TOP STORIES
- 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. - 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. - Federal government imposes emergency, governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
President Zardari approves constitutional measures amid worsening security, while the federal government announces administrative changes in the province.
FINANCE
- Senate panel questions reliance on foreign loans for development projectsSenator 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. - Government moves to simplify retailers’ tax registration in Pakistan
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reviews the retailers’ tax scheme, focusing on easier compliance, identifying unregistered businesses, and expanding the country’s tax base.
NATIONAL
- Rehman Baba Express derails in Multan, killing six and injuring 30All 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.
- Pakistan cuts petrol price by Rs2.93, raises diesel by 61 paisas
Petrol falls to Rs395.37 per litre while high-speed diesel rises to Rs396.85 under the daily fuel pricing mechanism based on a seven-day average of international oil prices. - Senate committee questions minor fuel price cuts despite adequate stocks
The Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum also condemned the termination of 15 ISGS employees and raised concerns over rising costs and delays in providing gas connections to residents of Quetta. - KP emergency: schools, colleges and universities closed in many districts
Authorities in Swabi, Mardan and Nowshera order the closure of public and private educational institutions, while examinations scheduled for Monday are cancelled in two districts.
TAXATION
- PM Shehbaz sets December 31 deadline for sales tax production monitoring system
The government plans to extend automated production monitoring across manufacturing sectors to curb tax evasion, with additional equipment procurement deadlines set for October. - FBR reveals release date for Active Taxpayers List for Tax Year 2026
The Federal Board of Revenue is expected to publish the new ATL a day after the extended income tax return filing deadline, subject to any further extension. - FBR sets 3% advance tax on provincial sales tax registered persons for TY2027
Section 147A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 requires eligible provincial sales tax registered persons to pay adjustable advance tax monthly, subject to an exclusion for persons on the Active Taxpayer List on June 30, 2026. - All you know about advance tax payment deadlines in Pakistan during tax year 2027
Section 147 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 sets quarterly advance tax deadlines for individuals, companies and associations of persons, with separate payment dates and rules for estimating tax liability.
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
- 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. - Finance Minister vows local measures to address poultry sector issues
Muhammad Aurangzeb says Pakistan’s poultry industry supports 1.5 million families but exports remain below $4 million annually. - Karachi business leaders cry foul over deteriorating civic infrastructure
BMG Chairman Zubair Motiwala calls for urgent reforms, warning that crumbling roads, water shortages, unreliable utilities, corruption and rising crime are undermining Karachi’s industrial competitiveness and economic potential.
AUTOMOTIVE
- 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. - Aurangzeb holds IMF, World Bank meetings to advance Pakistan’s economic reformsPakistan discusses economic stability, climate financing, debt management and foreign investment with international financial institutions during the 2026 Annual Meetings in Bangkok.
- Smart #2 makes global debut at Paris Motor Show with €19,990 starting price
The compact electric two-seater revives the spirit of the original Smart Fortwo, offering a 410 km CLTC range, fast charging and a limited Couture Edition.
IT & TELECOM
- 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. - Apple unveils $299 HomeView smart display with AI-Powered Siri
Apple has introduced a new wall-mounted smart home display, alongside updated HomePod speakers, Apple TV devices and third-party accessories, as it seeks to strengthen its position in the connected-home market. - Google unveils Fitbit Edge fitness tracker with seven-day battery
The new $180 wearable features an AMOLED display, GPS tracking, advanced health sensors and up to seven days of battery life. - OnePlus 16 launches with 200MP camera and 9,000mAh battery
OnePlus introduces its new China-exclusive flagship with a 185Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processor and 100W wired charging.