TOP STORIES
- Pakistan assumes G-24 chairmanship, Aurangzeb sets three key priorities
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb pledges to promote development-led growth, strengthen the representation of developing economies and reform the international financial system. - Pakistan offers Saudi Arabia tax-free oil storage facilities to attract energy investment
New tax-neutral bonded policy allows Saudi companies to maintain commercial oil reserves in Pakistan, while Islamabad seeks investment in storage, refineries and petroleum infrastructure. - PTCL loses Rs1 billion revenue due to network closures in AJK, KP
PTCL management says group revenue remained broadly stagnant quarter-on-quarter despite nearly 2% subscriber growth, as network disruptions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa affected business performance. - SBP doubles minimum capital requirement for local banks to Rs20 billion
Arif Habib Limited analysts expect listed banks to maintain sufficient capital buffers under the revised framework, with no material impact on dividend payouts.
FINANCE
- 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.
- Pakistan inflation set to hit 10.5% in October, finance ministry warns
The Finance Ministry projects inflation between 9.5% and 10.5% as rising global energy prices, food supplies and geopolitical tensions pose risks to economic stability. - Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss trade, investment and economic cooperationFinance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Saudi Ambassador Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy explore investment opportunities in agriculture, minerals, mining and other key sectors.
- Aurangzeb urges faster SME and farm loans as financing reaches Rs1.15 trillion for SMEs
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb urges banks and implementing agencies to accelerate loan disbursements as financing expands across small businesses, farmers, housing and electric vehicles.
NATIONAL
- PIA to resume Karachi-UK flights in January, induct four aircraft
Defence Parliamentary Secretary Osama Sarwar says two additional aircraft will join the national airline’s fleet in January to support operations from Karachi. - Govt keeps petrol price unchanged, raises diesel by Rs2.29 per litre
Petrol remains at Rs377.91 per litre, while High Speed Diesel rises to Rs402.96 for October 31 to November 2. - Pakistan’s annual SPI inflation hits 11.32% as food and energy costs surge
Weekly inflation declines 0.35%, but LPG, electricity, petrol and diesel record sharp year-on-year increases, according to PBS. - Pakistan raises diesel price by 85 paisas per litre, keeps petrol unchanged
High-speed diesel rises to Rs400.67 per litre under the daily fuel pricing mechanism, while petrol remains at Rs377.91.
TAXATION
- FBR sets advance tax rules for brokerage and commission Income in TY2027
Section 233 requires eligible businesses and government entities to deduct withholding tax on brokerage and commission payments, with deductions treated as minimum tax. - FBR imposes Rs200,000 tax on foreign domestic workers for TY2027
Employers hiring foreign domestic workers will face Rs200,000 adjustable advance tax when obtaining or renewing domestic aide visas under Section 231C. - FBR explains advance tax on motor vehicles for Tax Year 2027
Section 231B requires tax collection at vehicle registration, transfer and sale, with a 4% advance tax applicable to non-filers leasing motor vehicles. - FBR imposes 0.8% tax on cash withdrawals by non-filers for TY2027
Banks will deduct 0.8% adjustable advance tax from individuals not appearing on the Active Taxpayers List (ATL) when their combined daily cash withdrawals exceed Rs50,000.
MONEY & BANKING
- SBP raises SME financing to Rs1.11 trillion, announces Rs50m collateral-free loan limit
Governor Jameel Ahmad says SME financing has more than doubled since June 2024, while the SME Connect Portal will allow businesses to apply for loans online from November 1. - SBP issues draft open banking regulations, seeks public feedback
Proposed framework aims to enable secure financial data sharing, promote digital payments and improve access to financing for SMEs, with feedback invited by November 30. - UBL pays Rs35.71 million in SBP penalties during 9M 2026
United Bank Limited’s total regulatory penalties fell to Rs36.53 million in the first nine months of 2026, while its profit after tax rose to Rs115.2 billion. - SBP makes SMEConnect mandatory for business financing from November 1
Small and medium enterprises will have to submit financing applications through the centralised digital platform, which also enables real-time tracking.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- SECP declares 39,704 companies inactive over four years of non-filing
The corporate regulator has taken action against thousands of companies for failing to submit mandatory annual returns and financial statements, restricting their access to banking and corporate services until compliance is restored. - Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss boosting bilateral trade and investmentCommerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and newly appointed Saudi Ambassador Dr Rajeh Albugamy discuss investment, agricultural cooperation and early implementation of the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement.
- SMEDA partners with Alibaba.com to help 2,000 Pakistani SMEs access global markets
Initiative targets training for 10,000 businesses, offers financial support of up to Rs150,000 per eligible enterprise and facilitates digital onboarding on the global B2B platform. - Pakistan plans fast-track cotton seed approval to revive production
The government is considering reducing approval time for imported cotton seed from seven years to 12–18 months as it targets higher yields, lower costs and improved farmer profitability.
AUTOMOTIVE
- Buraq Automobile announces delivery time and key details for Moto Morini Alltrhike 450
The locally assembled adventure motorcycle will come with a 2-year/25,000 km warranty, while the company confirms specifications and quality remain identical to imported units. - Sazgar takes Pakistani three-wheeler manufacturing overseas with new Philippines plant
The Pakistani automaker has inaugurated its first international three-wheeler assembly facility in the Philippines, marking a major step in its overseas expansion strategy. - Toyota developing new 1.5L hybrid engine with 15% better fuel economy
Toyota’s next-generation 1.5-litre engine will power future hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, potentially delivering fuel consumption as low as 3.0L/100km. - Chery’s new Emta electric K-Car revealed with rugged off-road design
Patent images reveal production-ready details of Chery-backed Emta’s upcoming electric kei car, including a rugged softroader version set to challenge BYD Racco in Japan.
IT & TELECOM
- WhatsApp introduces Group Status and new features for chats
The messaging platform is rolling out four updates to improve group communication, message sharing and chat management. - iPhone 18 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: Which model should you buy
Apple’s two flagship smartphones offer almost identical performance and camera capabilities, but the Pro Max delivers longer battery life, faster charging and louder speakers. - Apple overtakes Nvidia to become world’s most valuable company at $5.03 trillion
Apple regains the top position as concerns over AI infrastructure spending weigh on technology stocks, while its shares outperform Nvidia in 2026. - Samsung reportedly developing a massive 17-inch foldable tablet
A tipster claims Samsung has started work on a device that could expand from an 8-inch tablet into a 17-inch display, although its launch timeline remains unknown.