Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called for reducing direct taxes across all sectors in the upcoming federal budget, emphasizing the need to support business, attract investment, and accelerate economic growth. Read More: Pakistan Pushes for Tax Relief to Boost Growth Speaking at the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 in Islamabad, the prime minister said the government must shift its focus […]
Pakistan economy
FBR orders businesses to link with digital tax system in a week
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed a broad range of businesses and service providers to link their operations with its digital tax system within one week, according to a newly issued notification aimed at strengthening documentation of economic activity. Read More: FBR rolls out AI-driven audit for seven million returns Under the directive, […]
Pakistan’s government debt rises to Rs78.5 trillion by December 2025
KARACHI: Pakistan’s government debt increased by Rs641 billion, or 0.82%, by the end of December 2025, reflecting ongoing borrowing needs and challenges to fiscal consolidation, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Total government debt reached Rs78.5 trillion, up from Rs77.8 trillion in June. The debt stock rose 1.3% month-on-month and […]
Gold surge reflects deepening global and domestic uncertainty
The sharp rise in gold prices over the past two years has evolved from a market trend into a broader signal of mounting global and domestic uncertainty, reshaping investor behaviour across the world and in Pakistan. Read More: Gold and silver prices surge in Pakistan amid global market rally International bullion prices crossed the landmark level of […]
Salaried class tops tax contributions in first seven months of FY26
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s salaried class has once again emerged as the single largest contributor to income tax, surpassing exporters, retailers, and property buyers and sellers combined, according to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) data cited by The News. Read More: Government plans relief for salaried class, industries next budget In the July–January period of the current […]
Pakistan assures Japanese automobile manufacturers on investment concerns
ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar on Tuesday assured Japanese automobile manufacturers that the government would address their concerns to strengthen and sustain industrial cooperation, reiterating Pakistan commitment to creating an enabling environment for long-term investment. Read More: SAPM assures Japanese investors of proactive support, industrial reforms Speaking at […]
Debt servicing outpaces defence, development spending in H1 of CFY26
ISLAMABAD: Debt servicing in Pakistan continued to outstrip spending on defence and development during the first half of the current fiscal year (July–December CFY26), raising concerns over fiscal pressures under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, The News reported on Saturday. Read More: Pakistan hits milestone by repaying debt early According to data released by the Ministry […]
Pakistan economy set for two-year stabilisation
State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad said the country’s economy will remain in recovery and stabilisation for the next two years. He emphasized that Pakistan will avoid pursuing unsustainable high growth under current conditions. Ahmad said the government and SBP policies will decide if the ongoing $7 billion IMF loan program will be Pakistan’s […]
Electricity consumers likely to face higher charges from April
Electricity consumers across Pakistan are estimated to pay around 42 paise per unit in additional charges from April to June, mainly due to higher capacity payments made to power producers during the second quarter of the current fiscal year. Read More: Electricity Tariff Raised for Three Months The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has scheduled […]
Aurangzeb assures pharmaceutical companies sector of policy consistency
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday assured representatives of multinational pharmaceutical companies of the government’s commitment to maintaining policy consistency and strengthening governance to support the healthcare sector. Read More: Pakistan shifts focus from aid to trade, says Aurangzeb The assurance was given during a meeting with a delegation of the Pharma Bureau, led by its […]