The United Arab Emirates has agreed in principle to roll over Pakistan’s $2 billion deposit for a short period of two months, providing temporary relief to the country’s external financing position. According to media reports, a senior official confirmed that the UAE has consented to extend the deposit until April 17, 2026, for a period of two months. Formal approval …

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain is leading Pakistan’s delegation at the 49th Session of the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), where global stakeholders gathered to deliberate on rural transformation, sustainable agriculture and innovative financing for smallholder communities. The session brought together ministers, development partners, financial institutions, private sector representatives …

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul visited the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and its flagship National Science and Technology Park (NSTP) in Islamabad to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation in technology, innovation, and industry-led research. The delegation was received by (Retd.) Air Marshal Rizwan and senior management of …

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a comprehensive meeting with Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, Assistant Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to review and advance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and joint engagement in regional markets. The meeting reflected strong convergence of views on adopting an investment-led and partnership-based approach to economic cooperation. Both sides emphasized the …

A delegation-level meeting co-chaired by Federal Minister for Commerce of Pakistan Jam Kamal Khan and Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul was held today in Islamabad to further strengthen bilateral trade, investment, and industrial cooperation between Pakistan and Cambodia. The meeting was attended by Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce; Jawad Paul, Secretary Commerce; and …

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Tuesday hosted a business engagement in honour of Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Cambodia, aimed at advancing Pakistan–Cambodia trade, investment and private-sector linkages. The session featured addresses by Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Cambodian Commerce Minister Cham Nimul and FPCCI President Atif Ikram …

International credit rating agency Moody’s has revised Pakistan’s banking sector outlook from positive to stable, citing gradual improvement in economic conditions but ongoing challenges for financial institutions. According to Moody’s outlook report, Pakistan’s economic recovery is progressing slowly, and the performance of banks is expected to remain stable over the next 12 to 18 months. The report highlighted that high …

Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce, on Monday received Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce Her Excellency Cham Nimul at the State Lounge of Islamabad International Airport. Accompanied by a senior official delegation, H.E. Cham Nimul is visiting Pakistan from February 10 to 11, 2026, to co-chair the second meeting of the Pakistan-Cambodia Joint Trade Committee (JTC). …

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday participated in a high-level roundtable titled “Addressing Sovereign Debt Vulnerabilities” at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies 2026, jointly organized by the Government of Saudi Arabia and the International Monetary Fund. In his intervention, the finance minister said that global public debt remains at historic highs, placing sustained …

For the first time in Pakistan’s history, petroleum levy collection in the first half of a fiscal year has reached an unprecedented level, official documents reveal. During July–December 2025, petroleum levy receipts amounted to Rs 822.93 billion, showing an increase of Rs 273.51 billion compared to Rs 549.41 billion collected in the same period of the previous fiscal year. Last …

Under the Sustainable Investment and Finance Corporation (SIFC), the Green Corporate Initiative (GCI) is continuing efforts to promote agricultural facilitation and sustainable development in Balochistan. The initiative is playing a leading role in advancing agriculture and improving the welfare of farmers in the province. Askaribank has entered into strategic collaboration with GCI to support agricultural growth in Balochistan. To boost …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s consumer price index (CPI) inflation rose to 5.8 percent year on year in January 2026, up from 5.6 percent in December 2025, said official statistics. On a month-on-month basis, CPI inflation increased by 0.4 percent in January 2026, compared with a decline of 0.4 percent in the previous month, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) said. Urban CPI …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued revised official property rates for Islamabad, applicable to both residential and commercial properties. The new rates reflect an increase of 15 to 75 percent across different categories. According to the notification, the updated rates will determine the market value of immovable property and will be used for calculating capital gains tax and …

Despite having billions of dollars worth of gemstones, Pakistan’s share in the global market is only 0.3 percent. To address this, the government has set a plan to regularize and boost gemstone exports, setting a target of $350 million by 2030. According to the policy document, over the next five years, 610 exporters will be given opportunities to display their …

