TOP STORIES
- PM Shehbaz raises youth loan limit to Rs25 million, lowers minimum age to 18
Government increases the financing limit under youth business and agriculture loan schemes, allocates Rs292 billion for 2026-27 and reserves 30% of loans for women. - 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.
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
- NCCIA warns public against fake Rs13,000 prime minister reward messages
Cybercrime agency cautions citizens against fraudulent cash reward offers, urging them not to click suspicious links or share personal and banking information. - PM Shehbaz raises youth loan limit to Rs25 million, lowers minimum age to 18Government increases the financing limit under youth business and agriculture loan schemes, allocates Rs292 billion for 2026-27 and reserves 30% of loans for women.
- 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.
TAXATION
- FBR explains foreign tax credit rules for Pakistan residents in TY2027
Pakistan residents claiming tax credits on foreign income must submit an application with their income tax return and provide supporting evidence of foreign tax payments. - Foreign income tax rules for Pakistan residents in TY2027 explained
Income Tax Rule 15 clarifies which foreign taxes qualify for relief against double taxation, including withholding taxes on dividends, salaries and other income. - FBR clarifies tax residency rules for individuals in Pakistan for TY2027
Income Tax Rule 14 explains how arrival and departure days, holidays, sick leave and transit periods count when determining an individual’s tax residency. - 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.
MONEY & BANKING
- SBP digital portal to simplify bank loans for small businesses
Federal Tax Ombudsman Coordinator Saif-ur-Rehman welcomes the centralised financing platform, saying it will improve transparency and accelerate SME loan disbursements. - 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.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- SIFC engages Peshawar business community to resolve investment hurdlesCouncil discusses regulatory reforms, business bottlenecks and investment facilitation with chambers of commerce in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- 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.
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 revealedThe 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
- Latest price of Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max from November 9, 2026
The PTA-approved iPhone 18 Pro Max is available in four storage variants through Mercantile, with prices reaching Rs1.115 million for the 2TB model. - Google removes Pro model access from cheapest Gemini paid plan
Google AI Plus subscribers will lose access to Pro models from November 13, while Google AI Pro users will retain access to advanced models and higher usage limits. - GTA 6 multiplayer hints emerge ahead of November 19 launchData miners discover references to multiplayer sessions in the PlayStation release build, fuelling speculation that GTA Online’s successor could arrive in 2027.
- Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max global launch set for November 17
Xiaomi will unveil its two flagship smartphones at a Paris event, featuring a Back Display and Leica dual-200MP camera system.