TOP STORIES
- National Assembly endorses KP emergency amid heated political debate
The National Assembly approves President Asif Ali Zardari’s emergency proclamation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as opposition leaders demand its reversal and ministers defend the move on security grounds. - Shehbaz Sharif says failed dialogue left government with no option on KP governor’s rule
The prime minister says restoring peace, strengthening counterterrorism institutions and accelerating development are the government’s priorities following the decision on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. - Rehman Baba Express derails in Multan, killing six and injuring 30
All 14 coaches of the Karachi-to-Peshawar train reportedly derailed near Sher Shah Bridge early Tuesday, triggering rescue operations and a response from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. - Government retires Rs2.31 trillion in bank borrowing in first quarter of FY2027
The federal government significantly reduced its reliance on bank financing during July–September, while private-sector credit demand remained subdued, according to State Bank of Pakistan data.
FINANCE
- Pakistan, US discuss trade framework, energy imports and Reko Diq investment
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb meets a US State Department ambassador in Bangkok to discuss trade, energy diversification, critical minerals, aviation financing and digital asset regulation. - Senate panel questions reliance on foreign loans for development projects
Senator Quratulain Marri calls for greater use of domestic resources as the committee reviews Rs8.1 trillion in foreign-funded projects under PSDP 2026–27 and raises concerns over delays in the M-6 Sukkur–Hyderabad Motorway. - Pakistan plans longer-term debt strategy to ease repayment pressure
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says the government aims to diversify financing sources, strengthen foreign reserves and improve Pakistan’s sovereign credit rating. - Aurangzeb to represent Pakistan at World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings 2026
Finance minister to hold over 60 high-level engagements with global financial institutions, investors, credit rating agencies and international policymakers in Bangkok.
NATIONAL
- Pakistan, Oman sign visa exemption agreement and five other MoUs
Pakistan and Oman exchange six agreements covering visa exemptions for official passport holders, information technology, media cooperation, records and archives during the 8th Joint Ministerial Commission meeting. - Pakistan hikes petrol price by Rs1.20 per litre for October 15, 2026
The government raises petrol to Rs393.86 per litre while cutting high-speed diesel to Rs396.65, amid volatile global oil markets and regional tensions. - National Assembly endorses KP emergency amid heated political debateThe National Assembly approves President Asif Ali Zardari’s emergency proclamation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as opposition leaders demand its reversal and ministers defend the move on security grounds.
- PM Shehbaz orders simplification of Apna Ghar housing loan process
Government aims to disburse Rs700 billion for 125,000 housing units while targeting Rs1,500 billion each in agriculture and SME lending by June 2027.
TAXATION
- FBR defines tax deduction on profit on debt for Tax Year 2027
FBR outlines withholding tax requirements for bank deposits, government securities and Sukuk returns, along with exceptions to minimum tax treatment. - FBR explains salary tax deduction rules for Tax Year 2027
Section 149 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 requires employers to deduct salary tax at the employee’s average tax rate, while separate rules apply to certain pension payments and directors’ fees. - FBR: Customs to collect advance tax on imports in Tax Year 2027
Section 148 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 sets out advance tax collection on imported goods, including valuation rules, minimum tax provisions and exemptions for specified transactions. - FBR cuts steel sector integration period to six months under revised sales tax rules
SRO 1788(I)/2026 amends steel-sector sales tax rules, reducing the specified period from 12 months to six months and linking system integration to a date set through a Sales Tax General Order.
MONEY & BANKING
- SBP revises sugar export rules for 200,000 tonnes, clears Punjab and Sindh mills
Banks can process exports under revised quotas for eligible sugar mills in Punjab and Sindh, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s approval remains pending. - SBP launches Banking on Equality Policy 2026 to narrow gender gap
The new policy targets greater women’s access to digital banking, financing and entrepreneurship, building on a reduction in Pakistan’s financial inclusion gender gap from 39% in 2021 to 29% in 2025. - Government retires Rs2.31 trillion in bank borrowing in first quarter of FY2027The federal government significantly reduced its reliance on bank financing during July–September, while private-sector credit demand remained subdued, according to State Bank of Pakistan data.
- Banking Ombudsman resolves Rs1.2 billion cases in favour of customers
Banking Ombudsman Pakistan disposed of 29,001 complaints during the first nine months of 2026, while receiving 33,625 new complaints, including 5,927 through the Prime Minister’s Portal.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- PM Shehbaz orders action plan to revive Pakistan’s gemstones sector
Government earmarks Rs1 billion for sector development as eight new exploration blocks are identified and Centres of Excellence are planned. - KCCI lambasts K-Electric over prolonged power outages in Karachi
KCCI President Talat Mahmood warns that prolonged outages, reportedly reaching 14 hours in some areas, are threatening industrial output, exports and livelihoods. - SBP revises sugar export rules for 200,000 tonnes, clears Punjab and Sindh millsBanks can process exports under revised quotas for eligible sugar mills in Punjab and Sindh, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s approval remains pending.
- PM Shehbaz sets Rs2.2 trillion SME financing target by 2028
The prime minister directs SMEDA to expand business loan awareness, provide feasibility studies in local languages and train 10,000 SMEs under an agreement with Alibaba.
AUTOMOTIVE
- Indus Motor reveals prices of facelifted Toyota Corolla variants
Indus Motor Company has announced introductory prices for the facelifted Toyota Corolla in Pakistan, with the 1.6 Altis MT and 1.6 Altis CVTi receiving Rs103,000 price reductions, while other variants retain their previous prices or receive interior-related changes. - Pakistan auto sales rise 19% in 1QFY27 despite September slowdown
Arif Habib Limited reports that car, LCV, van, jeep and EV sales reached 50,500 units in the first quarter of FY2026-27, while uncertainty over the upcoming auto policy weighed on September demand. - Pakistan, EU explore partnership to develop electric vehicle skills
Haroon Akhtar Khan calls for European cooperation in technical training and workforce development as Pakistan targets a 30% electric vehicle share by 2030. - Kaiyi Pakistan pushes vehicle deliveries to November 2026 amid shipping disruptions
Q-Autos Pakistan attributes the delay to international shipping problems, adverse weather in China, and port congestion affecting vehicle transportation.
IT & TELECOM
- GTA 6 PC release reportedly planned for early 2027Rockstar Games could release Grand Theft Auto 6 on PC in the first quarter of 2027, according to a report citing four industry sources, potentially giving PC players a shorter wait than they faced with GTA 5.
- Apple opens iPhone Duo pre-order preparations ahead of Friday launch
Apple has activated its Get Ready service for the iPhone Duo, allowing customers to configure their foldable smartphone purchases ahead of pre-orders opening on October 16. - Samsung adds new languages to Galaxy AI and Bixby
Samsung is expanding language support across Galaxy AI and Bixby, adding Malay, Hungarian, Polish, Thai and Vietnamese to selected features to improve translation, transcription and summarisation for more users. - JazzCash QR merchants reach 1.9 million as Pakistan expands cashless payments
Pakistan’s digital payment network continues to grow, with interoperable Raast QR technology helping small businesses accept cashless transactions and improve access to formal financial services.