TOP STORIES
- Electricity bill shock: NEPRA slaps consumers with Rs2.06 per unit hike
NEPRA approves a positive Fuel Charge Adjustment of Rs2.0581 per unit for July 2026, with eligible consumers to pay the additional amount in September bills. - Petrol price nears Rs350 per litre in Pakistan
Petrol price rises by Rs2.84 to Rs349 per litre as the government passes on higher international fuel costs, while HSD increases to Rs374.31. - Shehbaz Sharif approves trade facilitation board
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will personally chair the new board aimed at streamlining trade processes, removing barriers and improving port efficiency. - Pakistan raises $3 billion through landmark Eurobond sale
Strong $6 billion order book highlights renewed investor demand as Pakistan returns to international capital markets
FINANCE
- PM Shehbaz says Pakistan completes difficult economic turnaround
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says fiscal, structural and governance reforms have restored macroeconomic stability and strengthened investor confidence. - FBR tax-to-GDP ratio rises to 10.3%, Aurangzeb targets 12%
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says Pakistan must raise the FBR tax-to-GDP ratio to 11%-12% in the short term while advancing structural reforms and private-sector investment. - Pakistan’s forex reserves decline by $59m in one week
Pakistan’s total foreign exchange reserves fell to $22.528bn by August 28, despite a $20m increase in reserves held by the State Bank. - Pakistan’s trade deficit surges 18.11% to $7.12bn in 2MFY27
Pakistan’s trade gap widened sharply in July-August 2026 as imports grew 13.03%, significantly outpacing the 7.04% increase in exports.
NATIONAL
- Petrol price cut by Rs3.13, diesel hiked by Rs3.74 for next three days
The government has lowered the petrol price to Rs345.87 per litre while raising HSD to Rs378.05, effective from September 5, 2026. - Electricity bill shock: NEPRA slaps consumers with Rs2.06 per unit hikeNEPRA approves a positive Fuel Charge Adjustment of Rs2.0581 per unit for July 2026, with eligible consumers to pay the additional amount in September bills.
- Pakistan plans major shift toward high-value agricultural exports
Government targets greater processing, certification, branding and traceability to expand access to international markets and boost export earnings. - Power Division to automate detection billing to curb overchargingPakistan moves to digitise detection billing and introduce monthly monitoring to reduce inflated electricity bills, human intervention and consumer complaints.
TAXATION
- FBR rationalises withholding tax on minimum tax for Tax Year 2027
The Federal Government can reduce certain minimum-tax withholding rates by up to one percentage point where the tax burden threatens the economic viability of businesses. - FBR exempts foreign income of returning expatriates in Tax Year 2027
Returning expatriate Pakistanis can claim a limited-period exemption on qualifying foreign-source income under Section 51 of the Income Tax Ordinance for Tax Year 2027. - FBR clarifies foreign income tax exemption for short-term residents
FBR says certain resident individuals who become tax residents through employment may receive an exemption on foreign-source income for Tax Year 2027, subject to specific conditions. - Govt committed to cutting tax burden through structural reforms: Kiyani
Government introduces tax relief, faceless systems and simplified schemes to support businesses, exporters, salaried workers and small traders.
MONEY & BANKING
- SBP launches women microfinance credit guarantee facility with 25% first-loss cover
The new facility provides banks and DFIs with first-loss guarantees of up to 25% to expand financing for women-led microenterprises and improve access to institutional funding. - Imran Sarwar appointed NBP president and CEO for three years
The Federal Government has appointed Imran Sarwar as National Bank of Pakistan President and CEO for a three-year term with immediate effect. - Pakistan accelerates cashless drive with new digital targets
Finance Division reviews digital payment progress, merchant adoption and government transactions ahead of the Prime Minister’s Cashless Initiative review. - Deutsche Bank eyes wider role in Pakistan’s investment and financingDeutsche Bank signals interest in expanding corporate and investment banking engagement with Pakistan
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- PM Shehbaz backs Rs3bn export insurance plan to boost SMEs
EDF and EXIM Bank initiative aims to widen export credit insurance access and support Pakistan’s shift toward an export-led economy. - Khurram Ijaz slams electricity tariff hike, terms it blow to industry
Khurram Ijaz says the Rs2.0581 per-unit electricity tariff increase will raise production costs, fuel inflation and further weaken the competitiveness of Pakistani businesses. - Maritime minister proposes business facilitation centre to ease port issues
New one-window facility aims to streamline port services, reduce delays and lower costs for exporters and importers - PCDMA warns FBR IRIS glitches are delaying sales tax returns
The Pakistan Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association has urged the FBR to urgently resolve IRIS technical issues affecting timely Sales Tax Return filing.
AUTOMOTIVE
- Mitsubishi set to grow Pajero range with two new SUVs
The iconic Pajero nameplate is expected to expand into smaller SUV segments, including a possible kei-class model for Japan. - Sazgar warns carbon tax could raise costs and affect future operations
Sazgar Engineering Works says a potential carbon tax could increase energy, compliance and supply chain costs, particularly under tighter climate policies. - Master Chery displays new Chery QQ3 electric vehicle in KarachiChery Q Third Generation makes its Karachi appearance as Master Chery showcases the new urban battery electric vehicle at three dealerships.
- MG Pakistan launches new petrol variant for MG HS: Price revealed
The new MG HS petrol variant comes with a 1.5L turbo engine, 7-speed DCT, ADAS and a 360-degree camera.
IT & TELECOM
- Nothing OS 5.1 to bring official essential key remapping
Nothing has confirmed that its next software update will focus on refinements, while Nothing OS 6.0 is planned for 2027 - iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Foldable could bring major price hikes
Leaked pricing suggests Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could become more expensive, while its first foldable iPhone may approach the $2,000 mark. - Google Gemini could get new Camera UI and redesigned ‘@’ menu
Google appears to be preparing a major Gemini app interface refresh, with a redesigned camera viewfinder and revamped ‘@’ menu reportedly discovered in the latest Google app version. - GTA 6 DualSense controllers set for November 2026 release
Sony and Rockstar Games are preparing two limited-edition DualSense wireless controllers inspired by GTA 6’s Vice City, with pre-orders opening on September 10.