Thursday, January 8, 2026

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss $2 billion JF-17 fighter jet deal amid deepening defence ties

Loan conversion could boost military cooperation as Islamabad seeks to expand arms exports

Pakistan and Bangladesh to resume direct flights on January 29

Biman Bangladesh Airlines to operate twice-weekly Dhaka-Karachi service after 14-year hiatus

Outgoing SECP chairman, two commisioners receive Rs90 million in financial benefits despite Senate committee’s directive

Three officials clear final settlements, including controversial salary increase, on their last working day, defying Senate Standing Committee's instructions

Delay likely in next NFC meeting as working groups struggle to finalize recommendations

Limited progress by working groups delays consolidation of recommendations, likely postponing next NFC session, originally scheduled for January 8 or 15

FBR to expand Track & Trace System to tiles, textiles, and Green Leaf Threshing units

New monitoring initiative aims to tackle tax evasion and boost revenue in tobacco, sugar, cement, tiles, and textile sectors

Pakistan may not need IMF support within six months, defence minister says, citing increased military equipment orders

Pakistan and Bangladesh air chiefs discuss JF-17 fighter jet procurement, training collaboration, and aerospace technology advancements

Pakistan equity market hits two-decade high with record Rs85 billion in daily turnover

Surge in turnover driven by local mutual fund buying and shift from fixed-income to equities

Govt freezes gas prices for six months despite Rs3 trillion circular debt

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik assures no increase in gas tariffs through winter, as efforts to tackle sector’s debt and losses continue

PSX rally powers ahead, KSE-100 closes above 185,000 mark

Benchmark index up over 2,800 points as buying broadens across banks, energy, cement and fertilisers

Govt to impose penalties, suspend import licences over non-compliance with localisation targets under new mobile policy

Mobile and Electronic Device Manufacturing Policy aims to shift Pakistan’s electronics sector from assembly-based operations toward deeper localisation and export-oriented manufacturing

Foreign investors pull $393 million from PSX despite strong 2025 market returns

SBP data show equity outflows exceed inflows in July–December FY26 as KSE-100 rises nearly 39% amid weak external indicators

US-based Nova Minerals confirms exploratory talks with Pakistan on antimony sourcing

Company says preliminary discussions have been held in relation to sourcing antimony concentrate for testing purposes, principally to assess plant capability and all discussions remain exploratory in nature

Pakistan’s public debt falls by Rs345 billion in first five months on lower external borrowing

SBP data shows federal government’s total debt, domestic and external, stands at Rs77.543 trillion at the end of November 2025

Salaried individuals contribute Rs266 billion in first half FY2025–26, nearly 10% of income tax collected

Non-corporate employees pay Rs117bn, corporate staff Rs82bn; provincial employees contribute Rs39bn, federal Rs27bn 

ADB urges tax reforms, simpler compliance to unlock fintech growth in Pakistan

Report calls for clearer tax laws, lower rates and coordinated regulation to boost financial inclusion