August 28, 2026

Business

Stock market data screen, capital market reforms

Capital Market Capitalization Boom: SECP Structural Reforms Yield Over Rs20 Billion via H1 IPO Run

KARACHI / ISLAMABAD — Driven by aggressive capital market structural simplifications, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has successfully broken the country’s long-standing, singular dependency on commercial banking credit for corporate expansion. Official data finalized for the first half of 2026 reveals that nine major corporate entities successfully raised over Rs20 billion ($71 […]

Capital Market Capitalization Boom: SECP Structural Reforms Yield Over Rs20 Billion via H1 IPO Run Read More »

Shipping containers at port, import duty news

Import Regulatory Duty Capped: Government slashes Maximum Tariffs to 20% Under Finance Act Rollout

ISLAMABAD — The federal government has officially issued the official gazette notification activating the Finance Act 2026-27, bringing sweeping customs duty and regulatory rollbacks into immediate effect today. In line with the National Tariff Policy 2025-30, the FBR has issued SRO 1064(I)2026, aggressively capping the maximum regulatory duty (RD) rate—which previously stood at 50%—down to

Import Regulatory Duty Capped: Government slashes Maximum Tariffs to 20% Under Finance Act Rollout Read More »

Industrial export goods at port

Industrial Export Refund: Chambers Demand Immediate Clearance of PKR 327 Billion Backlog from FBR

ISLAMABAD — Pushing for immediate cash-flow relief exactly one week after the formal passage of the federal budget, a high-level corporate delegation has presented a crucial roadmap to Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani. The apex trade representatives have strongly urged the state to clear outstanding refund backlogs amounting to a staggering PKR

Industrial Export Refund: Chambers Demand Immediate Clearance of PKR 327 Billion Backlog from FBR Read More »

Oil barrels representing petroleum fund

Petroleum Stabilization Fund: Finance Ministry Notifies Fresh Account to Shield Consumers from Oil Shocks

ISLAMABAD — In a major move to protect the public from global energy volatility, the Ministry of Finance has officially notified the establishment of the Petroleum Prices Stabilization Fund. Following a formal directive from the federal cabinet, all proceeds channeled into this strategic safety net will be parked under the “Special Deposit Fund” within the

Petroleum Stabilization Fund: Finance Ministry Notifies Fresh Account to Shield Consumers from Oil Shocks Read More »

WHERE BUSINESS LEADERS SHAPE THE FUTURE (3) | IBM technology summit

Shaping the Future of Fintech: Top Financial Leaders Brainstorm AI Innovation and Governance at IBM Technology Summit 2026

The financial sector in Pakistan is standing at a massive crossroads, where artificial intelligence is no longer just a futuristic concept but a core driver of modern banking. Highlighting this shift, a powerful panel of Pakistan’s top financial visionaries recently took center stage at the highly anticipated IBM Technology Summit 2026. The exclusive session, titled

Shaping the Future of Fintech: Top Financial Leaders Brainstorm AI Innovation and Governance at IBM Technology Summit 2026 Read More »

Electric vehicles at charging station

Electric Vehicle Tax Holiday: Finance Committee Approves Total Zero FED Scheme for Sub-$75k Imported EVs

ISLAMABAD — In a major move to rapidly accelerate the country’s green energy transition, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance has formally finalized explicit custom updates for the Finance Bill 2026. Led by Chairman Syed Naveed Qamar, the parliamentary panel has officially signed off on a 0% Federal Excise Duty (FED) structure for all

Electric Vehicle Tax Holiday: Finance Committee Approves Total Zero FED Scheme for Sub-$75k Imported EVs Read More »

Cargo ship at sea near Strait of Hormuz

Hormuz Shipping Reopens: Pakistan and Qatar Broker Crucial 60-Day Peace Waiver for Global Trade

ISLAMABAD / BURGENSTOCK — Following intense, high-level diplomatic mediation at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland, Pakistan and Qatar have successfully brokered a monumental joint-diplomatic breakthrough. Under the newly established framework, the US and Iran have agreed to an immediate 60-day operational waiver to restore absolute stability to the regional trade lines. The core agreement guarantees

Hormuz Shipping Reopens: Pakistan and Qatar Broker Crucial 60-Day Peace Waiver for Global Trade Read More »

Vehicles at import processing facility

Vehicle Import Duty Reduction: Commerce Ministry Proposes Sweeping Engine Tariff Cuts Across All Slabs

ISLAMABAD — In a major development expected to dramatically shake up the domestic auto market, the Ministry of Commerce has briefed the parliamentary finance panel on a comprehensive plan to rationalize import duties across multiple vehicle engine capacities. Under the newly tabled framework, total cumulative duties and taxes on standard 1800cc cars will plummet from

Vehicle Import Duty Reduction: Commerce Ministry Proposes Sweeping Engine Tariff Cuts Across All Slabs Read More »

Person working on laptop, software export tax news

IT Export Concessional Tax: Government Secures 0.25% Fixed Regime Until June 2029 for Software Houses

ISLAMABAD / KARACHI — Providing massive long-term certainty to the country’s booming digital ecosystem, the final draft tracking of the FY2026-27 budget confirms that the concessional 0.25% final tax rate on IT export earnings is officially secured until June 2029. The decision comes right as data reveals Pakistan’s IT and telecom exports surged by 20%

IT Export Concessional Tax: Government Secures 0.25% Fixed Regime Until June 2029 for Software Houses Read More »

Pakistan and Uzbekistan flags with trucks

Central Asian Transit Trade: Pakistan and Uzbekistan Open Direct Trucking Routes via Afghanistan

PESHAWAR / TASHKENT — In a major boost to regional trade diversification, the first commercial cargo fleet under the Trans-Regional Transit Trade agreement has successfully moved from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, arriving in Peshawar via the land route through Afghanistan. Utilizing the international TIR convention for seamless border customs clearance, the new corridor slashes regional freight transport

Central Asian Transit Trade: Pakistan and Uzbekistan Open Direct Trucking Routes via Afghanistan Read More »