Islamabad, March 2, 2026 – Pakistan’s trade deficit surged by 25% to $25.04 billion during the first eight months (July–February) of fiscal year 2025-26, compared to $20 billion in the same period last year, official data revealed on Monday.
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PM Shehbaz chairs high-level meeting to review regional security
Islamabad, March 1, 2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting to review the evolving regional situation, Pakistan’s internal security environment, and measures to ensure the safe evacuation of Pakistani citizens from Iran amid rising tensions in the region.
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Pakistan corporates push IMF to axe super tax, boost business growth
Islamabad: Leading corporate bodies of Pakistan have urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help abolish the super tax, reduce corporate tax in a phased manner, and rationalize advance and withholding taxes to ease the burden on compliant businesses and revive economic growth.
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At least nine killed in violent clashes at US Consulate in Karachi
Karachi, March 1, 2026: At least nine people were killed and more than 18 others injured on Sunday after violent clashes erupted between police and protesters outside the United States Consulate in Karachi, following demonstrations against recent US and Israeli strikes that reportedly martyred Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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OGRA orders adequate petroleum stocks amid escalating Middle East conflict
Islamabad, March 1, 2026 — The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has directed all oil sector stakeholders to ensure sufficient stocks of petroleum products across Pakistan amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East following fresh military strikes involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.
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Pakistan hikes petroleum prices sharply amid rising Gulf tensions
Islamabad, February 28, 2026: The government of Pakistan late Saturday night announced a significant increase in petroleum prices for the first fortnight of March 2026, citing escalating tensions in the Gulf region and the risk of a surge in international oil prices.
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PM Shehbaz condemns Gulf escalation, reaffirms Pakistan’s support
Islamabad, February 28, 2026 – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held separate telephone conversations with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this evening, strongly condemning the recent regional escalation in the Gulf.
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Aurangzeb approves revised features of low-cost housing scheme, sanctions key grants
Islamabad, February 27, 2026 – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, on Friday approved the revised features of the “Mera Ghar Mera Aashiana (MGMA)” – Mortgage Financing for Low-Cost Housing Scheme, while chairing a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet. The committee also sanctioned major infrastructural and development-related grants to support housing, agriculture, and energy sectors.
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Pakistan awards 11 oil and gas blocks, attracts Rs8.66 billion investment
Islamabad, February 26, 2026 – The Government of Pakistan has taken a major step to boost domestic energy production by awarding 11 onshore oil and gas blocks to leading national companies, securing a minimum committed investment of Rs8.66 billion (USD 31 million) over the next three years.
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Cryptocurrency gets green light in Pakistan as Senate panel clears regulatory bill
Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has approved the Virtual Assets Bill, 2025, paving the way for a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and virtual asset services in Pakistan.
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