TOP STORIES
- 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. - 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. - PM Shehbaz announces winter energy plan, vows uninterrupted LNG, LPG and oil supplies
Government reviews energy requirements every two to three days, ends LPG allocation monopoly and extends Rs28 billion fuel subsidy programme until December. - SBP imposes Rs804 million penalty on National Bank of Pakistan
NBP faces a sharp increase in regulatory penalties as its nine-month after-tax profit falls 26.6% to Rs48.9 billion.
FINANCE
- ECC approves Rs275 billion for water projects, Rs54 billion for defenceFinance 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.
- 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.
NATIONAL
- 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. - Pakistan cuts petrol price by Rs7.06, diesel by Rs3.71 for November 5, 2026
Government announces relief for petroleum consumers as international fuel benchmarks decline, reducing petrol to Rs362 and high-speed diesel to Rs387.81 per litre. - SSGC announces winter gas timings as Pakistan restricts household supplies
Sui Southern Gas Company introduces three daily gas supply windows for households as winter demand rises, while SNGPL also imposes restrictions in Punjab, Islamabad and KP. - PM Shehbaz announces winter energy plan, vows uninterrupted LNG, LPG and oil suppliesGovernment reviews energy requirements every two to three days, ends LPG allocation monopoly and extends Rs28 billion fuel subsidy programme until December.
TAXATION
- RTO Hyderabad intercepts over 30 vehicles over missing digital invoices
The enforcement drive identifies an estimated tax impact exceeding Rs30 million, with show-cause notices issued to businesses over sales tax compliance violations. - FBR explains tax valuation rules for employee salary benefits in Tax Year 2027
Income Tax Rules 2002 prescribe how employer-provided accommodation, vehicles and other benefits are valued for calculating employees’ taxable salary. - FBR sets withholding tax rules for bonus shares in Tax Year 2027
Section 236Z requires companies to withhold 10% of bonus shares and deposit the applicable tax within 15 days of closure of books. - FBR defines advance tax on property purchase for Tax Year 2027
Section 236K of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 outlines advance tax collection requirements for property buyers, transferees and overseas Pakistanis.
MONEY & BANKING
- 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 parliamentariansSenate Finance Committee demands review of personal appearance and PEP clearance requirements for lawmakers seeking foreign currency, expressing displeasure over the central bank’s response.
- Pakistan, Mastercard discuss digital payments and cashless economy
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb meets Mastercard delegation to explore cooperation in financial inclusion, cross-border remittances and cybersecurity.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
- 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. - Aurangzeb urges exporters to adapt to changing global economy
Finance Minister calls for innovation, technology adoption and value addition to strengthen Pakistan’s textile exports and international competitiveness. - Pakistan, Türkiye agree to boost trade, Turkish investment in Karachi industrial park
Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat agrees to send a delegation to Pakistan to review bilateral trade mechanisms, while both countries discuss mango exports, Basmati rice and industrial investment. - PM Shehbaz sets Rs1,500 billion loan target for agriculture and SMEs by 2027
The prime minister directs banks, the State Bank and FBR to improve access to financing for farmers, small businesses, exporters and homebuyers, while Rs511 billion in housing loans has been approved under the Apna Ghar Programme.
AUTOMOTIVE
- Leapmotor says buyers no longer distinguish between cars and SUVs
Chinese automaker Leapmotor believes affordability is reshaping Australia’s automotive market, creating new opportunities for its B05 electric hatchback to compete with both passenger cars and SUVs. - Toyota Celica return confirmed as GR Sports car eyes 2027 WRC debut
Toyota Gazoo Racing has officially confirmed the Celica name for its upcoming rally programme, strengthening expectations of a new road-going sports coupe with advanced performance technology. - Kia Pakistan announces deadline for Sportage L promotional offer
Kia Pakistan is offering discounts of up to Rs800,000 on the Sportage L Hybrid lineup, with promotional prices available until November 30, 2026. - Volare Motors partners with Chinese EV maker to launch electric vehicles in PakistanValore Motor Corporation signs a strategic manufacturing agreement with KUCA NEV to introduce next-generation new energy vehicles, beginning with the Valore Quad.
IT & TELECOM
- 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. - Nvidia RTX 5080 24GB may launch at CES 2027 with $1,500 price tag
The rumoured graphics card could be announced in January, but limited availability may delay its actual market launch.