TOP STORIES
- SBP flags Middle East conflict, climate shocks and tariffs as FY27 risks

- Finance ministry pushes faster reforms under Federal Rightsizing Plan

- PM Shehbaz directs FBR to complete Faceless System rollout by 2027

- Turkish Petroleum soon to start offshore drilling in Pakistan’s waters: minister

FINANCE
- Finance Minister urges stronger private-sector role in Pakistan’s growth

- PC approves outsourcing of Lahore, Karachi airports

- SBP flags Middle East conflict, climate shocks and tariffs as FY27 risks

- SBP sees 3.5-4.5% economic growth in FY27, inflation to ease

- Finance ministry pushes faster reforms under Federal Rightsizing Plan

- PC signs financial advisory agreement for HBFCL privatisation

NATIONAL
- Government cuts petrol price but raises petroleum levy on HSD
- Dealers announce petrol pump closure from August 15
- Federal Cabinet approves National Housing Policy 2026
- Sindh declares public holiday on Friday
- Islamabad police arrest two car lifters, recover 5 stolen vehicles
- Natural disasters cause $3bn in damages in Pakistan during 2025-26
TAXATION
- Customs preventive officer penalised for negligence in GD clearance
- FBR revises withholding tax card for exports in TY2027
- FBR updates withholding tax rates for goods and services for TY2027
- FBR issues withholding tax card for profit on debt for TY2027
- FBR notifies dividend withholding tax rates for TY2027
- FBR issues withholding tax card for imports for TY2027
MONEY & BANKING
- SBP announces public holiday for August 14, 2026

- SBP penalties on HBL surge to Rs172.38 million in H1CY26

- Bank of Punjab proposes Rs30bn share issue to Punjab government

- SBP receives $3.6bn in workers’ remittances in July 2026

- MCB Bank profit falls over 4% in first half of 2026, declares Rs18 per share interim dividend

- SBP makes daily premium prize bonds reporting mandatory for banks

TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- Govt forms joint committee with transporters to resolve Customs issues

- Nestlé Pakistan maintains cautious 2026 outlook amid cost pressures

- Pakistan, Philippines target $500 million bilateral trade

- Pakistan’s exports to South China jump 32% as minerals, rice gain ground

- KCCI warns transport strike could disrupt industry, exports and supply chains

- Pakistan envoy seeks greater US investment in minerals, surgical sector

AUTOMOTIVE
- Auto sales surge 79% YoY in July 2026 despite monthly decline

- Why Deepal E07 could win over SUV and pickup buyers in Pakistan

- BYD Racco crosses 1,000 orders in Japan within two weeks

- Yamaha Pakistan sets deadline for unregistered bikes in Sindh

- JAC Pakistan issues T9 pickup safety checks for driving on watery roads during rains

- Hyundai Elantra 2.0 Limited Edition quietly exits Pakistani market after relaunch

IT & TELECOM
- Meta supports small business growth in Pakistan

- Samsung Galaxy S26 FE specs, price and design fully leaked

- GTA 6 traffic could make Vice City a driving nightmare

- PTCL confirms microfinance investment review, denies target selection

- Spotify tests new feature to skip podcast ads

- WhatsApp adds new features to improve group chats

JUST IN
- Bangladesh to face Australia in first Test at Darwin on August 13Bangladesh return to Australia for Test cricket after 23 years, facing a formidable hosts’ side in the opening match at Marrara Stadium.
- Karachi likely to receive series of showers from this weekendRain chances are expected to rise from Friday, with scattered afternoon showers forecast through Sunday amid cloudy and windy conditions.
- Customs preventive officer penalised for negligence in GD clearanceFBR withholds two increments from a Preventive Officer after undeclared goods were found in a consignment cleared following a detailed examination.
- FBR revises withholding tax card for exports in TY2027Export proceeds will face a 1.25% withholding tax, while PSEB-registered IT exporters will benefit from a lower 0.25% rate.
- FBR updates withholding tax rates for goods and services for TY2027New TY2027 rates under Section 153 impose substantially higher withholding tax on non-ATL taxpayers across goods, services, contracts and e-commerce.
- FBR issues withholding tax card for profit on debt for TY2027Non-ATL taxpayers will face substantially higher withholding tax rates on bank deposits, government securities and Sukuk profit under the Tax Year 2027 framework.