TOP STORIES
- Middle East conflict wipes out over Rs140bn in Pakistan tax revenue
FBR estimates Rs144bn revenue loss in July-September as energy disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz weigh on economic activity and tax collection. - FBR warns of false statements in 2026 tax returns as deadline nears
Taxpayers could face a penalty of Rs500,000 or 100% of the tax shortfall for false or misleading declarations under the Income Tax Ordinance. - Dera Ismail Khan checkpoint bombing kills 12 as TTP claims attack; rescue workers targeted
Twelve people were killed and 35 injured in the Aman Mela checkpoint bombing, while two Rescue 1122 workers died when an ambulance carrying victims came under fire. - Shehbaz warns India water diversion would be treated as act of war at UNGA
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calls for diplomacy to resolve regional conflicts and warns India against stopping or diverting Pakistan’s share of river waters.
FINANCE
- Finance Minister, Standard Chartered CEO discuss Pakistan’s reform agenda
Muhammad Aurangzeb and Bill Winters explore investment, Sukuk, tokenization and capital market opportunities. - PM Shehbaz meets global finance giants to boost Pakistan investment
Barclays, J.P. Morgan, Citi, BlackRock and Rothschild & Co discuss Pakistan’s reforms, capital markets and investment opportunities. - Pakistan, IMF launch talks on EFF and RSF reviews amid economic uncertainty
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb holds an initial meeting with the IMF mission led by Iva Petrova as Pakistan enters the latest review phase of its economic programme. - Pakistan pledges public disclosure of top bureaucracy assets to IMF by December
Around 10,000 federal civil servants are expected to submit digital asset declarations by October 30, with public disclosure targeted for December 2026.
NATIONAL
- 21 new rescue and firefighting vehicles arrive in Pakistan after 17 yearsNew fleet from China will strengthen emergency response services in Islamabad with advanced firefighting and rescue capabilities.
- Karachi to get Pakistan’s largest Interior Ministry facilitation centreThe new Grand Facilitation Centre will bring passport, CNIC, arms licence and NOC services under one roof.
- PM fuel relief scheme attracts 7.6 million registrations
The government says around 7.6 million people have successfully registered, while the token redemption process has entered its second week. - NEPRA to review Rs22.98/kWh incremental consumption package on October 5
The power regulator will assess whether the existing incremental consumption tariff should be increased to reflect the actual marginal cost of electricity.
TAXATION
- FBR says small shopkeepers tax scheme in early stages
The tax authority says it is working with traders to resolve registration issues and ensure a smooth implementation of the simplified scheme. - KTBA urges FBR to fix IRIS issues before tax return deadline
KTBA urges FBR to fix system deficiencies, review disclosure requirements and ensure taxpayers have adequate time to file Tax Year 2026 returns - FBR specifies HS codes for input tax adjustment
The tax authority adds 18 steel-related HS codes to the list restricting input tax adjustment for steel melters and re-rollers. - FBR introduces rules for sealing business premises and seizing non-compliant goods
New procedures establish approval requirements for sealing non-integrated businesses and set out rules for the seizure and confiscation of non-compliant goods.
MONEY & BANKING
- Banks to extend working hours on September 30, 2026 to facilitate tax collection
Commercial bank branches will remain open late to help taxpayers complete government duty and tax payments before the deadline. - SBP governor launches Rs16bn Pasban remittance reward scheme
The Pasban scheme will distribute Rs4 billion in cash prizes every quarter to eligible home-remittance beneficiaries using formal banking channels. - Insurance claims worth Rs548 billion settled in 2025: SECP
Pakistan’s insurers settled more than one million claims in 2025 as the industry recorded strong growth in premiums, assets and digital insurance. - SBP foreign exchange reserves rise $11 million to $21.4bn
Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves reached $26.81 billion during the week ended September 18, according to the central bank.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- KCCI hails FBR STGO No. 25 to facilitate manufacturers
KCCI says the FBR’s latest sales tax order clarifies stock transfers between factories and own warehouses and removes unnecessary compliance hurdles. - PM Shehbaz invites US businesses to explore Pakistan’s investment potential
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlights investment opportunities in agriculture, minerals, IT, energy, ports and privatisation during a meeting with US business leaders in New York. - Pakistan, European Parliament delegation discuss human rights, GSP+
Azam Nazeer Tarar briefs MEPs on Pakistan’s legal framework and cyber laws as both sides call for greater dialogue and parliamentary engagement. - OICCI Urges Investment and Export Reforms as IMF Team Visits Karachi
Business leaders call for stronger investor confidence, energy security, export growth and structural reforms to support Pakistan’s economy.
AUTOMOTIVE
- Honda BR-V discontinued in Pakistan after years of declining demand
Honda Atlas Cars removes the BR-V from its official lineup as the seven-seater crossover faces declining demand and growing competition. - Indus Motor says competitors are misclassifying REEVs to avail lower GST rates
Toyota Indus Motor Company raises concerns over the classification of range-extended electric vehicles, while expecting the FBR to resolve the issue and ensure a level playing field for automakers. - Toyota global sales fall 6.4% in August as China, Middle East demand weakens
Toyota’s worldwide vehicle sales declined for a second consecutive month, with sharp falls in China and the Middle East offsetting stronger demand in Japan. - Chery says Boxy Defender-Like SUVs will remain popular
Chery’s global design chief believes upright, square-shaped SUVs have become an enduring design trend rather than a temporary styling fad.
IT & TELECOM
- Xiaomi 18 tipped with dual 200MP cameras and 7,200mAh battery
The standard Xiaomi 18 is reportedly set to launch in China in December with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset and 6.4-inch display. - Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra tipped to bring major camera processing upgrades
Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to introduce several changes to its camera system and image processing when it launches in early 2027, according to a new leak. - Xiaomi 18 leak reveals 6.4-inch display and 200MP camerasXiaomi’s standard flagship is reportedly set to arrive in China with a compact OLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and a 7,200mAh battery.
- Honor Magic9 Pro Max launches with dual 200MP cameras
Honor’s new flagship pairs ARRI camera technology with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, an 8,800mAh battery and a 120Hz LTPO OLED display.