TOP STORIES
- Fuel price hikes put Karachi industries at risk of closure
Karachi industrialists warn that rising fuel, energy and tax costs are threatening factory operations, exports, investment and employment. - Electricity bill shock: NEPRA slaps consumers with Rs2.06 per unit hike
NEPRA approves a positive Fuel Charge Adjustment of Rs2.0581 per unit for July 2026, with eligible consumers to pay the additional amount in September bills. - Petrol price nears Rs350 per litre in Pakistan
Petrol price rises by Rs2.84 to Rs349 per litre as the government passes on higher international fuel costs, while HSD increases to Rs374.31. - Shehbaz Sharif approves trade facilitation board
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will personally chair the new board aimed at streamlining trade processes, removing barriers and improving port efficiency.
FINANCE
- Govt reviews progress on PASSCO, Utility Stores closure
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stresses timely completion, transparency and protection of public resources - PM Shehbaz says Pakistan completes difficult economic turnaround
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says fiscal, structural and governance reforms have restored macroeconomic stability and strengthened investor confidence. - FBR tax-to-GDP ratio rises to 10.3%, Aurangzeb targets 12%Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says Pakistan must raise the FBR tax-to-GDP ratio to 11%-12% in the short term while advancing structural reforms and private-sector investment.
- Pakistan’s forex reserves decline by $59m in one week
Pakistan’s total foreign exchange reserves fell to $22.528bn by August 28, despite a $20m increase in reserves held by the State Bank.
NATIONAL
- Petrol price jumps Rs12.90 per litre in PakistanPetrol rises to Rs358.77 per litre while HSD increases to Rs381.77 amid global oil market volatility
- SSGC plans Rs5.73bn gas expansion to 261 villages in Sindh
Four-phase project will establish 684.91km pipeline network and provide gas connections to 8,914 prospective consumers by FY2028-29 - PTI convoy faces roadblocks as Sohail Afridi reaches Karachi
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi accuses the Sindh government of obstructing the PTI convoy as the party’s mobilisation campaign reaches Karachi ahead of its September 27 protest. - Afridi vows Karachi march as PTI accuses Sindh government of blocking routesKP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi says PTI will continue its Karachi mobilisation despite alleged road blockades and arrests of party workers in Sindh.
TAXATION
- Indus Motor faces over Rs73bn customs duty liability
Indus Motor has disputed FBR’s export conditions linked to concessionary customs duties, with potential additional liabilities exceeding Rs73 billion if its case fails. - FBR outlines group taxation rules for Tax Year 2027
FBR explains eligibility, election and governance requirements for companies seeking group taxation treatment under Section 59AA. - FBR defines carry-forward of business losses for Tax Year 2027
FBR outlines the six-year general limit and special carry-forward periods for business losses under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. - FBR explains set-off of losses against income for Tax Year 2027
FBR outlines rules for adjusting losses against taxable income and restrictions on set-off and carry-forward under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.
MONEY & BANKING
- SBP launches women microfinance credit guarantee facility with 25% first-loss cover
The new facility provides banks and DFIs with first-loss guarantees of up to 25% to expand financing for women-led microenterprises and improve access to institutional funding. - Imran Sarwar appointed NBP president and CEO for three years
The Federal Government has appointed Imran Sarwar as National Bank of Pakistan President and CEO for a three-year term with immediate effect. - Pakistan accelerates cashless drive with new digital targets
Finance Division reviews digital payment progress, merchant adoption and government transactions ahead of the Prime Minister’s Cashless Initiative review. - Deutsche Bank eyes wider role in Pakistan’s investment and financingDeutsche Bank signals interest in expanding corporate and investment banking engagement with Pakistan
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- Fuel price hikes put Karachi industries at risk of closureKarachi industrialists warn that rising fuel, energy and tax costs are threatening factory operations, exports, investment and employment.
- Pakistan launches new insurance scheme for SME exporters
PakExim and EDF establish Rs3 billion risk pool to protect SME exporters against overseas buyer payment defaults - Pakistan Railways targets 20% freight market share after ML-1 upgrade
Railways aims to raise freight market share from 8% to 20% and passenger share from 5% to 7.52% under its reform and modernisation programme - PM Shehbaz backs Rs3bn export insurance plan to boost SMEs
EDF and EXIM Bank initiative aims to widen export credit insurance access and support Pakistan’s shift toward an export-led economy.
AUTOMOTIVE
- Indus Motor faces over Rs73bn customs duty liabilityIndus Motor has disputed FBR’s export conditions linked to concessionary customs duties, with potential additional liabilities exceeding Rs73 billion if its case fails.
- ECC approves Rs6.6bn for bulletproof vehicles ahead of SCO Summit
Cabinet body clears funds for 30 bulletproof vehicles, reviews tobacco prices and approves Danish Schools Fund - GWM Pakistan announces booking amount for Haval H6 PHEV GT: Price to reveal soon
GWM Pakistan has opened bookings for the Haval H6 PHEV GT, with the official price expected to be announced shortly. - GWM Pakistan launches Haval H6 PHEV FWD: Price and booking details revealed
The new Haval H6 PHEV FWD joins the existing AWD variant with a lower price and front-wheel-drive setup.
IT & TELECOM
- Xiaomi 18 Fold launches in China with 6,000mAh battery
Xiaomi’s new wide foldable features dual 120Hz displays, XRing 03 chip and a 200MP Leica camera - Pakistan building digital foundations to drive economic growth
Shaza Fatima says digital infrastructure, policy reforms and AI strategy can accelerate Pakistan’s economic transformation - Samsung Galaxy A07s quietly launches in Jordan
Samsung’s latest budget phone arrives with a 6.7-inch display, 5,000mAh battery and six years of updates - Oppo Find X10 series confirmed for September launch
Oppo reveals the camera-focused Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max ahead of their China debut