Following a hike in diesel prices, transporters in Lahore have unilaterally increased fares, affecting passengers across intercity and local routes. Bus fares have risen by PKR 50 to PKR 150. The fare from Lahore to Rawalpindi increased from PKR 1,600 to PKR 1,750, while the Lahore to Rahim Yar Khan fare has gone up to PKR 1,900. Fares to Gujranwala …

World Bank President Ajay Pal Singh Banga has arrived in Pakistan for a four-day official visit, which will continue until February 4, 2026. During his stay, Banga will meet with key Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other senior officials. According to reports, President Banga visited his ancestral home in Khushab and also paid a ceremonial visit to …

Pakistan and Rwanda are exploring the establishment of direct sea routes from Karachi to major East African ports, including Djibouti and Mombasa, to access the East African Community’s 500-million-strong consumer market, valued at more than $300 billion. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Rwandan High Commissioner Harerimana Fatou also discussed proposals to cut shipping costs by …

The debt burden on every Pakistani increased by 13 per cent during the last fiscal year, reaching Rs333,041 per person, as rising public debt emerged as a major challenge for the government, according to the annual Fiscal Policy Statement presented by the Ministry of Finance in parliament. The report said per capita public debt stood at Rs294,098 in fiscal year …

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet has approved the auction of 500,000 tons of wheat held by the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASCO) and the supply of 300,000 tons of wheat to the Punjab government, a move expected to cause a financial loss of Rs20.5 billion to Rs22 billion to the national exchequer. According to …

Pakistan has achieved a major milestone in the energy sector as Synergico Pakistan Limited signed a $430 million commercial agreement to import six million barrels of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil from the United States, marking the largest private-sector crude import deal between the two countries. Under the agreement, three million barrels of crude oil have already been processed …

Electricity consumers across the country may face an increase of 48 paisa per unit in power tariffs for one month, following a request filed by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). According to officials, the CPPA has submitted an application to NEPRA seeking approval for a monthly fuel price adjustment. The regulatory …

The cotton ginning sector has warned of a further decline in cotton cultivation next year, citing a sharp increase in sugarcane prices and extensive incentives being offered by sugar mills to growers. Chairman Cotton Ginners Forum Ehsan-ul-Haq said that higher sugarcane prices and financial facilities provided by sugar mill owners are encouraging farmers to shift away from cotton, raising serious …

The Power Division on Monday described reports of a Rs223 billion increase in the power sector’s circular debt during the first five months of the current fiscal year as misleading. A spokesperson for the division said comparing November 2025 circular debt with June 2025 figures was incorrect. “The proper comparison should be with the same period last year, July to …

Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Commerce, inaugurated the Mega Leather Show at the Lahore Expo Center on Monday, highlighting the government’s focus on trade promotion and export development. After the inauguration, Khan toured the exhibition, interacting with domestic manufacturers and international delegates to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Pakistan’s leather sector. The Mega Leather …

Pakistan’s financial sector has received a fresh boost as confidence among global partners continues to strengthen, supported by facilitation from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). In a major development, Raqami Islamic Digital Bank has been launched with financial backing from Kuwait and is set to begin operations in Pakistan next month. The bank will start with an initial investment …

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Langrial said that Pakistan’s economic stability is not possible without expanding the tax base, warning that continued tax evasion by large segments of society is placing an unfair burden on a limited group of taxpayers, particularly salaried individuals. Speaking during a panel discussion at Alhamra, Langrial said that while some citizens regularly pay …

Pakistan’s maritime sector achieved a record profit of Rs100 billion ($360 million) in 2025 following a year of comprehensive reforms aimed at boosting port efficiency, cutting costs, and clearing long-delayed policies to position the country as a regional trade and logistics hub, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said. Describing 2025 as a “transformative year,” Junaid Chaudhry …

