TOP STORIES
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia scrap visa requirement for diplomatic, official passport holders
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia abolish visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders to facilitate high-level travel and official exchanges. - Vehicle ownership not required for PM fuel subsidy, says minister
Attaullah Tarar says eligible citizens can register using a basic mobile phone as more than 2.2 million people sign up for the targeted fuel relief scheme. - Pakistan ends Government-centred power buying as first 400MW wheeling auction opens
New wheeling mechanism allows eligible large consumers to buy electricity directly from power producers under Pakistan’s competitive power market reforms. - Aurangzeb warns protests could cost Pakistan Rs120bn a day
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says disruptions could affect services, industry, agriculture, exports and government revenue as Pakistan seeks to sustain economic growth.
FINANCE
- Finance Minister highlights energy security at WEF DialogueMuhammad Aurangzeb says Pakistan’s solar expansion can help reduce reliance on imported fuels and strengthen economic resilience.
- Aurangzeb calls for faster climate finance and digital innovation at UNGA
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb urges faster climate funding and highlights digital innovation and tokenisation at UNGA in New York. - Aurangzeb warns protests could cost Pakistan Rs120bn a dayFinance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says disruptions could affect services, industry, agriculture, exports and government revenue as Pakistan seeks to sustain economic growth.
- Foreign investors repatriate $558m in profit, dividend in 2MFY27: SBP
Foreign investors repatriated $557.6 million in profits and dividends during July-August FY2026-27, down 13.4 per cent year on year.
NATIONAL
- NEPRA sets September 29 hearing for August 2026 power FCANEPRA will hold a September 29 public hearing on CPPA-G’s request for a Rs1.7267 per unit fuel charges adjustment for August 2026.
- Government raises petrol price by Rs4.61, cuts HSD by Rs1.96 for September 22
Petrol rises to Rs393.75 per litre while HSD falls to Rs422.80 as Pakistan implements its new daily petroleum pricing mechanism. - EU and Pakistan sign €65mn agreements to boost investment and resilience
The financing package targets foreign investment, renewable energy, climate resilience, legal access and a stronger business environment across Pakistan. - Vehicle ownership not required for PM fuel subsidy, says ministerAttaullah Tarar says eligible citizens can register using a basic mobile phone as more than 2.2 million people sign up for the targeted fuel relief scheme.
TAXATION
- FBR chairman meets Tax Bar Association to address taxpayer issues
FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial has directed officials to address taxpayer concerns and improve tax administration during a meeting with the Tax Bar Association in Lahore. - SRB holds fourth prize draw for verified POS invoices, offers 95 prizes
The Sindh Revenue Board has conducted its fourth computerised prize draw for verified POS invoices, offering 95 prizes to customers. - FBR explains normal and special tax years for Tax Year 2027
FBR clarifies rules for normal, special and transitional tax years and explains how taxpayers can apply to change their tax year. - FBR unveils ‘fair market value’ mechanism for Tax Year 2027
FBR explains how fair market values for property, assets, services and benefits will be determined for income tax purposes in Tax Year 2027.
MONEY & BANKING
- SECP approves Shaamilkar app for Shariah-compliant SME financing
The digital platform will provide eligible small businesses with Shariah-compliant financing of up to Rs3 million. - FCC dismisses NBP appeal, pensioners entitled to government pension increases
The Federal Constitutional Court’s decision could have financial implications for NBP, although the final impact will depend on the detailed judgment. - SBP clarifies Rs10 banknote discontinuation reports
State Bank of Pakistan says social media reports about the withdrawal and exchange deadline of the Rs10 note are baseless. - Pakistan’s foreign reserves jump to $26.79 billion as Eurobond funds arrive
SBP reserves climb by $3.06 billion in one week, while commercial banks also report a modest increase in their foreign currency holdings.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- CCP fines 3M Pakistan Rs10 million over misleading Scotch-Brite comparison
Competition Commission says 3M failed to substantiate a comparison between Scotch-Brite and Colgate-Palmolive’s Max Scrub. - Pakistan’s food exports rise 7.67% to $833 million in two months
Rice shipments lead growth as Basmati exports surge more than 53%, while food imports also record a modest increase. - SECP clears adjudication backlog, imposes Rs4.73bn in penaltiesPakistan’s corporate regulator concludes 573 cases and issues 117 orders involving State-Owned Enterprises as it clears its adjudication backlog.
- Pakistan’s textile exports climb 5.55% to $3.38bn in 2MFY27
Pakistan’s textile exports rise to $3.38 billion in July-August FY2026-27, supported by stronger knitwear, garments, towels and cotton yarn shipments.
AUTOMOTIVE
- MG Pakistan starts deliveries of new ZS SUV as vehicles dispatched to dealerships
The All-New MG ZS has rolled out from the MG Motors plant and is now being transported to dealerships across Pakistan. - Pakistan targets $100 billion exports as government prepares new auto policy
Ahsan Iqbal says rising global petroleum prices are affecting Pakistan, while IT exports, remittances and FBR revenues show growth. - Pakistan pushes auto industry toward localization and EV growth
Government highlights competitive manufacturing, technology adoption and electric mobility as key priorities for the future of Pakistan’s automotive sector. - Pakistan’s electric scooty boom faces after-sales service crisis
ISLAMABAD, September 20, 2026: Pakistan’s rapidly expanding electric scooty market is facing growing concerns over after-sales service, spare-parts availability, battery reliability and repair costs, raising questions about the long-term ownership experience for consumers.
IT & TELECOM
- Google Book launches as premium laptop line with Gemini AI
Google’s new premium laptop range brings Gemini into the operating system, deeper Android integration and a redesigned Material 3 Expressive interface. - Oppo Find X10 Pro Max launches with three 200MP cameras
Oppo’s latest flagship combines the Dimensity 9600 Pro chipset with an 8,000mAh battery, 144Hz AMOLED display and triple 200MP rear cameras. - iPhone 18 Pro face ID bug reportedly causes random reboots
Some iPhone 18 Pro users are reportedly experiencing freezes and unexpected reboots after failed Face ID attempts on iOS 27. - GTA 6 community map V16 adds more roads and buildings
The latest GTA 6 community map update adds roads, buildings and other details while revising the estimated size of Leonida.