre. The initiative was discussed during a stakeholder consultation held in Islamabad, where policymakers, legal experts, regulators, and financial sector representatives gathered to […]
FBR Extends Office Operations Ahead of Fiscal Year-End Revenue Drive
As the fiscal year draws to a close, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced special operational arrangements aimed at boosting tax and duty collections across the country. In a recent directive, the tax authority instructed all of its field offices to remain open on June 27 and 28, 2026, despite the weekend schedule. […]
Pakistan’s Supreme Court Embraces Digital Payments for Court Fees
Pakistan’s judicial system is taking a significant step toward digital transformation with the introduction of an electronic court fee payment system. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has partnered with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and 1LINK (Guarantee) Limited to bring modern payment solutions to court services, making the process easier and more efficient for […]
Pakistan Embraces AI-Driven Governance with Launch of Advanced Monitoring Platform
Pakistan has taken another step toward digital transformation with the introduction of an artificial intelligence-powered system designed to improve government oversight and administrative efficiency. The newly launched Prime Minister’s Office System (PMOS) aims to strengthen coordination among federal institutions, ensure timely execution of government decisions, and enhance the overall quality of public service delivery. The […]
Pakistan Moves to Tax Social Media Income with New 5% Levy Proposal
As Pakistan’s digital economy continues to expand, the government is taking steps to bring online earnings under a more structured taxation framework. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance has approved a proposal to introduce a 5% tax on income generated through social media platforms, targeting content creators, influencers, and digital entrepreneurs. The proposal was reviewed […]