TOP STORIES
- PIA suspends Riyadh flights amid escalating Middle East tensions
Pakistan International Airlines advises passengers to verify flight status before heading to the airport as regional security concerns disrupt air travel. - Shehbaz Sharif condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, vows Pakistan’s support
The prime minister reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to Saudi sovereignty and security, calling for an immediate halt to attacks on the Kingdom. - Brent crude oil surges above $105 as Middle East tensions escalate
International oil prices jump more than 5% as escalating Middle East tensions raise fears of further supply disruptions. - Govt raises electricity tariff by Rs1.11 per unit for August FCA
NEPRA approves a Rs1.1086 per-unit positive fuel charges adjustment for August 2026, to be recovered from eligible consumers in October bills.
FINANCE
- Government moves to simplify retailers’ tax registration in Pakistan
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reviews the retailers’ tax scheme, focusing on easier compliance, identifying unregistered businesses, and expanding the country’s tax base. - ECC approves investment of export development fund in government securities
The committee also approved several financial allocations and reforms covering SMEs, railways, elections, sports, agriculture and revenue automation. - Finance Ministry clarifies Rs10.1 trillion SOE debt figure
Ministry says the figure reflects total interest-bearing obligations of federal SOEs, not fresh bank borrowing - Pakistan, Bahrain agree to finalise FTA with GCC
The two countries also target doubling bilateral trade within three years while expanding cooperation in investment, energy, agriculture, IT and logistics.
NATIONAL
- SBP simplifies documentation requirements for housing loans
New rules limit property paperwork, allow lien-based security for housing finance up to Rs5 million and ease collateral requirements for renewable-energy financing. - Pakistan cuts petrol price by 66 paisas, raises diesel rate for October 10–12
The government sets petrol at Rs398.30 per litre and high-speed diesel at Rs396.24 under the daily fuel pricing mechanism. - Weekly inflation nears 12% as wheat flour, electricity and fuel prices surge
Pakistan’s year-on-year SPI inflation reaches 11.97% in the week ended October 8, 2026, while weekly prices rise 0.57%, according to PBS data. - PSO charges Rs1.33 per litre as dollar-rupee exchange rate adjustment on petrol
Pakistan’s petrol pricing formula includes an exchange rate adjustment of Rs1.33 per litre, taking the total petrol price to Rs398.96 per litre effective October 9, 2026.
TAXATION
- FBR can recover tax through district officer in Tax Year 2027
Section 138A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, allows the FBR to refer unpaid tax demands to a District Officer (Revenue), while Section 138B addresses tax liabilities involving bankrupt estates. - How FBR can recover tax through arrest of taxpayers in Tax Year 2027
Section 138 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, empowers tax authorities to recover unpaid dues through property attachment, receivership and detention, subject to the law’s prescribed conditions. - Return filing deadline is also tax payment due date: FBR
Section 137 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, clarifies when taxpayers must pay income tax, including minimum tax, and outlines provisions for extensions and instalments. - FBR moves to curb possible misuse of Export Facilitation Scheme
Customs officials and PCDMA agree to strengthen monitoring of duty-free chemical imports and link raw material consumption with export performance.
MONEY & BANKING
- SBP simplifies documentation requirements for housing loansNew rules limit property paperwork, allow lien-based security for housing finance up to Rs5 million and ease collateral requirements for renewable-energy financing.
- SBP receives $10.9 billion in workers’ remittances during Q1 FY27
Pakistan’s remittance inflows rise 14% to $10.9 billion in July–September, while September receipts reach $3.6 billion, supporting external-sector stability. - Meezan Bank approves 6,880 housing finance cases worth Rs49 billion under Ghar Ho Tu Apna scheme
The bank has received more than 27,800 applications worth Rs179 billion, while 1,000 families have received financing of Rs7.34 billion as of September 30, 2026. - Currency in circulation surges 12.32% to Rs11.94 trillion in FY26: SBP
Pakistan’s cash in circulation rises by Rs1.31 trillion in a year as digital payment transactions expand and QR-enabled merchants more than triple.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- Finance Minister vows local measures to address poultry sector issues
Muhammad Aurangzeb says Pakistan’s poultry industry supports 1.5 million families but exports remain below $4 million annually. - Karachi business leaders cry foul over deteriorating civic infrastructure
BMG Chairman Zubair Motiwala calls for urgent reforms, warning that crumbling roads, water shortages, unreliable utilities, corruption and rising crime are undermining Karachi’s industrial competitiveness and economic potential. - FPCCI demands electricity tariff below 9 cents to boost exports and industry
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh says a uniform reduction in industrial electricity rates, including for B3 and B4 consumers, is essential to increase production, strengthen exports and reduce import dependence. - PM Shehbaz orders measures to expand finance for housing, agriculture and SMEs
Prime minister directs authorities to remove lending bottlenecks and make the SME Portal operational by November to improve access to credit.
AUTOMOTIVE
- ECC raises customs duty on imported tyres and motorcycle parts
The government increases additional customs duty to protect local manufacturers, approves first-loss financing coverage for SMEs and farmers, and clears Rs57.85 billion in supplementary grants. - BYD Ocean MPV spotted testing with roof LiDAR ahead of year-end launch
BYD’s upcoming Ocean Series MPV has been spotted charging in China, featuring a conventional body design, sliding rear doors and advanced driver-assistance technology. - Toyota introduces exchange program for 2027 facelifted Corolla with old model
Toyota Clifton has announced a limited-time exchange offer, allowing existing Toyota owners to exchange their vehicles for the new 2027 facelifted Corolla with a convenient key-to-key process. - Suzuki e-Sky uses BYD battery to cut electric vehicle costs
Suzuki’s newly launched e-Sky relies on BYD’s LFP battery technology while targeting the most affordable position in Japan’s Kei EV market.
IT & TELECOM
- Google confirms Fitbit Edge launch date for October 12
Google has officially teased the Fitbit Edge fitness tracker, with leaked specifications pointing to an AMOLED display, seven-day battery life and Gemini-powered personalized coaching. - CMF Speaker S and Speaker M set to launch on October 12
Nothing’s CMF sub-brand is preparing to expand its audio lineup with two new speakers, featuring the brand’s familiar design language. - Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max gets emergency AT&T carrier update
The latest carrier bundle update targets iPhone 18 Pro Max users running iOS 27.2 beta, following reports of network outages affecting calls, messages and mobile data. - Apple confirms October 13 event for new smart home productsThe “Welcome home” event is expected to feature a new HomePad smart display, HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K, with all three devices reportedly supporting the next-generation Siri AI.