Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday said that interest payments on debt remain the government’s largest expenditure, while inefficiencies in state-owned enterprises had been causing annual losses of around Rs1 trillion. Addressing the Pakistan Policy Dialogue in Islamabad, the finance minister said that Pakistan’s remittances stood at $38 billion in the previous fiscal year and are expected to …

A reduction in petroleum product prices is expected in Pakistan from January 16 following a decline in global crude oil prices, according to official sources. Sources said petrol prices are likely to be reduced by up to Rs4.59 per litre, while high-speed diesel may see a cut of Rs2.70 per litre. The expected decrease reflects lower international oil prices and …

The Federal Board of Revenue has decided to establish Digital Enforcement Stations as part of a broader effort to curb smuggling and illegal trade across the country, according to official sources. Sources in the FBR said the new digital stations will be equipped with modern technology and given full enforcement powers to detect, monitor, and prevent smuggling and unlawful commercial …

National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved an increase of Rs1.79 per unit in the average base electricity tariff, effective from January 1, 2026, subject to approval by the federal government. According to media reports, NEPRA issued its decision on the request submitted by power distribution companies (DISCOs) and forwarded it to the federal government for final approval. The …

The government has introduced a new monitoring framework to track financial risks associated with Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, fulfilling a commitment made to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Ministry of Finance sources said on Monday. According to the document, emergency liabilities under PPP projects have exceeded Rs472 billion, with Sindh carrying the highest financial risk of over Rs335 billion. …

The Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has recorded a historic increase in tax collection during the first half of the current fiscal year following recent reforms, officials said. According to the PRA spokesperson, the authority collected 149.5 billion rupees in total revenue during the first six months, marking a 35 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when 112.1 …

Pakistan recorded the highest-ever tax collection for the month of December, as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs1,427.1 billion in December 2025, prompting praise from Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb who directed the tax authority to further accelerate revenue collection efforts. Commending the performance of FBR field formations, the finance minister said the record-breaking collection reflected the success …

PTCL Group has approved an investment of Rs15 billion, equivalent to around $53 million, in U Microfinance Bank Limited (U Bank), marking one of the largest equity injections in Pakistan’s microfinance banking sector. PTCL, the parent company of U Bank, said the investment is aimed at supporting the bank’s sustained growth and strengthening its digital banking platform to improve outreach …

Small traders have declared calendar year 2025 as one of the worst years in Pakistan’s history in terms of business activity, investment, unemployment and inflation, citing prolonged political instability and economic uncertainty. According to traders, commercial activity during 2025 remained below 60 percent, while uncertainty about the future eroded investor confidence in local markets. They said no significant new commercial …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) failed to achieve its monthly and half-yearly tax collection targets for the first half of fiscal year 2025-26, official sources said on Thursday. According to the sources, FBR faced a revenue shortfall of approximately Rs21 billion in December 2025. Total net tax collections for the month stood at Rs1,425 billion against the target of …

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan chaired a high-level meeting on local manufacturing of vaccines, marking a major step toward health security and industrial self-reliance in Pakistan. The meeting was co-chaired by Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Mustafa Kamal. The meeting was attended by the federal secretary of the …

Revolutionary reforms by the Securities and Investment Finance Commission (SIIFC) have strengthened Pakistan’s financial and investment sectors, placing the country’s Islamic finance market on a trajectory toward global prominence. Pakistan’s Islamic financial market has emerged as a hub for unprecedented investment opportunities, with the government working to develop a stable and sustainable framework for the future. In 2025, Pakistan achieved …

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) Pakistan has entered into a strategic partnership with Zindigi (owned by JS Bank) to enhance the digital banking experience for customers across Pakistan. Under this agreement, DIB Pakistan will provide a Current Account facility for Zindigi, enabling users to seamlessly operate the account directly through the Zindigi app. Committed to simplifying access, enhancing security, and creating …

