Category: National

National news coverage from Pakistan including politics, economy, society, and major developments shaping events across the country.

  • Food authority destroys expired and unsafe food seized in crackdown

    Food authority destroys expired and unsafe food seized in crackdown

    Large quantity of fake, substandard and expired food products destroyed as authorities intensify food safety enforcement across Hazara Division.

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  • PM Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Saudi Arabia for high-level talks

    PM Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Saudi Arabia for high-level talks

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif begins his Saudi Arabia visit to strengthen bilateral ties, discuss regional developments, and perform Umrah.

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  • Government raises petroleum levy on HSD, limits consumer relief

    Government raises petroleum levy on HSD, limits consumer relief

    Higher levy on high-speed diesel absorbs part of the benefit from falling global oil prices, limiting relief for consumers.

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  • Pakistan imports agricultural machinery worth $135.3 million in FY2026

    Pakistan imports agricultural machinery worth $135.3 million in FY2026

    Agricultural machinery imports rise by over 23% as overall machinery imports also record steady growth during FY2025-26.

    Pakistan’s imports of agricultural machinery and implements witnessed a notable increase during the fiscal year 2025-26, reflecting stronger demand for modern farming equipment and mechanization across the country.

    According to the latest figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), agricultural machinery imports reached $135.267 million during FY2026.

    The latest import value represents a 23.08% year-on-year increase compared to the corresponding period of the previous financial year.

    The growth highlights continued investment in agricultural technology as farmers and businesses seek to improve productivity, enhance efficiency, and support the country’s agricultural sector.

    The rise in agricultural machinery imports comes at a time when Pakistan is placing greater emphasis on modernizing farming practices to increase crop yields and strengthen food security.

    Higher imports of advanced machinery are expected to contribute to improved cultivation, harvesting, and irrigation processes across various agricultural regions.

    Besides agricultural equipment, Pakistan also recorded a significant increase in the import of other machinery during FY2026.

    The country imported other machinery worth $2.970 billion during the July-June period, compared with $2.308 billion imported in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

    According to PBS data, imports in the other machinery category expanded by 24.34% on an annual basis. The increase reflects stronger industrial demand, ongoing infrastructure development, and investment in manufacturing capacity, which collectively boosted machinery imports throughout the fiscal year.

    The broader machinery import group also posted positive growth during the period under review. Total machinery imports reached $10.919 billion in FY2026, compared with $10.307 billion recorded in FY2025.

    Overall, imports of the machinery group increased by 5.95% year-on-year, indicating sustained demand for industrial, agricultural, and capital equipment despite evolving economic conditions.

    The steady rise in machinery imports suggests that businesses across multiple sectors continued investing in technology and production capacity to support long-term economic growth.

    The latest PBS data underscores the growing importance of machinery imports in supporting Pakistan’s agriculture and industrial sectors.

    Continued investment in modern equipment is expected to improve productivity, encourage technological advancement, and contribute to the country’s broader economic development in the coming years.

  • SIFC paves way for $200 million mining investment in Balochistan

    SIFC paves way for $200 million mining investment in Balochistan

    Barite-Lead-Zinc project in Khuzdar moves into implementation phase after key lease issues are resolved, boosting Pakistan’s mining sector.

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  • Pakistan, Japan reaffirm development partnership under URAAN Pakistan framework

    Pakistan, Japan reaffirm development partnership under URAAN Pakistan framework

    JICA and Pakistan agree to expand cooperation in infrastructure, digital transformation, tourism, education and sustainable economic growth.

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  • Finance ministry clarifies revised basic pay scales and ad-hoc relief allowances

    Finance ministry clarifies revised basic pay scales and ad-hoc relief allowances

    Ad-hoc Relief Allowances 2023 and 2024 will remain frozen, while new federal employees will receive them on a notional basis.

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  • Traffic alert: NHA urges travelers to avoid flood-hit highway route

    Traffic alert: NHA urges travelers to avoid flood-hit highway route

    Flash floods and an overturned freight truck disrupt major mountain road links as authorities advise motorists to use alternative routes.

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  • FTO directs faster complaint resolution across Sindh offices

    FTO directs faster complaint resolution across Sindh offices

    Karachi regional office reports sharp rise in complaint disposal as Wafaqi Mohtasib reviews performance and public service delivery.

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  • Sindh government to launch electric taxi service in September

    Sindh government to launch electric taxi service in September

    EV taxis, 1,000 electric buses, and new double-decker buses aim to modernize Sindh’s public transport network.

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