TOP STORIES
- Pakistan trade deficit surges 16% to $14.63 billion in 4MFY27
Imports rise 12.59% to $25.96 billion during July–October, outpacing export growth of 8.52% and widening the country’s external trade gap. - Pakistan bank deposits hit record high, near Rs40 trillion in September 2026
SBP data shows banking system deposits increased 15.90% year-on-year to Rs39.94 trillion, with personal accounts accounting for Rs18.35 trillion. - Pakistan calls for stronger trade financing and economic cooperation among OIC countries
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan urges Islamic countries to expand intra-OIC trade, promote Islamic financing, support small businesses and strengthen food security at the 42nd COMCEC session in Istanbul. - PM Shehbaz abolishes 80% export condition for SME financing
Government relaxes eligibility requirements for long-term loans as Pakistan allocates Rs300 billion under the Export Finance Scheme and Rs350 billion for long-term financing.
FINANCE
- IMF urges Pakistan to accelerate structural reforms beyond economic stabilisation
IMF, ADB, FCDO and UN representatives call for provincial tax reforms, lower business costs, energy sector restructuring, export competitiveness and improved governance to sustain economic growth. - ECC approves Rs275 billion for water projects, Rs54 billion for defence
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chairs meeting approving major supplementary grants, youth loan scheme revisions, gas supply arrangements and new import restrictions. - Pakistan, Bangladesh seek stronger economic ties, trade and investment cooperation
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and a high-level Bangladeshi delegation discuss economic reforms, debt management, textile cooperation and opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment. - Pakistan assumes G-24 chairmanship, Aurangzeb sets three key prioritiesFinance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb pledges to promote development-led growth, strengthen the representation of developing economies and reform the international financial system.
NATIONAL
- SPI inflation jumps 12.31% YoY for week ended November 5, 2026
Weekly inflation rises 0.29%, driven by a 54.18% increase in tomato prices, while LPG records the highest annual increase at 114.88%. - Pakistan cuts petrol price by Rs9.41 to Rs352.59 per litre for November 6, 2026
Government announces fourth consecutive daily fuel price reduction, bringing petrol down by Rs25.32 and diesel by Rs20.71 since Monday. - Pakistan plans 8.2% increase in oilseed production target for 2026-27
The government aims to raise canola, sunflower and rapeseed output to 883,732 tonnes by expanding cultivation across 682,140 hectares. - Dar orders strategic sugar reserves to protect domestic prices
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar directs authorities to safeguard national sugar stocks while allowing surplus exports without putting pressure on consumers.
TAXATION
- FBR grants Rs205.65 billion customs duty exemptions under Fifth Schedule
The Tax Expenditure Report 2026 shows customs duty exemptions fell to Rs205.65 billion in FY2024-25 from Rs379.75 billion a year earlier, covering industrial machinery, pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles and essential imports. - FBR sets documentation requirements for depreciation claims in Tax Year 2027
Taxpayers claiming depreciation, initial allowance or amortisation deductions must provide detailed asset information, acquisition costs, applicable rates and written-down values when filing income tax returns. - FBR allows market value deduction for agricultural produce used as business raw material in TY2027
Income Tax Rules 2002 allow cultivators and recipients of agricultural produce as rent-in-kind to claim market value deductions when using their produce in taxable businesses. - FBR allows business entertainment expense deductions under Tax Year 2027 rules
Income Tax Rules 2002 specify five categories of eligible entertainment expenditure, subject to business-related conditions and restrictions under Section 21(d).
MONEY & BANKING
- Pakistan bank deposits hit record high, near Rs40 trillion in September 2026SBP data shows banking system deposits increased 15.90% year-on-year to Rs39.94 trillion, with personal accounts accounting for Rs18.35 trillion.
- SBP foreign exchange reserves rise by $40 million to $21.56 billion
Total liquid reserves increase by $110 million in a week, while SBP-held reserves climb to $21.56 billion as import cover improves to 3.93 months. - HBL needs Rs6 billion to meet SBP’s new minimum capital requirement
Habib Bank Limited says statutory and other reserves are sufficient to bridge the capital shortfall as its balance sheet expands to Rs8.9 trillion. - Senate panel warns SBP of action over foreign exchange restrictions on parliamentarians
Senate Finance Committee demands review of personal appearance and PEP clearance requirements for lawmakers seeking foreign currency, expressing displeasure over the central bank’s response.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- Pakistan trade deficit surges 16% to $14.63 billion in 4MFY27Imports rise 12.59% to $25.96 billion during July–October, outpacing export growth of 8.52% and widening the country’s external trade gap.
- PM Shehbaz approves major reforms to modernise TDAP and boost exports
Government plans a 12-month reform programme to transform TDAP into a world-class trade promotion organisation, with digital platforms, AI and performance-based management. - PM Shehbaz abolishes 80% export condition for SME financingGovernment relaxes eligibility requirements for long-term loans as Pakistan allocates Rs300 billion under the Export Finance Scheme and Rs350 billion for long-term financing.
- BMG, BMP join hands to form Pakistan Businessmen Alliance for FPCCI Elections 2027-28
Zubair Motiwala and Mian Anjum Nisar announce a joint electoral platform, pledging to contest all available positions and defend Sindh’s representation under FPCCI’s provincial rotational system.
AUTOMOTIVE
- PM Shehbaz expected to announce Pakistan’s new Auto Policy today
National Auto Policy draft reaches final stage after the Prime Minister’s Office addresses 49 observations, while the government also considers establishing another steel mill. - Nishat Motors to announce Jaecoo J5 BEV price today in Pakistan
The company has scheduled the price announcement of its upcoming electric SUV for 12 PM on Friday, November 6, 2026, building anticipation among Pakistani EV buyers. - Airlink launches AirV electric bike brand with 11 models in Pakistan
Airlink enters Pakistan’s electric mobility sector with 11 electric bike models across six series, featuring advanced technology, lithium batteries and ranges of up to 200 kilometres. - Ghandhara delays T9 Hunter PHEV launch, D-Max to get ADAS features
Ghandhara Automobiles is waiting for the new auto policy before introducing upcoming models, while Ghandhara Industries plans to upgrade its D-Max pickup with advanced driver assistance technology within six months.
IT & TELECOM
- Pakistan, Russia seek IT partnerships in AI, cybersecurity and cloud computing
PSEB-led webinar brings technology companies from both countries together to pursue joint ventures, market access and commercial contracts as Pakistan’s IT exports reach a record $4.6 billion. - Google Maps gets full support for Apple’s iPhone Duo
Google Maps version 26.44.4 introduces a redesigned interface for Apple’s foldable device, making better use of its larger inner display. - Windows 11 update improves performance on PCs with 8GB RAM
Microsoft boosts memory efficiency and speeds up key Windows features, while Edge, Teams and Microsoft 365 also receive performance improvements. - Is TikTok really banned in Pakistan: PTA responds
The telecom regulator dismisses a circulating notification about an alleged TikTok ban as fake and misleading, urging citizens to rely on official channels.