The World Bank has warned that rising regional conflicts, climate-related disasters and tighter global financial conditions pose serious risks to economic recovery in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan, with Pakistan among the most vulnerable economies. According to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects, January 2026 report, growth in emerging economies performed better than expected in 2025, but …

Pakistan and China have approved a joint venture agreement in the footwear manufacturing sector, aimed at strengthening industrial cooperation and technology transfer between the two countries. The joint venture has been signed between Pakistan’s listed company, Service Global Footwear, and China’s Golden Star Footwear Group. Details of the agreement were formally conveyed by Service Global Footwear to the Pakistan Stock …

The Board of Investment (BOI) has termed the successful convening of the Pakistan–China Agriculture Investment Conference (PCAIC) in Islamabad a significant milestone in advancing agricultural cooperation and investment facilitation under CPEC Phase II, with a strong focus on technology transfer, value-chain development, and export-led growth. Held at Serena Hotel, Islamabad, the conference brought together senior government officials, Chinese and Pakistani …

Pakistan is preparing to return to the global bond market after a four-year hiatus. Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told Bloomberg during the World Economic Forum in Davos that the government will start appointing international advisers for the bond issuance in the coming weeks. Authorities are reviewing whether to issue a dollar bond, euro bond, or sukuk, depending on which …

More than 150 textile mills and over 400 cotton ginning factories across Pakistan have become non-operational due to rising imports under liberal trade policies and declining exports caused by higher production costs, industry representatives said, warning that the domestic cotton value chain is now on “life support.” Industry sources said increased imports, coupled with higher costs of export-oriented products, have …

Pakistan is moving rapidly toward global leadership in agricultural exports, driven by strong and sustained growth in rice shipments, according to official data and international media reports. International media reports have also confirmed the growing global acceptance of Pakistani rice, underscoring its rising demand and competitiveness in international markets. At the start of 2026, Pakistan achieved a major milestone by …

The wheat and flour price crisis in Pakistan’s largest city continues to persist, with industry representatives warning of further increases amid supply delays and rising costs. Chairman of the Flour Mills Association, Abdul Junaid, said the government-supplied wheat lacks nutritional quality and is being mixed with new wheat to produce flour that is unaffordable for the general public. He blamed …

Pakistan’s improving currency position and easing inflation have strengthened expectations of a further cut in the policy interest rate in the country’s upcoming monetary policy announcement, according to a survey conducted by a local research institution. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is scheduled to announce the first monetary policy of the year on January 26. Market sentiment appears largely …

The 8th Pakistan–Japan Government–Business Joint Dialogue and the Pakistan Business Forum were held in Tokyo on Friday, marking the first convening of the Dialogue in the city since December 2018. The Joint Dialogue was co-chaired by Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Commerce and Industry, and Takuo Komori, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and …

Pakistan’s power sector equity turned negative by Rs800 billion during the last fiscal year, mainly due to declining electricity sales, persistent losses of distribution companies (DISCOs), power theft, weak recoveries and the growing burden of circular debt, according to the Ministry of Finance. The disclosure was made in the Finance Ministry’s annual performance report, which stated that total liabilities of …

According to official figures, the federal government collected more than Rs13 trillion in taxes and levies during the fiscal year 2025. The tax revenue collected by the federal government is equivalent to around 11.3 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. Based on the current pace, federal tax collection is moving towards the target of 15 percent of GDP by …

Pakistan’s marine fisheries sector posted strong growth in the first half of fiscal year 2025–26, with seafood exports rising to 122,629.11 metric tons valued at $253.24 million between July and December 2025, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Friday. Commenting on data released by the Marine Fisheries Department, the minister said the performance reflects the …

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has taken a major step to facilitate Pakistani exporters by signing an important agreement with Indonesia’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia. According to PIA, a Cargo Special Pro-Rate Agreement has been signed between the two airlines, aimed at providing Pakistani exporters with smoother and uninterrupted access to international markets. The agreement will come into effect from January …