Pakistan, ADB seal $730m deals for power grid expansion and SOE reforms
Financing includes $330m for transmission upgrades and $400m to accelerate state owned enterprise restructuring
Pakistan’s refineries accuse OGRA of tilting market toward imports, undermining local fuel production
Major refineries report lack of clarity in Product Review Meeting, making it increasingly difficult to plan HSD production, manage inventories, and schedule dispatches, especially during periods of downward pricing trends; demand clear regulatory directions on diesel upliftment
Federal Cabinet approves gas allocation for three fertiliser plants to ensure uninterrupted urea production
Fauji Fertiliser to receive 104 mmcfd of raw gas, Fatima Fertiliser 68 mmcfd, and Agritech 50 mmcfd, with processed gas amounts at 80 mmcfd, 52 mmcfd, and 38 mmcfd, respectively
IMF closely monitored PIA sale as key test for Pakistan’s privatisation reforms, says advisor
Country targets handover of airline by April; Deal includes Rs 10 billion cash upfront for govt, 25% stake retained
Pakistan’s trade gap with neighboring countries widens by 39% to $6.22 billion in 5MFY26 as exports nosedive
Pakistan’s exports to China fall 6.84% to $982.98 million, Afghanistan drop 94.72% to $210.56 million; exports to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also decline; imports from neighboring countries surge by 22% to $7.856 billion
PM directs FBR, Power Division to distribute solar panels seized by Customs for designated cities
Shehbaz Sharif pushes for 40 MW Gwadar power plant to be recognized as strategic, urging Cabinet approval within two weeks
Foreign assistance to Pakistan surpasses $3 billion in first five months of FY2025-26
Total foreign assistance includes bilateral and multilateral loans, grants, and Naya Pakistan Certificates investment
Religious leaders allege SBP granted immunity to banks from 2027 constitutional deadline to end riba
Over 60 religio-political leaders, including Mufti Taqi Usmani, Mufti Muneeb and Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, call for full implementation to fulfil the constitutional commitment to make the financial system interest-free by the end of 2027, emphasising that granting immunity to banks goes against the Constitution
PSX remains range-bound as cautious sentiment persists; PIA stake bids in focus
KSE-100 Index dips slightly by 0.08%, with investor attention on PIA’s 75% stake auction
ECC approves largest-ever spectrum auction, paves way for 5G rollout in Pakistan
ECC’s decision follows consultations with stakeholders; PTA to initiate telecom operator negotiations post-cabinet approval
Sindh raises concerns over NFC terms, urges constitutional alignment in financial allocations
CM Murad Ali Shah objects to inclusion of certain financial terms in National Finance Commission's terms of reference, stressing constitutional limits and provincial rights
Pakistan strikes $4 billion deal to sell weapons to Libyan force, officials say
Deal, one of Pakistan's largest-ever weapons sales, spread over 2-1/2 years, includes JF-17 jets; UN arms embargo complicates Libya's military procurement
Withholding tax from salaried individuals increases by 54.7% to Rs214.2 billion in H1 FY25
Withholding tax from contracts up 39%, imports rise 10.9%, and telephone services increase 24.1%, reflecting better enforcement and compliance
Millat Tractors secures Africa export territory under new agreement
Company to export tractors under own brand alongside MF-branded exports via AGCO
IMF expects Pakistan’s federal tax revenue to stagnate for next five years
FBR collections rose to 10.3% of GDP in FY25 but missed target, while provinces expected to lift tax share from 0.9% to 1.6% by FY28
