Top stories featuring the most important and trending news updates from politics, business, world affairs, and breaking events across various sectors.
Business leaders urge growth-focused reforms as government finalizes budget proposals for FY2026-27
Pakistan’s leading business leaders and industrialists met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday to discuss priorities and proposals for the federal budget FY2026-27, focusing on economic growth, exports, investment promotion and tax reforms.
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PM directs ministries to adopt modern technologies, boost industrial output and expand exports under wide-ranging economic reform agenda
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has instructed all federal ministries to engage industry experts and technology specialists to support the integration of modern technologies into key sectors of the economy, as part of broader efforts to boost investment and accelerate industrial growth.
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Cabinet clears nationwide medicine tracking system to enhance patient safety and eliminate counterfeit drugs from the supply chain
In a major reform for Pakistan’s healthcare sector, the federal cabinet has approved the nationwide rollout of a Track and Trace System for pharmaceutical products, introducing a digital mechanism designed to monitor medicines throughout the supply chain and curb the sale of counterfeit drugs.
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Prime Minister directs FBR to settle outstanding tax refunds within two weeks to improve business liquidity and investor confidence
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to clear all pending tax refund cases by June 15, 2026, in a significant move aimed at easing liquidity pressures on businesses and improving the investment climate.
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CPI rises from 10.9% in April as food, energy and transport costs keep pressure on households
Pakistan’s headline inflation rose to 11.7% in May 2026, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Monday, reflecting persistent price pressures across food, energy and transport segments.
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Adviser says revised projections reflect macroeconomic changes, denies claims of fiscal shortfall or revenue crisis
Pakistan has revised downward the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) tax collection target for fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26) to around Rs13 trillion, down from the original Rs14.13 trillion, according to the Finance Ministry adviser, who said earlier claims of a large revenue shortfall were misleading.
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Government resists IMF proposal for GST increase as officials weigh revenue measures ahead of federal budget
Pakistan is unlikely to raise the General Sales Tax (GST) rate in the federal budget for 2026-27 despite a proposal from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as authorities remain concerned about the inflationary impact of higher indirect taxes amid rising fuel costs, sources said.
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Revenue shortfall nears Rs868 billion as tax authorities intensify enforcement efforts before fiscal year-end.
Taxpayers are likely to face heightened scrutiny in June as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) prepares an aggressive enforcement drive to maximize revenue collection and reduce a substantial shortfall before the close of fiscal year 2025-26.
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National Assembly and Senate sessions summoned as government prepares to unveil Budget 2026-27.
The federal government is set to present the Budget 2026-27 on June 5 after Asif Ali Zardari summoned separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate on the same day.
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In a significant relief for the public, the federal government on Friday announced a sharp reduction in petroleum prices, cutting both petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) rates by Rs22 per litre across the country.
With the latest revision, the new price of petrol has been fixed at Rs381.78 per litre, while high-speed diesel will now be available at Rs380.78 per litre.
The price cut is expected to provide immediate relief to consumers and ease pressure on transport and logistics costs nationwide.
According to officials, the decision has been taken in light of the continued decline in global crude oil prices, allowing the government to pass on the benefit to local consumers.
The move comes as international energy markets show a downward trend, creating space for adjustments in domestic fuel rates.
This is the second reduction in fuel prices within a short span of time. Earlier, petrol prices were reduced by Rs6 per litre, while diesel saw a cut of Rs6.80 per litre.
The latest and much larger reduction is expected to have a broader impact on inflation, particularly in transport-dependent sectors.
High-speed diesel plays a key role in Pakistan’s economy, as it is widely used in freight transport, agriculture machinery, buses, and trucks.
Experts believe the price cut could help reduce supply chain costs, which may eventually reflect in the prices of essential commodities if savings are passed on to consumers.
The government has reiterated that providing relief to the public remains a key priority despite challenging economic conditions.
It has also maintained that support measures for transport operators, motorcyclists, rickshaw drivers, and small businesses will continue as part of its broader economic relief strategy.
On the global front, crude oil prices continued to slide on Friday. Brent crude fell nearly 2% to around $91 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped to about $87 per barrel.
Market analysts note that easing geopolitical concerns and expectations of stable supply have contributed to the recent decline in oil prices.
If this trend continues, further adjustments in domestic fuel prices may be seen in upcoming reviews, offering additional relief to consumers and businesses.