TOP STORIES
- PM Shehbaz greenlights final draft of comprehensive auto policy
The proposed automotive policy prioritises vehicle localisation, stricter safety standards, electric vehicle adoption and consumer protection, with the final draft set to go before the Federal Cabinet. - NEPRA raises electricity tariff by Rs2.37 per unit for November 2026 bills
Consumers of K-Electric and former WAPDA distribution companies will face an additional fuel cost adjustment of Rs2.3673 per unit, while lifeline and prepaid consumers are exempt. - Pakistan introduces LPG auction system, caps daily allocation at 20 tonnes per company
Government reserves 10% of indigenous LPG production for state-owned marketing companies serving remote areas, while 90% will be sold through transparent auctions. - Pakistan petrol price falls by Rs31.91, diesel drops Rs24.96 in one week
Petrol price declines to Rs346 per litre and high-speed diesel to Rs378 as falling international oil benchmarks provide relief to consumers.
FINANCE
- IMF urges Pakistan to accelerate structural reforms beyond economic stabilisation
IMF, ADB, FCDO and UN representatives call for provincial tax reforms, lower business costs, energy sector restructuring, export competitiveness and improved governance to sustain economic growth. - ECC approves Rs275 billion for water projects, Rs54 billion for defence
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chairs meeting approving major supplementary grants, youth loan scheme revisions, gas supply arrangements and new import restrictions. - Pakistan, Bangladesh seek stronger economic ties, trade and investment cooperation
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and a high-level Bangladeshi delegation discuss economic reforms, debt management, textile cooperation and opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment. - Pakistan assumes G-24 chairmanship, Aurangzeb sets three key prioritiesFinance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb pledges to promote development-led growth, strengthen the representation of developing economies and reform the international financial system.
NATIONAL
- NEPRA raises electricity tariff by Rs2.37 per unit for November 2026 billsConsumers of K-Electric and former WAPDA distribution companies will face an additional fuel cost adjustment of Rs2.3673 per unit, while lifeline and prepaid consumers are exempt.
- Pakistan introduces LPG auction system, caps daily allocation at 20 tonnes per companyGovernment reserves 10% of indigenous LPG production for state-owned marketing companies serving remote areas, while 90% will be sold through transparent auctions.
- ECP sets December 31 deadline for politicians to declare assets
Parliamentarians and provincial assembly members must submit Form-B declarations covering their own, spouses’ and dependent children’s assets and liabilities for the 2025-26 financial year. - Pakistan petrol price falls by Rs31.91, diesel drops Rs24.96 in one weekPetrol price declines to Rs346 per litre and high-speed diesel to Rs378 as falling international oil benchmarks provide relief to consumers.
TAXATION
- FBR sets record-keeping rules for PSX investors for Tax Year 2027
Investors must maintain separate brokerage account records, fortnightly broker and CDC statements, securities holdings and details of all fund deposits and withdrawals. - FBR disallows capital loss adjustment in wash sales, cross trades and tax swaps for 2027
The tax authority has identified three types of transactions in which investors cannot claim capital losses to offset taxable gains under Section 37A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. - FBR explains FIFO method, capital loss carry-forward and derivatives tax rules for 2027
The FBR has clarified FIFO accounting, adjustment and carry-forward of capital losses, and calculation methods for futures, options, borrowed shares and leveraged securities. - FBR clarifies 182-day and 365-day securities holding period rules for Tax Year 2027
The tax authority has clarified how holding periods are calculated for securities, short positions and futures contracts under Section 37A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
MONEY & BANKING
- SBP recovers Rs104.34 million in penalties from Bank Al Habib
Bank Al Habib paid Rs104.34 million in monetary penalties to the State Bank of Pakistan during the first nine months of 2026, up from Rs76.27 million a year earlier. - Pakistan bank deposits hit record high, near Rs40 trillion in September 2026
SBP data shows banking system deposits increased 15.90% year-on-year to Rs39.94 trillion, with personal accounts accounting for Rs18.35 trillion. - SBP foreign exchange reserves rise by $40 million to $21.56 billion
Total liquid reserves increase by $110 million in a week, while SBP-held reserves climb to $21.56 billion as import cover improves to 3.93 months. - HBL needs Rs6 billion to meet SBP’s new minimum capital requirement
Habib Bank Limited says statutory and other reserves are sufficient to bridge the capital shortfall as its balance sheet expands to Rs8.9 trillion.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- FPCCI urges investment in 5G infrastructure to accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation
Shahid Imran calls for supportive spectrum policies, foreign investment and public-private partnerships to modernise agriculture, industry and digital services. - Power Division rejects industrial electricity tariff hike reports
Government says industrial electricity rates have fallen by Rs18.94 per unit since March 2024, while revised Rs25.30 marginal rate applies only to the incremental consumption package. - Khurram Ijaz raises alarm over widening trade deficit
BMPP General Secretary urges government to reduce energy costs, rationalise taxes and improve the business environment to boost exports. - Pakistan trade deficit surges 16% to $14.63 billion in 4MFY27
Imports rise 12.59% to $25.96 billion during July–October, outpacing export growth of 8.52% and widening the country’s external trade gap.
AUTOMOTIVE
- PM Shehbaz greenlights final draft of comprehensive auto policyThe proposed automotive policy prioritises vehicle localisation, stricter safety standards, electric vehicle adoption and consumer protection, with the final draft set to go before the Federal Cabinet.
- Valore Quad unveiled in Pakistan with G-Wagon-inspired design, bookings open from November 16
Valore Motor Corporation has introduced its first electric vehicle in Pakistan, featuring a 21.6 kWh LFP battery, a claimed 292 km WLTP range and a top speed of 75 km/h. Pricing will be announced later. - BMW Dewan launches BMW iX5 Exclusive Package in Pakistan: Price revealed
The all-electric BMW iX5 60 xDrive arrives with 578 hp, an 845 km claimed WLTP range and an exclusive package priced at Rs43.50 million. - Chery Master starts early deliveries of Chery Q electric hatchback in PakistanThe first batch of Chery Q has reached customers ahead of schedule, while eligible early buyers are also being offered a complimentary 7 kW home charger.
IT & TELECOM
- FPCCI urges investment in 5G infrastructure to accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformationShahid Imran calls for supportive spectrum policies, foreign investment and public-private partnerships to modernise agriculture, industry and digital services.
- WhatsApp tests new Privacy Feature to let users hide phone numbers
WhatsApp is developing additional phone number privacy controls for users with usernames, allowing them to decide who can see their contact details in chats and calls. - JazzWorld revenue rises 26.6% to Rs144.9bn in Q3 2026
Strong growth in digital and financial services boosts JazzWorld’s quarterly performance, with digital revenue reaching Rs58.1 billion and JazzCash transaction value climbing to Rs6.9 trillion - Apple may remove Action Button from future iPhones
A new leak suggests Apple could combine the Action Button and Camera Control into a single physical key on iPhones launching in the second half of 2027.