TOP STORIES
- Vehicle ownership not required for PM fuel subsidy, says minister
Attaullah Tarar says eligible citizens can register using a basic mobile phone as more than 2.2 million people sign up for the targeted fuel relief scheme. - Pakistan ends Government-centred power buying as first 400MW wheeling auction opens
New wheeling mechanism allows eligible large consumers to buy electricity directly from power producers under Pakistan’s competitive power market reforms. - Aurangzeb warns protests could cost Pakistan Rs120bn a day
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says disruptions could affect services, industry, agriculture, exports and government revenue as Pakistan seeks to sustain economic growth. - Foreign investors repatriate $558m in profit, dividend in 2MFY27: SBP
Foreign investors repatriated $557.6 million in profits and dividends during July-August FY2026-27, down 13.4 per cent year on year.
FINANCE
- Aurangzeb warns protests could cost Pakistan Rs120bn a dayFinance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says disruptions could affect services, industry, agriculture, exports and government revenue as Pakistan seeks to sustain economic growth.
- Foreign investors repatriate $558m in profit, dividend in 2MFY27: SBPForeign investors repatriated $557.6 million in profits and dividends during July-August FY2026-27, down 13.4 per cent year on year.
- SBP forex reserves reach $21.4bn as PM Shehbaz hails economic milestone
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomes the rise in SBP-held foreign exchange reserves to $21.4 billion, citing stronger remittances, services exports and external stability. - Aurangzeb pitches Pakistan’s economic turnaround to global investors in London
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb outlines Pakistan’s reform agenda, investment opportunities and shift towards exports and private-sector-led growth.
NATIONAL
- Government raises petrol price by Rs4.61, cuts HSD by Rs1.96 for September 22
Petrol rises to Rs393.75 per litre while HSD falls to Rs422.80 as Pakistan implements its new daily petroleum pricing mechanism. - EU and Pakistan sign €65mn agreements to boost investment and resilience
The financing package targets foreign investment, renewable energy, climate resilience, legal access and a stronger business environment across Pakistan. - Vehicle ownership not required for PM fuel subsidy, says ministerAttaullah Tarar says eligible citizens can register using a basic mobile phone as more than 2.2 million people sign up for the targeted fuel relief scheme.
- Pakistan ends Government-centred power buying as first 400MW wheeling auction opensNew wheeling mechanism allows eligible large consumers to buy electricity directly from power producers under Pakistan’s competitive power market reforms.
TAXATION
- FBR sets minimum value of vegetable oil and ghee for sales tax
FBR links minimum taxable values to national retail prices and sets separate rates for three categories of oil and ghee brands. - FBR allows 95% input tax adjustment for oil and ghee manufacturers
The facility applies to compliant oil and ghee businesses paying sales tax at retail prices and remains available until November 30, 2026. - FBR declares 29 categories of goods as perishable under Customs law
FBR replaces its 1999 notification with a revised list of 29 perishable goods and introduces an exception for properly preserved and packaged edible products. - FBR extends return filing deadline for ST and FED
Taxpayers now have until September 25 to file sales tax and Federal Excise Duty returns for August 2026, subject to timely payment.
MONEY & BANKING
- SECP approves Shaamilkar app for Shariah-compliant SME financing
The digital platform will provide eligible small businesses with Shariah-compliant financing of up to Rs3 million. - FCC dismisses NBP appeal, pensioners entitled to government pension increases
The Federal Constitutional Court’s decision could have financial implications for NBP, although the final impact will depend on the detailed judgment. - SBP clarifies Rs10 banknote discontinuation reports
State Bank of Pakistan says social media reports about the withdrawal and exchange deadline of the Rs10 note are baseless. - Pakistan’s foreign reserves jump to $26.79 billion as Eurobond funds arrive
SBP reserves climb by $3.06 billion in one week, while commercial banks also report a modest increase in their foreign currency holdings.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- Pakistan’s food exports rise 7.67% to $833 million in two months
Rice shipments lead growth as Basmati exports surge more than 53%, while food imports also record a modest increase. - SECP clears adjudication backlog, imposes Rs4.73bn in penaltiesPakistan’s corporate regulator concludes 573 cases and issues 117 orders involving State-Owned Enterprises as it clears its adjudication backlog.
- Pakistan’s textile exports climb 5.55% to $3.38bn in 2MFY27
Pakistan’s textile exports rise to $3.38 billion in July-August FY2026-27, supported by stronger knitwear, garments, towels and cotton yarn shipments. - Karachi industrial park nears launch as government finalises export incentivesAhad Cheema reviews performance-based land lease plan aimed at attracting export-oriented industries and accelerating industrial investment.
AUTOMOTIVE
- Pakistan targets $100 billion exports as government prepares new auto policy
Ahsan Iqbal says rising global petroleum prices are affecting Pakistan, while IT exports, remittances and FBR revenues show growth. - Pakistan pushes auto industry toward localization and EV growth
Government highlights competitive manufacturing, technology adoption and electric mobility as key priorities for the future of Pakistan’s automotive sector. - Pakistan’s electric scooty boom faces after-sales service crisis
ISLAMABAD, September 20, 2026: Pakistan’s rapidly expanding electric scooty market is facing growing concerns over after-sales service, spare-parts availability, battery reliability and repair costs, raising questions about the long-term ownership experience for consumers. - Capital Smart Motors offers Forthing Friday SUV on zero-interest installment plan
Customers can bring the Forthing Friday home with 50 percent down payment and the remaining amount payable over 12 months.
IT & TELECOM
- iPhone 18 Pro face ID bug reportedly causes random reboots
Some iPhone 18 Pro users are reportedly experiencing freezes and unexpected reboots after failed Face ID attempts on iOS 27. - GTA 6 community map V16 adds more roads and buildings
The latest GTA 6 community map update adds roads, buildings and other details while revising the estimated size of Leonida. - Realme 16 Pro Harry Potter Edition Launches With Colour-Changing Crest
Realme has officially launched the 16 Pro Harry Potter Edition with a unique light-sensing colour-changing Hogwarts crest and a limited-edition gift box. - Apple weekend deals bring discounts on AirPods, MacBooks and iPads
Apple products including AirPods, Apple Watch, MacBooks, iPads and the MagSafe Battery are available with discounts in the latest weekend deals.