TOP STORIES
- PM Shehbaz reaffirms Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir Black Day
The prime minister calls for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute under relevant UN Security Council resolutions and reaffirms Pakistan’s support for Kashmiri self-determination. - SBP raises policy rate to 12%, sees no immediate resolution to Middle East conflict
State Bank increases interest rate by 50 basis points as elevated energy prices and rising inflation worsen the economic outlook, while GDP growth is projected at 3.5–4.5% for FY2027. - FBR orders video surveillance of textile production by November 15
Registered textile spinning units must install cameras on fibre-processing machinery by November 15, 2026, under a new sales tax order aimed at strengthening electronic production monitoring. - Pakistan’s imports from Saudi Arabia fall 18.55% in 1QFY27
Pakistan’s import payments to Saudi Arabia decline to $720 million in July–September FY27 amid Middle East tensions and shipping disruptions.
FINANCE
- Government approves key board appointments at PSO, digital wallet company
The Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises approves new independent directors for Pakistan State Oil and a sovereign virtual assets company while deferring the proposed pharmaceutical export council for further consultations. - Pakistan targets $5.5 billion IT exports and $44 billion remittancesFinance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says structural reforms, lower energy costs, tax improvements and private investment are central to achieving sustainable, export-led economic growth.
- Pakistan, Canada conclude third round of investment treaty talks
The negotiations aim to establish a transparent investment framework, boost investor confidence and expand Canadian investment in Pakistan’s renewable energy, mining, agriculture and IT sectors. - BOA approves Karachi Industrial Park as federal special economic zoneThe Board of Approvals also endorses criteria for government-funded utilities in privately established zones and a long-term land lease policy for public-sector industrial estates in Punjab.
NATIONAL
- NEPRA proposes standalone power projects under 2026 draft regulations
The proposed rules would allow federal and provincial governments to introduce standalone electricity systems in selected areas, with public consultation open for 30 days. - Pakistan fixes wheat support price at Rs4,500 per maund
The government unveils a National Wheat Policy after nearly four decades, plans strategic reserves of six million tonnes and pledges to protect farmers from market volatility. - Pakistan increases petrol price by Rs1.54, HSD by Rs2.16
The government has fixed petrol at Rs379.25 per litre and high-speed diesel at Rs395.82 for October 27 amid volatility in global oil markets. - Pakistan discontinues machine-readable passports, switches to e-passports
Passport offices nationwide and Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad will issue only e-passports from October 23, 2026, while existing machine-readable passports remain valid until expiry.
TAXATION
- FBR warns taxpayers of 12% or KIBOR+3% default surcharge in Tax Year 2027
Section 205 of the Income Tax Ordinance sets out penalties for late tax payments, unpaid advance tax and failures to collect or deposit withholding tax. - FBR may arrest tax filers, non-filers over concealed income in Tax Year 2027
Tax authorities may arrest taxpayers following an audit and assessment if concealed income results in unpaid tax of Rs100 million for filers or Rs25 million for non-filers, subject to mandatory approval. - FBR warns company directors and AOP members over tax offences in 2027
Section 200 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 sets out when company officers and members of associations of persons can be held responsible for offences, subject to legal safeguards. - FBR warns of severe punishment for false statements in Tax Year 2027
Section 195 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 provides for imprisonment of up to two years, a fine or both for knowingly or recklessly making materially false or misleading statements to tax authorities.
MONEY & BANKING
- SBP’s policy rate and overnight repo / reverse-repo facilities
The State Bank of Pakistan raises its policy rate to 12%, with the overnight interest rate corridor set between 11% and 13%, effective October 27, 2026. - Bank of Punjab reports Rs4.9bn profit in 3QCY26
BOP’s quarterly earnings decline 2% year-on-year, while nine-month profit rises 24% to Rs14.3 billion amid growth in interest and non-funded income. - SBP raises policy rate to 12%, sees no immediate resolution to Middle East conflictState Bank increases interest rate by 50 basis points as elevated energy prices and rising inflation worsen the economic outlook, while GDP growth is projected at 3.5–4.5% for FY2027.
- SBP revises capital rules for banks’ mutual fund investmentsThe revised framework introduces three approaches for calculating capital requirements on fund investments, with banks and development finance institutions required to comply from December 31, 2026.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- Pakistan sets 120-day roadmap for shrimp farming and exports
A prime minister-led initiative will develop a coordinated strategy to expand shrimp production, strengthen value addition and improve export competitiveness under a wider 24-month implementation and review process. - Pakistan moves to boost pharma exports with global quality standards initiativeNPO partners with pharmaceutical industry bodies to improve GMP compliance, strengthen FDA readiness and help local manufacturers access regulated international markets.
- KCCI warns SBP rate hike to 12% could hurt business growth
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Talat Mahmood says higher borrowing costs could discourage investment, increase production expenses and weaken Pakistan’s export competitiveness. - FPCCI denounces SBP rate hike to 12%, demands cut
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh warns higher borrowing costs will undermine industrial growth, export competitiveness and private-sector investment.
AUTOMOTIVE
- Sazgar reports drop in profit to Rs4bn for 1QFY27
Sazgar Engineering Works posts a quarterly profit of Rs4 billion as higher revenue from the Tank 500 launch is offset by lower margins and rising finance costs. - Moto Morini Pakistan launches locally assembled 450cc Italian Bike at massive price
Buraq Automobile introduces the Moto Morini Alltrhike 450 in Pakistan, combining Italian motorcycle heritage with local assembly, a 449cc twin-cylinder engine, and adventure-touring capabilities. - Isuzu D-Max facelift unveiled with powerful new Bi-Turbo engine
Isuzu introduces subtle exterior changes to its D-Max pickup and MU-X SUV in Thailand, alongside a new 2.2-litre bi-turbo diesel engine producing 150kW and 500Nm of torque. - Royal Power RPX 70cc specifications revealed ahead of launch in PakistanThe upcoming motorcycle features a Euro 2 engine, a reinforced frame, Japanese-standard parts and multiple quality-control checks across key components.
IT & TELECOM
- PM Shehbaz launches scheme to distribute 500,000 Chromebooks
The two-year initiative will provide merit-based devices with MiFi internet connectivity to deserving students, with an estimated 2.5 million family members also set to benefit. - FBR issues procedure for sales tax payment in instalment on imported mobile phones
The new procedure allows eligible individuals to pay sales tax on imported mobile phones in monthly instalments, but missed payments can result in device blocking and immediate recovery of the outstanding amount. - WhatsApp tests dedicated Instagram reels sharing shortcut
The new feature in WhatsApp’s Android beta introduces a dedicated chat attachment shortcut, allowing users to share recently viewed, saved and liked Instagram Reels. - OpenAI partners with Google Cloud to expand AI model access
The partnership will allow enterprise customers to access OpenAI’s latest models through Google Cloud Marketplace and use existing cloud spending commitments to pay for them.