Section
Economy · Page 5
The rupee, the IMF, the budget, prices, power tariffs, trade and the businesses that employ the country.
Water shortfall shadows Sindh Rabi sowing as farmers turn to oilseeds
Irsa has forecast a 22 percent irrigation shortfall for the season, while Pakistan's palm oil import bill reached a record $3.78 billion in FY26.
Remittances of $41.6bn dwarf exports as fiscal deficit narrows
Dawn, citing the Finance Division's August outlook, says FY26 remittances exceeded merchandise exports by about $10.8bn, leaving the economy reliant on overseas workers.
Gas shortfall and costly LPG push twin cities to wood and coal
Dawn reports LPG selling at Rs600 a kilogram against the Rs279 rate fixed by Ogra, while Sui Northern has stopped domestic cylinder supplies.
Pakistan asks Qatar to help speed up GCC free trade pact
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan co-chaired the Doha task force meeting, where Pakistan said its approved FTA text had already gone to the GCC Secretariat.
KSE-100 slides 715 points as investors await SBP rate call
Banks, cement, autos and energy stocks led a broad sell-off as the benchmark index traded at 161,660.24 by midday, hours before the monetary policy committee meets.
World Bank proposes $50m fund of funds for Pakistan startups
The IBRD-financed Pakistan Entrepreneurship and Private Investment Catalyst Project would be run by Ignite, with a review due in January 2027 and approval eyed that March.
State Bank meets to set policy rate, announcement due today
Investify expects a 50 basis point hike at the Monetary Policy Committee meeting, a projection the central bank has not confirmed.
Pakistan reopens Gabd crossing with Iran after weeklong suspension
Traders and a customs agent told Arab News the route is moving again, while Reuters reports LPG shortages deepened during the closure.
Hybrid Car Prices Fall After Sales Tax Cut
Toyota knocked up to Rs 570,000 off Corolla Cross hybrids; Honda Atlas revised HR-V e:HEV after tax on sub-2,000cc hybrids fell to 18 percent.
China may pull back from Gwadar port over security risks, report says
A Lowy Institute analysis says the port has not paid off, while FM Bharat reports China is likely to scale back amid security and economic pressures.
Nearly 9,800 returns prepared, only three filed under fixed tax scheme
The government has set a Rs50 billion collection target for the current fiscal year, but only Rs3.25 crore has been received so far.
LHC bars FBR from coercive action against Mepco
A two-judge bench granted interim relief to the Multan power utility in a dispute over Rs4.53 billion in back taxes.
State Bank launches Rs16bn remittance reward scheme for overseas Pakistanis
Quarterly draws begin January 15, 2027, with a Rs10 crore first prize and Rs4 billion distributed each quarter.
Asan Tax Scheme registers 9,806 shopkeepers in first month
A Friday review meeting was told the figure, while Profit reported 1,929 new traders brought into the tax net without reconciling the two counts.
KP notifies monetised transport allowance for judicial officers
Provincial finance department says the cash allowance takes effect from October 1 after cabinet approval on August 28.
Sugar millers demand full deregulation and export clearance
The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association says current rules hurt growers and mills, with more surplus expected from the next crop.
Sindh reviews property tax system with World Bank
Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah chaired a meeting on collection improvements, transparency and financial autonomy for local councils.
Short-term inflation hits 11.92% on food, energy costs
The Sensitive Price Index rose 0.99 percent week-on-week for the week ending September 24, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data.
Valuation ruling valid until revised, Supreme Court rules
A customs valuation ruling under Section 25A does not lapse after 90 days and remains the applicable value for imported goods until rescinded, modified or replaced.
KSE-100 gains 266 points as investors stay cautious
Benchmark index closed at 170,765.22 points, up 0.16 percent after Thursday's fall of 1,733.57 points, with investors wary of Iran-US tensions.
SMEDA, Daraz plan e-commerce training for SMEs
A Lahore meeting between the two organisations explored curriculum development, capacity building and targeted support for women-led businesses.
SBP launches Rs16 billion Pasban Remittance Reward Scheme
Eligible remittance recipients who receive at least $100 monthly for three consecutive months can enter quarterly draws for prizes up to Rs10 crore.
KPRA team visits Mardan hospitals, seeks financial data
The enforcement team covered multiple registered private hospitals and healthcare centres, though APP did not name them or give a deadline.
HUBCO BYD venture posts Rs33 million quarterly loss
The Hub Power Company's electric vehicle joint venture reported a Rs33 million loss for the quarter ended June 2026, but nine-month results remain profitable.
Jetour Unveils T2 Facelift in China as Pakistan Sells Older Model
Updated SUV gets new styling, powertrains and interior tech weeks after Pakistan launch of current T2 and start of local assembly.
FBR opens faceless tax centre to end direct contact
The National Faceless Centre in Islamabad will assign audit cases electronically and keep officers' identities hidden from taxpayers.
PhonePe gets initial UAE nod; Pakistani remittance startup raises $20m
FWDStart reports the Indian payments firm plans wallets, remittances and SME services, while Bol News says a Pakistani entrepreneur secured $20 million.
OICCI urges IMF to widen tax base, ease business burden
The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry has made the appeal, according to a Pakistan Today report that carried no further details.
Lucky Cement weighs Rs1.2bn Balochistan mining push
The cement maker already holds a 33.33% stake in NRL, which has exploration rights for copper, gold, lead and zinc in the province.
Honda Cuts Prices of Two HR-V Variants
The hybrid e:HEV drops by Rs 1.07 million and the VTi-S by Rs 500,000 for a limited period and limited stocks.