Top stories featuring the most important and trending news updates from politics, business, world affairs, and breaking events across various sectors.
IMF inflows lift Pakistan’s reserves to highest level in four years as SBP holdings cross $17 billion
Pakistan’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves rose to a four-year high of nearly $22.60 billion, boosted by inflows from the International Monetary Fund, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday.
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Central bank urges integration of urban agriculture into city planning to counter shrinking farmland and rising climate pressures
State Bank of Pakistan has warned that rapid urbanisation, shrinking farmland and rising heat stress are increasing the risk of food insecurity in Pakistan, urging policymakers to integrate urban agriculture into mainstream city planning.
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Central bank says income inequality and regional disparities increased despite rise in household earnings
Pakistan’s socio-economic disparities widened across income groups and regions over the past six years despite increases in nominal household incomes and improvements in some demographic indicators, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said in its latest report.
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Government signs offshore exploration agreements for 21 blocks under Bid Round 2025
Pakistan has formally reopened its offshore oil and gas exploration frontier after nearly two decades, with the signing of Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) and Exploration Licences (ELs) for offshore blocks awarded under Offshore Bid Round 2025.
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Pakistan plans fresh revenue measures as FBR faces likely shortfall in FY26 collections
Pakistan’s government is expected to introduce around 430 billion rupees in new tax measures in the federal budget for 2026–27 (FY27) as it seeks to strengthen revenues amid pressure from lower-than-targeted collections, according to official documents.
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Government plans tariff reforms, regulatory simplification and corporate law amendments in Budget 2026-27
Pakistan is preparing to introduce a broad policy package aimed at improving the business environment as part of the federal budget for 2026–27, according to official sources.
The measures are expected to include further tariff reforms, regulatory simplification, and amendments to corporate laws to encourage investment and reduce the cost of doing business.
Officials said the next phase of duty reductions under the National Tariff Policy will be legislated through the upcoming budget as the government moves to rationalize import duties and improve industrial competitiveness.
The authorities are also working to simplify and remove non-tariff barriers that businesses say increase compliance costs and create uncertainty for investors and traders.
As part of a wider regulatory reform initiative, the government plans to establish a national regulatory registry to serve as a centralized source of business-related regulations.
The registry, initially covering the federal government and Islamabad Capital Territory administration, is targeted for completion by June 2027 and is intended to improve transparency and reduce regulatory uncertainty for businesses.
Officials further said amendments to the Companies Act are being finalized for submission to Parliament by the end of June 2026.
The proposed amendments are expected to focus on lowering regulatory burdens, reducing transaction costs, and strengthening corporate governance and transparency for both listed and unlisted companies.
In parallel, the government also plans to gradually phase out fiscal incentives available to Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Special Technology Zones (STZs), and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) by 2035.
Authorities believe the move will reduce fiscal pressures and create a more level playing field for trade and investment across sectors.
The reforms are expected to be formalized through amendments to SEZ and STZ laws by June 2027, while exporters operating in EPZs may also lose the option to sell part of their production in the domestic market.
Economists say the proposed reforms reflect Pakistan’s broader effort to modernize its business framework, improve investment conditions, and support long-term economic stability.
Government expands AML reforms to combat money laundering and improve property sector transparency
Pakistan has intensified monitoring of real-estate agents as part of broader efforts to curb black money, money laundering and terror financing through the property sector, according to official documents.
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Export recovery signals resilience despite Middle East tensions and rising industry costs
Pakistan recorded a sharp increase in textile exports in April 2026, with shipments rising more than 21% year-on-year despite trade disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.
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Large Taxpayers Office posts 10% growth in net revenue amid strong direct tax performance
The Large Taxpayers Office (LTO) Karachi has reported record revenue collection of nearly Rs3 trillion during the first 10 months of fiscal year 2025-26, marking its highest-ever performance for the period, according to official data.
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SBP data shows sharp drop in foreign investment despite easing portfolio outflows
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported on Monday that foreign direct investment (FDI) into Pakistan fell 31% during the first 10 months of fiscal year 2025-26, reflecting continued pressure on external investment inflows.
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