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal chaired a high-level review meeting on Monday to assess the progress of critical Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects under the Power and Water Resources Divisions. During the meeting, the Joint Chief Economist (Ops.) highlighted a massive financial throw-forward exceeding Rs1 trillion, contrasted against a total allocation of Rs122 …

Pakistan will present youth-driven startup ideas at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos this January, as part of a broader effort to project a positive and creative image of the country on the global stage, said Ikram Sehgal, Co-Chairman of the Pathfinder Group. Speaking at a conference organised by the Pathfinder Group at a local hotel, Sehgal said Pakistan …

Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited (FFC) has approved joining the Arif Habib-led consortium that has emerged as the successful bidder for Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL). According to media reports, the approval was granted by the FFC Board of Directors during a meeting held on December 24. Under the decision, FFC has been authorized to become part of the consortium …

Prominent Pakistani businessman Arif Habib has announced plans to expand the fleet of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to 38 planes initially, and eventually to 65 planes, following his successful bid to acquire the airline. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Habib praised the government for conducting the privatization process in a transparent manner, saying the sale of PIA will benefit …

Pakistan has received more than $3 billion in external loans during the first five months (July–November) of the current fiscal year 2025-26, according to sources in the Economic Affairs Division. The funding marks an increase of 13.64 percent, or $364 million, compared to the same period last year, when the country secured $2.66 billion in external loans. International financial institutions …

Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves have reached their highest level in history, reflecting renewed investor confidence and improving macroeconomic stability, according to officials and international agencies. Global rating agencies, including Gallup and D&B, have recognized the progress in Pakistan’s economy and confirmed a 19 percent increase in consumer confidence. Reports indicate that as of March 2022, Pakistan’s foreign reserves reached $21.1 …

Pakistan has attracted growing international attention in the global digital economy following what officials describe as a landmark initiative by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), aimed at strengthening capital markets and regulating the fast-evolving crypto sector. According to officials, the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority has taken a series of swift and proactive measures to establish a structured regulatory …

Pakistan’s economy has reached a significant milestone as the country’s foreign exchange reserves climbed to their highest level since March 2022, reflecting improved macroeconomic stability and growing investor confidence. According to the latest official figures, Pakistan’s total foreign exchange reserves have increased to $21.1 billion, marking a notable recovery after years of pressure on the external account. Analysts say the …

The federal government imported an additional 76,752 metric tons of sugar in November, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. During the first five months of the current fiscal year, a total of 308,142 tons of sugar have been imported, costing approximately Rs12.66 billion in November alone. Over the five-month period from July to November, the total expenditure …

The World Bank has approved $700 million in financing for Pakistan under its multi-year Public Resources for Inclusive Development — Multiphase Programmatic Approach (PRID-MPA), aimed at supporting macroeconomic stability, fiscal reforms, and improved service delivery. The program could provide up to $1.35 billion in total funding over its full implementation. Of the approved funds, $600 million will be allocated to …

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has released a market review report on agricultural pesticides and crop sprays, warning that the widespread presence of fake and adulterated products in Punjab and Sindh is damaging crops, causing financial losses to farmers, and distorting competition among manufacturers. According to the report, Pakistan is fully dependent on imported agricultural pesticides, as there is …

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended Friday’s session in the red as investors resorted to profit-taking ahead of the upcoming roll-over week, despite the benchmark index touching a fresh all-time intra-day high earlier in the day. “PSX witnessed a profit-taking day today as the market headed into the Roll-over week starting Monday,” said Ali Najib, Deputy Head of Trading at …

The promotion of the digital economy is a top priority of the government and concrete steps are being taken to advance and strengthen it, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja said on Friday while addressing a ceremony marking the first anniversary of easypaisa’s digital banking operations. Speaking as chief guest at easypaisa digital bank’s annual stakeholder …

Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, held a meeting with the Minister of Finance and Renewable Energy of Kuwait and Chairman of the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), Dr. Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem, to discuss ways to further strengthen the close and historic bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kuwait. During the meeting, both ministers emphasized the deep-rooted historical ties between the two …

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan held an important meeting today with a high-level Turkish business delegation. The meeting was attended by the CEO Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), CEO SMEDA, CEO Engineering Development Board (EDB), along with senior public and private-sector representatives. The agenda focused on Pakistan–Turkey joint ventures, investment opportunities, and …

A new Gallup–Gallani Research survey has revealed a major decline in Pakistan’s online shopping activity, with 91 percent of respondents saying they did not make a single online purchase in the past six months. The findings point to weakening consumer confidence in e-commerce amid inflation, delivery delays and trust issues. Among those who did shop online, 60 percent paid through …

The World Bank has approved a 400 million dollar loan for Pakistan, days after the IMF released its latest tranche for the country. In its statement, the World Bank said the programme focuses on providing clean drinking water and sanitation, which it called essential for the well-being of Pakistan’s children. The funds will also help urban centres in Punjab withstand …

The Government of Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today signed two programs: i) the Responsive, Ready, and Resilient Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Secondary Education in Punjab Program amounting to USD 107 Million (including USD 7 Million grant of ADF) and ii) Punjab Nursing and Health Workforce Reform Program amounting to USD 150 Million. Mr. Muhammad Humair Karim, …

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan met with H.E. Mohammed Motahar Alashabi today in Islamabad for a constructive discussion on enhancing Pakistan–Yemen trade and economic cooperation. During the meeting, H.E. Alashabi highlighted the historically warm relations between the two countries and stressed Yemen’s desire to expand commercial engagement with Pakistan. He noted that despite logistical and regional challenges in …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released $1.2 billion to Pakistan, confirmed by the State Bank of Pakistan. Officials said $1 billion of the tranche was provided under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), while $200 million came through climate financing. The IMF’s Executive Board approved the disbursement earlier this week under the EFF and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). …

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has carried out raids on the offices of three out-of-home advertising sector companies in Lahore as part of an investigation into alleged cartelisation and price fixing. According to CCP officials, the raids targeted two advertising associations and one advertising agency suspected of forming a cartel to fix commission rates, coordinate on bidding, and restrict …

The Institute of International Finance (IIF) has warned that the world is witnessing a fresh surge in debt levels, driven by rapid investment in artificial intelligence and clean energy technologies. In its latest report, the IIF stated that global debt increased by 26 trillion dollars during the first nine months of 2025. This pushed the world’s total debt to an …

The State Bank of Pakistan has released figures showing workers’ remittances for November 2025 at $3.18 billion, officials said. The November inflows were 7 percent lower than October 2025 but 9 percent higher compared to November 2024. According to the central bank, Saudi Arabia remained the top source of remittances in November, sending $753 million, followed by the United Arab …

Pakistan and Egypt have agreed on a joint economic roadmap aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and sectoral cooperation, officials confirmed. The development was facilitated through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to promote a new era of bilateral economic collaboration. Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a key meeting with Egypt’s Minister of Investment Hassan Al-Khatib during the …

BEIJING: Investment from the central government budget toward the work-for-relief programs has totaled 35.5 billion yuan (about 5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025, with these programs expected to create more than 1.1 million jobs for the low-income population, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The NDRC, China’s top economic planner, said these programs that incline toward rural …

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, held a detailed meeting on Thursday with a delegation of the auto industry to review key issues confronting the sector. Secretary Industries Saif Anjum and CEO Engineering Development Board Hammad Mansoor also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the participants discussed the challenges facing the auto sector, …

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, delivered a comprehensive and forward-looking statement at the Fourth Meeting of the D-8 Trade Ministers Council held in Cairo, urging member states to strengthen regional economic cooperation, operationalise the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), and embrace emerging opportunities in digital trade and sustainable development. According to the official statement of the Ministry, at …