TOP STORIES
- Pakistan offers Saudi Arabia tax-free oil storage facilities to attract energy investment
New tax-neutral bonded policy allows Saudi companies to maintain commercial oil reserves in Pakistan, while Islamabad seeks investment in storage, refineries and petroleum infrastructure. - PTCL loses Rs1 billion revenue due to network closures in AJK, KP
PTCL management says group revenue remained broadly stagnant quarter-on-quarter despite nearly 2% subscriber growth, as network disruptions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa affected business performance. - SBP doubles minimum capital requirement for local banks to Rs20 billion
Arif Habib Limited analysts expect listed banks to maintain sufficient capital buffers under the revised framework, with no material impact on dividend payouts. - SBP introduces new financing framework for small businesses and farmers
The central bank allows banks to partner with microfinance institutions and non-bank lenders to expand credit access, with financing limits of up to Rs5 million for small enterprises and Rs2 million for agricultural borrowers.
FINANCE
- Pakistan inflation set to hit 10.5% in October, finance ministry warns
The Finance Ministry projects inflation between 9.5% and 10.5% as rising global energy prices, food supplies and geopolitical tensions pose risks to economic stability. - Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss trade, investment and economic cooperationFinance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Saudi Ambassador Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy explore investment opportunities in agriculture, minerals, mining and other key sectors.
- Aurangzeb urges faster SME and farm loans as financing reaches Rs1.15 trillion for SMEs
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb urges banks and implementing agencies to accelerate loan disbursements as financing expands across small businesses, farmers, housing and electric vehicles. - Pakistan brings cryptocurrency trading under anti-money laundering laws
The National Executive Committee approves the inclusion of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority in the Anti-Money Laundering Act framework to strengthen oversight of virtual assets.
NATIONAL
- PIA to resume Karachi-UK flights in January, induct four aircraft
Defence Parliamentary Secretary Osama Sarwar says two additional aircraft will join the national airline’s fleet in January to support operations from Karachi. - Govt keeps petrol price unchanged, raises diesel by Rs2.29 per litre
Petrol remains at Rs377.91 per litre, while High Speed Diesel rises to Rs402.96 for October 31 to November 2. - Pakistan’s annual SPI inflation hits 11.32% as food and energy costs surge
Weekly inflation declines 0.35%, but LPG, electricity, petrol and diesel record sharp year-on-year increases, according to PBS. - Pakistan raises diesel price by 85 paisas per litre, keeps petrol unchanged
High-speed diesel rises to Rs400.67 per litre under the daily fuel pricing mechanism, while petrol remains at Rs377.91.
TAXATION
- World Bank approves $150 million programme to boost property tax collection in Sindh
Sindh PREP aims to increase Karachi’s annual property tax revenue from $8.5 million to $85 million, with 70% of collections reinvested in municipal infrastructure and public services. - FBR to reward e-intermediaries for filing returns of new taxpayers
Section 227BA of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 allows the FBR to offer cash rewards, rebates, tax credits and other incentives to eligible e-intermediaries and specified classes of persons. - FBR offers rewards to persons reporting tax evasion in TY2027
Section 227B of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 empowers the FBR to reward individuals providing credible, evidence-backed information leading to the detection or recovery of evaded taxes. - FBR prescribes methods for serving tax notices on non-filers and others in TY2027
Section 218 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 allows tax authorities to serve notices through personal delivery, registered post, courier, court procedures and electronic means.
MONEY & BANKING
- SBP raises SME financing to Rs1.11 trillion, announces Rs50m collateral-free loan limit
Governor Jameel Ahmad says SME financing has more than doubled since June 2024, while the SME Connect Portal will allow businesses to apply for loans online from November 1. - SBP issues draft open banking regulations, seeks public feedback
Proposed framework aims to enable secure financial data sharing, promote digital payments and improve access to financing for SMEs, with feedback invited by November 30. - UBL pays Rs35.71 million in SBP penalties during 9M 2026
United Bank Limited’s total regulatory penalties fell to Rs36.53 million in the first nine months of 2026, while its profit after tax rose to Rs115.2 billion. - SBP makes SMEConnect mandatory for business financing from November 1
Small and medium enterprises will have to submit financing applications through the centralised digital platform, which also enables real-time tracking.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss boosting bilateral trade and investmentCommerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and newly appointed Saudi Ambassador Dr Rajeh Albugamy discuss investment, agricultural cooperation and early implementation of the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement.
- SMEDA partners with Alibaba.com to help 2,000 Pakistani SMEs access global markets
Initiative targets training for 10,000 businesses, offers financial support of up to Rs150,000 per eligible enterprise and facilitates digital onboarding on the global B2B platform. - Pakistan plans fast-track cotton seed approval to revive production
The government is considering reducing approval time for imported cotton seed from seven years to 12–18 months as it targets higher yields, lower costs and improved farmer profitability. - Pakistan moves to improve export finance for SMEs
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani calls for faster loan processing, improved export credit support and reduced business costs to help small exporters access international markets.
AUTOMOTIVE
- Toyota developing new 1.5L hybrid engine with 15% better fuel economy
Toyota’s next-generation 1.5-litre engine will power future hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, potentially delivering fuel consumption as low as 3.0L/100km. - Chery’s new Emta electric K-Car revealed with rugged off-road design
Patent images reveal production-ready details of Chery-backed Emta’s upcoming electric kei car, including a rugged softroader version set to challenge BYD Racco in Japan. - Buraq Automobiles to locally assemble Benelli premium bikes in Pakistan
Buraq Automobile has announced local assembly of Benelli motorcycles in Pakistan, but the company has yet to reveal which models will be assembled first. - Jaecoo J5 BEV price reveal set for November 6 in Pakistan
Omoda and Jaecoo Pakistan has teased the upcoming all-electric SUV, confirming the date for its price announcement as anticipation builds around its local launch.
IT & TELECOM
- Samsung reportedly developing a massive 17-inch foldable tablet
A tipster claims Samsung has started work on a device that could expand from an 8-inch tablet into a 17-inch display, although its launch timeline remains unknown. - Strava integrates Google Gemini to offer personalised workout insights
Subscribers in the US can connect their Strava accounts to Gemini to analyse training performance, compare race times and explore workout trends. - TikTok removes 23.2 million videos in Pakistan during Q2 2026
The platform says 99.7% of violating videos in Pakistan were detected proactively, while more than 519,000 videos were restored after further review. - PTA inspects 184 mobile sites across Pakistan to improve telecom services
The latest inspections bring the nationwide total to more than 900 sites, with authorities identifying power, equipment, battery and fibre-optic infrastructure issues.