TOP STORIES
- Pakistan E&P earnings surge as super tax reversals boost FY26 profits
OGDC, PPL, Mari Petroleum and POL reverse Rs77.8 billion in prior-year super tax provisions, lifting combined reported profit growth to 30.9% - PM Shehbaz renews talks offer to PTI, urges end to long march
Prime minister says government is ready for dialogue if PTI ends its protest campaign, while warning that economic activity and public safety must be protected - PM Shehbaz approves corporate overhaul of livestock sector
Government plans specialised export farms, modern animal traceability and disease-control measures to expand Pakistan’s meat and livestock exports. - UN Chief Guterres heads to Pakistan as Islamabad pushes US-Iran dialogue
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is visiting Pakistan for four days as Islamabad seeks to support dialogue between Washington and Tehran and strengthen diplomatic efforts.
FINANCE
- Pakistan accelerates access to finance as SME, agriculture and housing lending rise
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb calls for faster implementation, stronger private-sector participation and wider financing access. - Pakistan invites German companies to explore investment opportunities
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan urges German businesses to join FoodAg 2026 and pursue partnerships across agriculture, technology, manufacturing and renewable energy - Pakistan shifts from economic stability toward sustainable growth: Aurangzeb
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says stronger fiscal and external buffers are creating room for responsible growth, investment and climate-focused development. - PM Shehbaz renews talks offer to PTI, urges end to long marchPrime minister says government is ready for dialogue if PTI ends its protest campaign, while warning that economic activity and public safety must be protected
NATIONAL
- Pakistan raises petrol price by Rs1.82, cuts HSD by 91 paisas
Petrol rises to Rs396.65 per litre while high-speed diesel falls to Rs394.94 under the new daily fuel pricing mechanism. - Senate panel pushes faster gasification of villages near gas fields
Committee seeks early ECC funding, cost review and province-wise report on delayed gasification projects. - PM Shehbaz orders measures to expand finance for housing, agriculture and SMEs
Prime minister directs authorities to remove lending bottlenecks and make the SME Portal operational by November to improve access to credit. - PM Shehbaz directs corporate-style reforms in Pakistan RailwaysPrime minister orders faster ML-1 development, commercial use of recovered railway land and bank financing to strengthen the railways.
TAXATION
- PRA records 31% revenue growth in first quarter of FY27
Punjab Revenue Authority collects Rs87 billion in Q1 of FY27, up from Rs66.3 billion a year earlier, setting a new quarterly tax collection record. - FBR cancels all NOCs issued to tax officials
Inland Revenue Service officers must apply afresh for permissions under the newly promulgated Civil Servants (Conduct) Rules, 2026. - FBR introduces export facilitation scheme for meat and live animals
Draft customs rules introduce dedicated tracks for imported livestock, fattening, meat processing and re-export under the Export Facilitation Scheme. - FBR authorises four vendors to monitor production in five sectors
The approved vendors will supply and operate IP cameras and network video recorders for electronic production monitoring under Sales Tax Rules.
MONEY & BANKING
- SBP financial inclusion index rises to 59.5 in 2025
Pakistan’s Financial Inclusion Index improves from 58.1 in 2024, driven by stronger digital payments, account access and financial literacy. - SBP introduces SOPs to invest in Naya Pakistan certificates
The central bank has issued procedures for agent banks to remit the face value of UAE dirham-denominated Naya Pakistan Certificates through a designated SBP account in Dubai. - Digital payments reach 92% of Pakistan’s retail transactions: SBPPakistan recorded 14.3 billion retail payment transactions worth PKR 673 trillion in FY26, with digital channels accounting for 13.2 billion transactions.
- SBP launches Pakistan Express Clearing System to speed up cheque processingThe new system will initially operate on a pilot basis from October 15, with nationwide coverage targeted by April 30, 2027.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- PM Shehbaz orders measures to expand finance for housing, agriculture and SMEsPrime minister directs authorities to remove lending bottlenecks and make the SME Portal operational by November to improve access to credit.
- SBP clears export of 200,000 tonnes of sugar under new quota
Central bank sets payment, shipping and reporting conditions for sugar exports approved by the ECC and Federal Cabinet. - Pakistan secures additional 70,000-tonne rice export deal with Malaysia
Additional rice exports to Malaysia are expected to boost foreign exchange earnings, support farmers and strengthen Pakistan’s export-led growth strategy. - Pakistan exports rise 11% to $8.42 billion in 1QFY27
Pakistan’s exports increased by 11% in the first quarter of FY27, but faster import growth pushed the trade deficit to $10.79 billion.
AUTOMOTIVE
- Suzuki e-Sky uses BYD battery to cut electric vehicle costs
Suzuki’s newly launched e-Sky relies on BYD’s LFP battery technology while targeting the most affordable position in Japan’s Kei EV market. - New updates in Toyota Corolla facelift explained as enthusiasts await price announcement
The facelift brings exterior, interior, lighting, connectivity and convenience upgrades while Toyota Corolla prices remain awaited. - Kia Sorento enters new price bracket as LMC unveils limited-time hybrid deal
Revised pricing gives Sorento hybrid buyers savings of up to Rs2.5 million - BYD Racco EV set for wider RHD market expansion
BYD is preparing to take its compact Racco electric car beyond its original market, with launches planned for two new destinations.
IT & TELECOM
- Samsung rolls out One UI 9 to Galaxy S24 and Fold6
Samsung has started bringing its Android 17-based One UI 9 update to more older flagship Galaxy devices. - Spotify to expand audiobooks to more than 180 markets
Spotify will bring audiobooks to more than 180 markets by the end of 2026, expanding access to hundreds of thousands of titles. - WhatsApp may block logins on outdated Android and iOS
A new server-side update reportedly requires some users to update their phone’s operating system before they can access their WhatsApp account. - iPhone 18 Pro users report camera-area colour changes
Reddit users say the rear panel is developing discolouration around the cameras, with the Burgundy model appearing particularly affected.